IRS Form 12277 Instructions
If you’ve received a notice of federal tax lien (NFTL), the IRS generally expects you to satisfy your outstanding tax debt before releasing the lien. However, there might be other options that can help you. This article will walk you through IRS Form 12277, which is the tax form taxpayers use to obtain a withdrawal of a filed tax lien.
Additionally, we’ll discuss:
- How to use Form 12277 to request a lien withdrawal
- Why you should attempt to get rid of a tax lien, if possible
- How to get rid of a tax lien, even if you cannot fully pay your tax bill
Let’s start with step by step guidance on how to complete Form 12277.
Table of contents
How do I complete IRS Form 12277?
We’ll walk through this one-page tax form, step by step.
Line 1: Taxpayer name
Enter your name as shown on the notice of federal tax lien (NFTL).
Line 2: Taxpayer Identification Number
This must match either the Social Security number (SSN) or Employer identification number (EIN) as shown on the original NFTL.
Line 3: Taxpayer’s representative, if applicable
If you’ve hired a tax professional or an experienced tax attorney to help you file this form, then enter that person’s name in Line 3.
For business owners, enter the name and title of a contact person for your business.
If you do not have an outside representative, leave blank.
Line 4: Address
Enter either the taxpayer’s address or the address of your designated representative named in Line 3.
Line 5: City
Enter the applicable city.
Line 6: State
Enter the applicable state.
Line 7: ZIP Code
Enter the zip code.
Line 8: Phone number
Enter a contact phone number.
Line 9: Tax Lien information
If possible, attach a copy of the original NFTL to this form. If you do not have a copy, provide the following information:
- Tax lien serial number (near the top of the document)
- Date tax lien was filed
- Recording office where the tax lien was filed
Line 10: Current status of the tax lien
Check the appropriate box.
Open
Open means that there is an outstanding balance regarding the tax liabilities listed on the tax lien.
Released
Released means that the tax lien has been satisfied, or is no longer enforceable.
Unknown
Unknown means you do not know the tax lien’s current status.
Line 11
Check the appropriate box.
If you’ve recently entered into an installment agreement, you probably should ensure that the agreement either:
- Meets the IRS criteria listed above
- Did not contain a provision for a notice of the lien to be filed in the first place
If you are requesting a withdrawal of a released NFTL, you generally should check the last box regarding the best interest provision.
Line 12: Explanation
In this section, provide a detailed explanation of the events or the situation to justify the withdrawal request. Attach additional sheets and supporting documentation, if necessary.
Video walkthrough
Watch this instructional video for more guidance on completing Form 12277.
Why should I get rid of a tax lien?
There are several reasons why you should want to get rid of a tax lien.
There’s a direct impact to your credit score.
A federal tax lien, just like other liens, directly impacts your credit score. The odds are high that with a tax lien in place, you will have a much more difficult job obtaining financing.
This is true even for mortgage refinancing because tax liens usually subordinate other lien holders. In other words, the IRS reserves first right to collect should anything happen to you. So mortgage-holders looking to refinance may find difficulty doing so with the tax lien in place. Even if the new mortgage frees up money for them to pay down the tax debt!
The IRS doesn’t always release the tax lien in a timely manner.
The IRS website states that the IRS releases tax liens within 30 days after the outstanding tax liability is satisfied.
If you wait 30-45 days after your last payment, you should check your credit report. Odds are the lien might still be on there. If so, you should probably file for a lien withdrawal.
You have an installment plan in place.
If you’ve entered into a IRS payment plan that meets certain requirements, IRS procedures allow for the lien withdrawal, even if you still have an outstanding balance.
Why leave a tax lien in place if you’re making payments?
How do I get rid of an IRS tax lien?
According to the Internal Revenue Service, the best way to completely rid yourself of a federal tax lien is to completely pay off your outstanding tax debt. The IRS website states that an IRS lien release occurs within 30 days of full payment of all federal taxes, plus any tax penalties and interest.
However, the IRS recognizes certain instances where it might be in the best interest of the taxpayer and the IRS to reduce the impact of a tax lien if a federal lien release is not feasible. There are three alternative options that the IRS offers, provided that they serve the best interests of both the government and the taxpayer.
Discharge of property
A lien discharge does not absolve the taxpayer of the taxes they still owe. However, it removes the government’s legal claim to the property from the property itself.
