IRS Issues Guidance Regarding Estate Tax Lien Discharge Process

When an individual dies, an estate tax lien attaches automatically to all of the property included in the gross estate. It arises prior to tax assessment, and is not recorded.

Persons inheriting property, or purchasers of property, are interested in having the lien released. As to real property that an estate seeks to sell, a discharge of the lien can be applied for with a Form 4422. A Form 792 is issued to discharge particular property.

In the past, if accepted the IRS would release the lien within a few days. Starting in 2016, the procedures changed, and all applications are now processed through Specialty Collection, Offers, Liens and Advisory. Once the IRS accepts the Form 4422. . .

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