Real Estate Glossary

What is Tax Lien?

A tax lien is a legal claim that is placed on a property by the government as a result of unpaid taxes. Tax liens give the government a legal right to the property and can be used to force the sale of the property in order to pay off the delinquent taxes. Tax liens can also be sold to private investors, who can then collect the delinquent taxes plus interest. Tax liens can be placed on both residential and commercial properties.