I often get emails from readers of this blog who assume that it’s impossible to get a tax lien removed because it involves the government and the IRS. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, in the case of getting a tax lien removed, we can actually use the fact that it’s government to our advantage. This is because there are some very helpful laws that can help you get tax liens off your credit report. Let me show you how with these following steps.
Step 1. Use The Fresh Start Program
Back in 2011 the IRS created something called “The Fresh Start Program”. The idea is very simple. It allows people to get tax liens removed from their credit report, under certain circumstances, even if the debt hasn’t been paid in full.
In order to take advantage of this program, you’ll first need to file a form with the IRS. This form is called Application for Withdrawal of Filed Form 668(Y), Notice of Federal Tax Lien. You can download it here. While you’re filling out this form, it’s very important that you write “Fresh Start Program” when you get to question 12.
Step 2. File Form 122277 with the IRS
Once you have filled out the 122277 form, you’ll need to send it Certified Mail to the IRS. If you’re unsure exactly which IRS office to mail it to, you can look that up on the IRS’s Numbers and Addresses page. I just want to say again, make sure you send it certified mail.
Step 3. Dispute Tax Lien with Credit Bureaus Once You Get a Response from the IRS
You should get a response from the IRS within about 30-45 days notifying you of whether you were approved for the Fresh Start Program. If you were approved, and hopefully you were, you’ll next need to dispute the tax lien with the three credit bureaus.
The way this will work is quite simple. When you dispute the tax lien, the credit bureaus will contact the court who issued the lien against you to verify that it’s accurate. Since the IRS should have already contacted the courthouse to withdraw the lien, that will get reported back to the credit bureaus and the tax lien should be removed from your credit report.
It’s important to note that tax liens count significantly toward your credit score. A tax lien can destroy your credit in the same way as a bankruptcy, so it’s really important to get these removed as quickly as you can.
If you don’t want to deal with the IRS
If you’d rather not deal with the IRS and all of this, you can always have a professional take care of it for you. For this I suggest you check out Lexington Law Credit Repair. They’ll take care of you. Give them a call at 1-844-764-9809 or Check out their website.
The post How to Remove Tax Liens From Your Credit Report appeared first on Better Credit Blog | Credit Help For Bad Credit.
