How does a mortgage lender know if you owe back taxes?
Sarah Garza
Updated on March 16, 2026
Another common issue clients run into during the mortgage process is an outstanding balance with the IRS. Underwriters often need to request tax return transcripts from the IRS to confirm whether a client owes money to the IRS and whether a payment plan is in place.
Can you lose your house if you owe taxes?
If you fall behind in making the property tax payments for your home, you might end up losing the place. The taxing authority could sell your home, perhaps through a foreclosure process, to satisfy the debt. Or the taxing authority might sell the tax lien that it holds, and the purchaser might be able to foreclose.
Can someone take your property by paying the taxes?
Paying someone’s taxes does not give you claim or ownership interest in a property, unless it’s through a tax deed sale. This means that paying taxes on a property you’re interested in buying won’t do you any good.
Can you refinance house if you owe IRS?
If there is a federal tax lien on your home, you must satisfy the lien before you can sell or refinance your home. Taxpayers or lenders also can ask that a federal tax lien be made secondary to the lending institution’s lien to allow for the refinancing or restructuring of a mortgage.
Can you buy a house if you owe federal taxes?
Yes, you may be able to get an FHA loan even if you owe tax debt. But you’ll need to go through a manual underwriting process to make this happen. During this process, the lender looks for proof that you have a valid agreement to repay the IRS.
Can I pay off someone else’s IRS debt?
Yes. It’s not uncommon for corporations to pay taxes on behalf of their high-level executives. Having someone else pay your taxes can get tricky, since the government counts the amount that person pays as taxable income.
How are forfeited real estate deposits treated for tax?
Josephine Binns v. U.S., 385 F.2d 159 (6th Cir. 1967). The sole question in the case was whether or not the gain is to be treated as a sale or exchange of a capital asset.
What happens if I owe back property taxes in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, on the other hand, the owner has nine months after the tax sale to redeem the property as long as the property was owner-occupied within the 90 days prior to the sale. If you owe back property taxes and you can’t afford to pay them all at once, you may still have options for protecting your property from a tax sale.
Can a tax delinquent property be sold with a tax deed?
If the State has held the tax sale certificate over three years a tax deed will be issued to the purchaser. Please note: neither an assignment nor a tax deed gives the holder clear title to the parcel. It is advisable to consult a competent attorney regarding your contemplated purchase of tax delinquent property.
What to do if you have a property tax lien?
If you’re facing foreclosure because of property tax liens, contact the tax collector. Your local government may offer tax repayment plans to homeowners, and if you follow the plan, you stop your property from going up for auction.