Dealing with an IRS tax lien is one of the most stressful financial situations a taxpayer can face. In Huntersville and across North Carolina, a lien means the IRS has officially claimed a legal right to your property due to unpaid taxes. It impacts your credit, restricts your ability to sell or refinance assets, and can snowball into wage garnishments or asset seizures if left unresolved.
At Polaris Tax & Accounting, we help Huntersville taxpayers remove, reduce, or avoid IRS tax liens entirely. Our licensed Enrolled Agents have national IRS representation rights, meaning we can negotiate directly with the IRS on your behalf — whether you’re facing your first lien notice or dealing with years of unresolved tax debt.
What Is an IRS Tax Lien?
An IRS tax lien is a public legal claim placed on your property when you owe back taxes. It attaches to:
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Real estate (homes, land, commercial property)
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Personal property (vehicles, boats, equipment)
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Financial assets (bank accounts, accounts receivable)
Once a lien is filed, it appears on your credit report, can damage your score for years, and makes it extremely difficult to borrow money, sell property, or secure new lines of credit.
If you received a Notice of Federal Tax Lien (NFTL), it means the IRS has already assessed your tax debt, sent notices, and you have not resolved it in time.
Why You Should Never Ignore an IRS Tax Lien
Ignoring a tax lien is one of the costliest mistakes a taxpayer can make. Here’s why:
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Asset Seizure Risk – A lien is the first step toward levies, where the IRS can seize property, freeze accounts, and take wages.
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Damaged Credit – The lien will stay on your credit history for years, even after it’s released, making loans and refinancing more difficult.
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Business Impact – For business owners, liens can attach to accounts receivable, inventory, and equipment — crippling cash flow.
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Higher Interest & Penalties – The IRS continues adding interest and penalties to the balance, increasing your total debt.
If you’ve been contacted by the IRS about a lien, time is critical. The sooner you act, the more options you have for resolution.
Ways to Remove or Avoid an IRS Tax Lien in Huntersville
At Polaris Tax & Accounting, we use multiple strategies depending on your situation, including:
1. Full Payment of the Debt
Paying the tax balance in full is the fastest way to release a lien. While it’s not always possible immediately, we can help you find financing or liquidate strategically to resolve the debt.
2. Installment Agreements
If you can’t pay in full, setting up an IRS-approved payment plan can stop enforcement actions and eventually lead to lien release.
3. Offer in Compromise (OIC)
An OIC lets you settle your tax debt for less than you owe. If accepted, the lien will be released once the terms are met.
4. Lien Withdrawal
In some cases, even if you owe the debt, the IRS will withdraw the lien — effectively removing it from public record — if it’s in their best interest and you’re in compliance.
5. Discharge of Property
We can request the IRS discharge a specific asset from the lien, allowing you to sell or refinance it to pay down the debt.
6. Subordination
Subordination doesn’t remove the lien but allows other creditors to move ahead of the IRS in priority, often making refinancing possible.
How We Help Huntersville Taxpayers With IRS Liens
When you work with Polaris Tax & Accounting, you get:
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Immediate Action – We contact the IRS directly to halt enforcement and review your account status.
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Lien Release Planning – We analyze the fastest, most cost-effective path to remove the lien.
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Negotiation & Compliance – We negotiate directly with the IRS while ensuring you meet all filing requirements to avoid future liens.
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Ongoing IRS Monitoring – Once resolved, we offer IRS Tax Monitoring to detect new issues before they escalate.
Preventing Future IRS Liens
The best way to avoid a lien is to stay compliant with tax filing and payment requirements. Our year-round tax and accounting services help you:
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Keep accurate, organized financial records
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File returns on time every year
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Plan proactively to reduce future tax liabilities
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Address IRS notices immediately before they escalate
Huntersville taxpayers can also benefit from our Proactive Tax Planning services, designed to legally minimize your tax bill and reduce the risk of unpaid balances.
Related IRS Tax Help Resources
If you’re facing an IRS lien, you may also want to read:
These guides walk you through related tax resolution strategies and show how Polaris can resolve complex IRS problems from start to finish.
Take Action Before the IRS Does
The IRS will not forget about your unpaid taxes — and a lien is only the beginning of their collection efforts. The longer you wait, the fewer options you’ll have to protect your property and credit.
If you’ve received a lien notice or suspect one may be filed, contact Polaris Tax & Accounting immediately. Our Huntersville IRS tax lien specialists will review your case, explain your options, and act quickly to protect your assets.
Call us today at (704) 947-3178 or schedule a consultation online.