Release a Tax Lien Quickly

Tax liens can be scary. Imagine having a record of missed tax payments on your credit report, which banks and lenders will no doubt see and take against you. Consequently, you might find it more difficult to get approved for a mortgage.

Tax liens are public documents, so everyone—including credit bureaus—can search for existing liens in the database. These documents get included in credit reports almost immediately and do not get removed unless the liens are fully paid. Even if after you have paid your dues, it will take seven years before liens disappear from your credit report completely.

The IRS, however, releases liens much more quickly at 30 days. If the IRS fails to meet the 30-day period, the taxpayer has the right to ask for a Certificate of Release of Federal Tax Lien via phone or mail. To request for the certificate, enclose a formal letter of request for release and any proof of payment of the lien, namely an IRS receipt.

The sooner you take care of tax liens, the less impact they’ll have on your credit score. You can send a copy of the certificate to the three major credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. With any luck, they can remove the liens from your credit history and update your credit report accordingly earlier than expected.