Tax Lien Subordination, Release & Withdrawal

In difficult economic times, many property owners fall behind in their tax payments.

As a claim of security against that tax debt, the IRS may place a tax lien on your home or property. This means the U.S. government has the legal right to your property until that debt is discharged.

Likewise, the Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) may put a tax lien against your property as collateral to pay for a tax debt to the State of Indiana.

A tax lien impedes your ability to engage in any dealings with your property. You may not be able to sell or refinance your residence or property at a time when you may have tremendous need to sell that property.

If you have an IRS or state tax lien on your home and you want to sell or refinance, Dutton Legal Group can help you.

What Is Tax Lien Subordination?

Tax lien subordination is when the IRS agrees to take a secondary position on your home’s title so you can sell or refinance your home even when the IRS has filed a tax lien against your home.

In other words, by subordinating the lien, another creditor or lender is allowed to move ahead of the U.S. government, giving that lender priority to the property and permitting the refinance or sale of the property. Subordination may also give you an opportunity to use equity to pay tax debt or challenge the lien filing in Tax Court.

Without lien subordination, you may be unable to refinance or sell your home when you owe taxes. In Indiana, a tax warrant is the equivalent of an IRS tax lien.

As your tax attorneys, we will need to show evidence (such as property value, existing debt, lender and loan information) and make the argument that, by granting subordination, the IRS benefits because the subordination expedites the collection of the tax debt owed.

Dutton Legal Group has successfully brokered lien subordinations for our clients, lowering their IRS debt and putting them in a better financial situation going into the future.

What is Tax Lien Release and Withdrawal?

Tax lien release is when the IRS agrees to release a federal tax lien that was filed in the clerk’s office in the county in which you have real estate. The IRS is required to release liens after your tax debt is cancelled, corrected, or paid, but sometimes the IRS fails to do so.

Tax lien withdrawal is when the IRS agrees to remove a federal tax lien that appears on your credit report due to unpaid taxes. An IRS tax lien can stay on your credit report, even if you have paid all of your taxes, if the IRS has not withdrawn its tax lien. The IRS usually does not withdraw a federal tax lien on its own; you have to request that the lien be withdrawn.

Further, even if you still owe taxes, the IRS may withdraw its tax lien, if you request a lien withdraw and the IRS grants it.

Dutton Legal Group has successfully released and withdrawn liens based on cancellation, correction, or payment of tax debt and even when the underlying taxes remained unpaid, improving our clients’ credit scores and financial well-being in the process.

Consult an Experienced Tax Lawyer to Argue for Lien Subordination, Release, or Withdrawal

If you work with the right tax lawyer in Indiana, you stand a far better chance of negotiating better, even favorable terms with the state tax authorities or IRS.

We can begin helping you immediately. Call to speak with a tax attorney at our law firm today and request a free consultation about your tax problem.

Let Us Help:

Indiana Taxpayer Rights: What If I Can’t Pay How Much I Owe The IRS?

Key TakeawaysThe IRS cannot take money you need for basic living expenses if doing so creates economic hardship You have the right to force the IRS to consider your actual financial reality There are legal resolutions that can stop collections, even if the...

How to Estimate Quarterly Tax Payments For Your Indiana Business

 Key TakeawaysEstimated tax payments are required if you expect to owe at least $1,000 in federal tax after withholding and credits You generally must pay at least 90% of your current-year tax or 100% of last year’s tax (110% if last year’s AGI exceeded...

The 5 Worst AI Mistakes Indiana Business Owners Should Avoid

Key TakeawaysNever automate high-stakes customer interactions entirely. Use AI to handle data gathering, but ensure a human handles emotional or complex resolutions to protect your brand reputation. AI output is only as reliable as your input. Clean and audit...

How to Choose a Tax Advisor For Indiana Taxpayers With IRS Problems

Key TakeawaysAvoid preparers who promise large refunds or charge fees based on a percentage of your refund Verify credentials and representation rights. Only CPAs, Enrolled Agents, and tax attorneys can represent you in all IRS matters Confirm they have a...

What Smart Indiana Owners Do When Using AI for Small Business Growth

Key Takeaways Small businesses often see faster financial returns from AI than large companies because they can change workflows quickly AI only works if you can tie it to measurable outcomes like cost savings, revenue growth, or capacity gains Time...

AI Productivity Hacks For Your Indiana Business

Key TakeawaysAI provides the most immediate value when applied to existing business leaks like scheduling, invoicing, and slow customer response times Business owners can use AI as a high-speed data analyst to uncover profit margins, customer segments, and...

Indiana Taxpayer Rights: Can the IRS Look At Your Bank Account?

Key TakeawaysThe IRS does not automatically see your bank transactions or daily spending To get bank records, they must show a legitimate, documented tax purpose and follow notice rules You usually get a 45-day warning before the IRS contacts your...

TurboTax vs Tax Preparer: How Should I File My Indiana Business Taxes?

Key TakeawaysDIY tax software can work for very simple, low-income businesses, but it assumes you already know how to classify transactions and identify tax opportunities. A tax preparer makes sure expenses, credits, and entity decisions are handled legally and...

What’s My Indiana Partnership or S Corp Tax Filing Deadline?

 Key TakeawaysThe Partnership and S Corp tax filing deadline is Monday, March 16, 2026. These returns don’t calculate tax owed by the business. They generate Schedule K-1s for the owners. You cannot accurately file your personal return without your...

Can You Dispute A Tax Bill? Two Rights Indiana Taxpayers Have This Tax Season

Key TakeawaysYes, you can dispute a tax bill—a notice from the IRS is often a proposal, not a final verdict. The IRS routinely issues bills based on incomplete or incorrect information, especially when returns are missing or rushed. You have the legal right...

Ready to come in for an appointment?

Click here to schedule a time to meet with us. We will NOT make dealing with a tax professional as painful as it’s been in the past!

Contact Us