--- title: "Tax lien: Definition and Sources | Tax Glossary" description: "A federal tax lien is the government's legal claim against a person's property when a tax debt goes unpaid; it is a claim, not a seizure." url: https://wallacecpa.multisites.ai/glossary/tax-lien publisher: Wallace CPA phone: +1-877-682-1171 quote: https://wallacecpa.multisites.ai/contact --- IRS notices # Tax lien A federal tax lien is the government's legal claim against a person's property when a tax debt goes unpaid; it is a claim, not a seizure. A federal tax lien secures the government's interest in your property. It covers real estate, personal property and financial assets. It exists after the IRS assesses the tax, sends a bill and you do not pay. A lien is a claim. It does not take the property by itself. That step is a [tax levy](https://wallacecpa.multisites.ai/glossary/tax-levy). A lien can still make it hard to sell or borrow against property. Paying the debt, an [installment agreement](https://wallacecpa.multisites.ai/glossary/installment-agreement) or an [offer in compromise](https://wallacecpa.multisites.ai/glossary/offer-in-compromise) may resolve it, depending on the facts. The [IRS problems page](https://wallacecpa.multisites.ai/services/irs-problems#liens-and-levies) explains the process. Talk to a CPA about your own case before you act. [Wallace CPA can helpIRS problem resolution](https://wallacecpa.multisites.ai/services/irs-problems) ## Related terms - [Tax levy](https://wallacecpa.multisites.ai/glossary/tax-levy) - [Installment agreement](https://wallacecpa.multisites.ai/glossary/installment-agreement) - [Offer in compromise](https://wallacecpa.multisites.ai/glossary/offer-in-compromise) ## Sources 1. [IRS: Understanding a federal tax lien](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/understanding-a-federal-tax-lien) ## Talk to Wallace CPA Call the Southlake office and say what you need: a return, an IRS letter, your books or a new business. Have the notice or last year's return nearby if you have one. [Call (877) 682-1171](tel:+1-877-682-1171)[Send a message](https://wallacecpa.multisites.ai/contact) 180 State Street, Suite 225, Southlake, TX 76092