If I received a certificate of release for a federal Lien, do I still?
The IRS issues liens to guarantee that they'll get paid if you try to sell property, or in order to seize property in some cases. Without knowing all the details, I can't give a definitive answer. But as a former employee of Collections, who also worked in Collections Due Process, I can tell you that the IRS rarely releases a lien unless the balance due is gone or at least falls below a certain threshold. The exception is cases where the IRS has issued the lien improperly. (There are rules and laws regarding when they can and can't issue a lien.) You could still owe, but the IRS might have decided it was premature or improper to issue a lien. The only way to know for sure whether you still owe is to talk to someone in Customer Service or Collections at the IRS. That person will be able to tell you whether your account still has a balance due, whether there's still a current audit and whether there are additional collections actions (assuming you do still have a balance). The default number for individual taxes is 1-800-829-1040 . Someone at that number will either be able to help you with all your questions, or will be able to refer you to the correct individual in Customer Service, Audits, Liens or other appropriate area.