When might I be able to obtain a discharge of property from a tax lien?
Internal Revenue Code Section 6325(b) authorizes the discharge of property secured by a federal tax lien under one of the following circumstances:
- Fair market value of the property secured by the lien is at least twice the amount of the lien and all other debts associated with the property
- Most applicable to real property in a rising real estate market
- Lien has been partially satisfied, and/or the federal government determines that their interest in the property has no value
- The property is sold and the available funds are held in a separate account that the U.S. government has the same priority over the funds as with the property
- Taxpayer either:
- Makes a payment equivalent to the amount secured by the lien
- Furnishes a bond acceptable to the federal government for the amount secured by the lien
A lien discharge might be a good idea for taxpayers with a lien on real estate that they are trying to sell or refinance. IRS Publication 783 contains more information on how to obtain a certificate of discharge from federal tax lien.
Subordination of tax lien
Federal law also allows the IRS to subordinate their tax lien so that another creditor may move ahead of the IRS in position. This may be particularly helpful for taxpayers who are looking to refinance their mortgage, but have been consistently paying their taxes.
IRC Section 6325(d) states that the federal government may subordinate a federal tax lien under one of the following circumstances:
- The taxpayer has made an additional payment equal to the amount of the lien or interest to which the certificate subordinates the lien of the United States
- The federal government believes that subordinating the tax lien will help the taxpayer continue to pay down their tax liability
IRS Publication 784 contains additional information on how a taxpayer may request a subordination of their tax lien.
Withdrawal of tax lien
The final option involves a withdrawal of the federal tax lien. IRC Section 6323(j) states that the federal government may withdraw notice of a federal tax lien under one or more of the following circumstances:
- The IRS or the Treasury Secretary determines that the lien notice was premature or otherwise not filed according to established procedures
- The taxpayer has entered into a direct debit installment agreement with the IRS
- Withdrawal of the lien notice will actually facilitate collection of the tax, or
- With the consent of the Taxpayer Advocate or at the Taxpayer Advocate’s recommendation that a tax lien withdrawal would be in the federal government’s best interest
Before moving onto the form itself, we should note the additional requirements that the IRS has placed on tax lien withdrawal. Specifically regarding a taxpayer’s payment agreement.
When does a taxpayer’s installment agreement meet the criterial for tax lien withdrawal?
As a result of the IRS Fresh Start Program, a taxpayer may apply for tax lien withdrawal, even if they have not completely paid their tax liability.
However, they must meet the following requirements:
- Taxpayer must be qualified
- Individuals
- Businesses with income tax liability only
- Out of business entities with any type of tax debt
- Taxpayer owes $25,000 or less
- If the outstanding balance exceeds $25,000, a taxpayer may pay down the balance to $25,000 prior to requesting withdrawal of the Notice of Federal Tax Lien
- The Direct Debit Installment Agreement must full pay the amount you owe within the earlier of:
- 60 months, or
- Before the Collection Statute expires
- Taxpayer is in full compliance with other filing and payment requirements
- Taxpayer has made three consecutive direct debit payments
- Taxpayer has never defaulted on either the current or any previous Direct Debit Installment agreement
How do I file IRS Form 12277?
Do not file this tax form with your income tax return. Instead, mail your application to the IRS office assigned to your account. This should be on your NFTL, or you can call the IRS to find out.
If the account is not assigned, or you’re not sure where it is assigned, you should mail the completed form and supporting documents to:
Internal Revenue Service, ATTN: Advisory Group Manager, in the area where you live. IRS Publication 4235, Advisory Group Addresses, contains a list of offices.
Frequently asked questions
IRS Form 12277, Application for Withdrawal of Filed Form 668(Y), Notice of Federal Tax Lien, is the tax form that a taxpayer may use when pursuing a withdrawn lien is the best course of action.
Under the IRS’ Fresh Start initiative, a taxpayer may apply for a lien withdrawal if their tax liability has been paid in full, or if they meet certain criteria demonstrating their intent and ability to consistently pay down their debt pursuant to an IRS installment agreement.
The withdrawal of a federal tax lien means that the federal government no longer has a tax lien on your property. While this might be preferable to subordinating a lien or removing a lien from only one property item, it might not be feasible in every situation.
Where can I find IRS Form 12277?
You may find a copy of Form 12277 on the IRS website or by selecting the file below.
