With a tax lien on your credit report your score will be dramatically affected. You should take action to erase this mark from your report.

The first step is to have the bureaus validate the lien. You need to send each bureau a dispute letter.

It is not uncommon for wrong information to be reported on your report. This is because mistakes do happen and it is as easy as dialing a wrong phone number.

Once your letter is received an investigation will occur. The bureaus will contact the government and ask them to verify your debt. If it is verified you are going to have to make payment to remove it from your report.

It may be in your best interest to talk with a tax negotiator to work out a settlement with the government. You can often pay a reduced amount, and once paid you can remove it from your report.

These debts are collectible for 10 years. The negative mark will stay on your credit for 7 years once it is paid. If it goes unpaid you could have a lien on your report for a long time.

Once you pay your lien in full, we suggest you wait 3 months and then dispute the mark with the bureaus again. It has been learned that once payment is made the tax departments will frequently ignore validation requests from the bureaus.

This means your tax lien will not be verified and the bureau will erase it from your report. However if this mark is incorrect to start with you can demand proof that the account is yours, and send any documentation you have to prove your side.

Repayment

The IRS and state government often accept partial payment. To propose this to them you will make an offer in compromise, often called an OIC.

The government will look at; your ability to repay, your income, your assets, and what they expect to recover. Additionally it will help your chances of acceptance, if you attach a letter showing financial hardship.

It can help to have a tax negotiator though it is not essential.

In sum, you can remove a tax lien and other negative marks from your credit report. You do not just have to live with bad credit.