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:

How Does The Employer Credit For Family and Medical Leave Work for Indiana Small Businesses?

Quick Answer: The employer credit for family and medical leave provides small businesses a federal tax credit worth 12.5% to 25% of qualified leave costs. In 2026, you can claim this credit on actual wages paid during FMLA leave or on commercial insurance...

How To Hire An Intern For The Summer For Your Indiana Business

Key TakeawaysPaid summer interns must be classified as W-2 temporary employees rather than 1099 independent contractors because they operate under your direct supervision. To legally hire an unpaid intern, your program must pass the strict DOL "Primary...

What Happens If I Pay My Quarterly Taxes Late? Indiana IRS Tax Resolution Help

Quick AnswerIf you pay quarterly estimated taxes late, the IRS may charge an underpayment penalty based on the amount you should have paid, when it was due, and how long it stayed unpaid. Paying late is still usually better than waiting until you file, but it may not...

Why Tariff Refund Claims Get Delayed for Indiana Small Business Owners

*This guidance is based on CBP’s April 2026 CAPE/IEEPA refund guidance, current ACH refund enrollment rules, and general federal tax recovery principles as of May 15, 2026. Your facts may require coordination with your customs broker, trade counsel, and tax...

Will Filing For Bankruptcy Clear Student Loans For Indiana Debtors?

Key TakeawaysFiling for bankruptcy does not automatically get rid of student loans. You usually have to take an extra legal step and prove repayment would create an undue hardship. If student loan debt is discharged, forgiven, settled, or canceled, the tax result...

How To File A Tariff Refund Claim for Your Indiana Business

Key TakeawaysAs of April 20, 2026, the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) tool is the exclusive electronic system for reclaiming IEEPA tariff duty payments. Importers must have an active ACE Secure Data Portal account and an authorized...

Does the Tariff Refund Process Apply to My Indiana Business?

Key TakeawaysOnly the Importer of Record (IOR) or an authorized customs broker can claim a refund. If a carrier like UPS or FedEx is the IOR, you must coordinate with them rather than filing directly with the CBP. Refunds are exclusively for IEEPA-related tariffs...

How to Prevent Tax Debt for Indiana Business Owners

Key TakeawaysBusiness tax debt starts when tax money gets used to solve a cash flow problem somewhere else in the business. Payroll tax debt is especially dangerous because the IRS can sometimes hold owners and other responsible parties personally liable for...

The 2026 Business Mileage Rate vs The Standard Expense Method For Your Indiana Business Vehicles

Key TakeawaysThe IRS business rate for 2026 is 72.5 cents per mile, a 2.5-cent increase from the previous year. To keep your options open, you must choose the standard mileage method in the first year your vehicle is used for business. If you start with actual...

Common Bookkeeping Mistakes That Make Tax Filing Harder For Indiana Business Owners

 Key Takeaways Missing documentation shifts the burden of proof to you. Without a receipt or digital log, the IRS can legally disallow business deductions, resulting in higher taxable income and unexpected penalties.Commingling personal and business funds is...

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!