what is a tax lien 
a tax lien is a type of lien imposed by the federal state or local government on a person or business as a result of their failure to pay taxes they owe as the internal revenue service irs explains it the lien protects the government s interest in all your property including real estate personal property and financial assets the irs says it will release its lien within 30 days after the debt is paid off the bottom linejudgment liens are imposed by courts in an attempt to force debtors to pay off their creditors when a debtor receives a judgment lien it s usually best to pay off the debt if that s at all possible 