If the debt is $10,000 or more (up from $5,000 before the IRS Fresh Start program), then the IRS will file a federal tax lien as early as ten days after you receive your notice.
In the state of California, once a state tax lien is recorded, the lien becomes a public record.
But there are risks to tax lien investing. For example, if the homeowner pays the interest and penalties early, this will minimize your return on the investment. And if the homeowner declares bankruptcy, the tax lien certificate will be subordinate to the mortgage and federal back taxes that are due, if any.
While tax liens are no longer appearing on credit reports, it's worth remembering that the information credit bureaus include is always subject to change. Because tax liens are currently not included on your credit report, they don't hurt your credit score directly.
Because a judgment lien, unlike a tax lien, attaches only to real property of the judgment debtor, a judgment lien can be obtained against personal property only by seizing the property under the judgment enforcement procedures.
To get a lien payoff amount, visit the Georgia Tax Center with your Lien ID (or State Tax Execution Number). In the “Searches” section of the page, select "SOLVED: Search for a Lien".
In short, a tax lien has a lot of negatives. It affects your ability to sell your property and limits the effectiveness of bankruptcy relief. It also hurts your ability to get credit and – through prospective employer credit checks – can even harm your chances of getting a new job.
The IRS generally has 10 years – from the date your tax was assessed – to collect the tax and any associated penalties and interest from you. This time period is called the Collection Statute Expiration Date (CSED). Your account can include multiple tax assessments, each with their own CSED.