Purchasers, holders of security interests, mechanic’s lienors, and judgment lien creditors
The lien imposed by section 6321 shall not be valid as against any purchaser, holder of a security interest, mechanic’s lienor, or judgment lien creditor until notice thereof which meets the requirements of subsection (f) has been filed by the Secretary.
Protection for certain interests even though notice filed
Securities
Motor vehicles
Personal property purchased at retail
With respect to tangible personal property purchased at retail, as against a purchaser in the ordinary course of the seller’s trade or business, unless at the time of such purchase such purchaser intends such purchase to (or knows such purchase will) hinder, evade, or defeat the collection of any tax under this title.
Personal property purchased in casual sale
With respect to household goods, personal effects, or other tangible personal property described in section 6334(a) purchased (not for resale) in a casual sale for less than $1,000, as against the purchaser, but only if such purchaser does not have actual notice or knowledge (A) of the existence of such lien, or (B) that this sale is one of a series of sales.
Personal property subject to possessory lien
With respect to tangible personal property subject to a lien under local law securing the reasonable price of the repair or improvement of such property, as against a holder of such a lien, if such holder is, and has been, continuously in possession of such property from the time such lien arose.
Real property tax and special assessment liens
Residential property subject to a mechanic’s lien for certain repairs and improvements
With respect to real property subject to a lien for repair or improvement of a personal residence (containing not more than four dwelling units) occupied by the owner of such residence, as against a mechanic’s lienor, but only if the contract price on the contract with the owner is not more than $5,000.
Attorneys’ liens
With respect to a judgment or other amount in settlement of a claim or of a cause of action, as against an attorney who, under local law, holds a lien upon or a contract enforcible against such judgment or amount, to the extent of his reasonable compensation for obtaining such judgment or procuring such settlement, except that this paragraph shall not apply to any judgment or amount in settlement of a claim or of a cause of action against the United States to the extent that the United States offsets such judgment or amount against any liability of the taxpayer to the United States.
Certain insurance contracts
Deposit-secured loans
With respect to a savings deposit, share, or other account with an institution described in section 581 or 591, to the extent of any loan made by such institution without actual notice or knowledge of the existence of such lien, as against such institution, if such loan is secured by such account.
Protection for certain commercial transactions financing agreements, etc.
In general
Commercial transactions financing agreement
Definition
Limitation on qualified property
The term “qualified property”, when used with respect to a commercial transactions financing agreement, includes only commercial financing security acquired by the taxpayer before the 46th day after the date of tax lien filing.
Commercial financing security defined
The term “commercial financing security” means (i) paper of a kind ordinarily arising in commercial transactions, (ii) accounts receivable, (iii) mortgages on real property, and (iv) inventory.
Purchaser treated as acquiring security interest
A person who satisfies subparagraph (A) by reason of clause (ii) thereof shall be treated as having acquired a security interest in commercial financing security
Real property construction or improvement financing agreement
Definition
Limitation on qualified property
Obligatory disbursement agreement
Definition
The term “obligatory disbursement agreement” means an agreement (entered into by a person in the course of his trade or business) to make disbursements, but such an agreement shall be treated as coming within the term only to the extent of disbursements which are required to be made by reason of the intervention of the rights of a person other than the taxpayer.
Limitation on qualified property
The term “qualified property”, when used with respect to an obligatory disbursement agreement, means property subject to the lien imposed by section 6321 at the time of tax lien filing and (to the extent that the acquisition is directly traceable to the disbursements referred to in subparagraph (A)) property acquired by the taxpayer after tax lien filing.
Special rules for surety agreements
45-day period for making disbursements
Priority of interest and expenses
Place for filing notice; form
Place for filing
Under State laws
Real property
In the case of real property, in one office within the State (or the county, or other governmental subdivision), as designated by the laws of such State, in which the property subject to the lien is situated; and
Personal property
In the case of personal property, whether tangible or intangible, in one office within the State (or the county, or other governmental subdivision), as designated by the laws of such State, in which the property subject to the lien is situated, except that State law merely conforming to or reenacting Federal law establishing a national filing system does not constitute a second office for filing as designated by the laws of such State; or
With clerk of district court
In the office of the clerk of the United States district court for the judicial district in which the property subject to the lien is situated, whenever the State has not by law designated one office which meets the requirements of subparagraph (A); or
With Recorder of Deeds of the District of Columbia
In the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the District of Columbia, if the property subject to the lien is situated in the District of Columbia.
Situs of property subject to lien
Real property
In the case of real property, at its physical location; or
Personal property
In the case of personal property, whether tangible or intangible, at the residence of the taxpayer at the time the notice of lien is filed.
Form
The form and content of the notice referred to in subsection (a) shall be prescribed by the Secretary. Such notice shall be valid notwithstanding any other provision of law regarding the form or content of a notice of lien.
Indexing required with respect to certain real property
National filing systems
The filing of a notice of lien shall be governed solely by this title and shall not be subject to any other Federal law establishing a place or places for the filing of liens or encumbrances under a national filing system.
Refiling of notice
General rule
Unless notice of lien is refiled in the manner prescribed in paragraph (2) during the required refiling period, such notice of lien shall be treated as filed on the date on which it is filed (in accordance with subsection (f)) after the expiration of such refiling period.
Place for filing
Required refiling period
Transitional rule
Notwithstanding paragraph (3), if the assessment of the tax was made before , the first required refiling period shall be the calendar year 1967.
Definitions
Security interest
The term “security interest” means any interest in property acquired by contract for the purpose of securing payment or performance of an obligation or indemnifying against loss or liability. A security interest exists at any time (A) if, at such time, the property is in existence and the interest has become protected under local law against a subsequent judgment lien arising out of an unsecured obligation, and (B) to the extent that, at such time, the holder has parted with money or money’s worth.
Mechanic’s lienor
The term “mechanic’s lienor” means any person who under local law has a lien on real property (or on the proceeds of a contract relating to real property) for services, labor, or materials furnished in connection with the construction or improvement of such property. For purposes of the preceding sentence, a person has a lien on the earliest date such lien becomes valid under local law against subsequent purchasers without actual notice, but not before he begins to furnish the services, labor, or materials.
Motor vehicle
The term “motor vehicle” means a self-propelled vehicle which is registered for highway use under the laws of any State or foreign country.
Security
The term “security” means any bond, debenture, note, or certificate or other evidence of indebtedness, issued by a corporation or a government or political subdivision thereof, with interest coupons or in registered form, share of stock, voting trust certificate, or any certificate of interest or participation in, certificate of deposit or receipt for, temporary or interim certificate for, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase, any of the foregoing; negotiable instrument; or money.
Tax lien filing
The term “tax lien filing” means the filing of notice (referred to in subsection (a)) of the lien imposed by section 6321.
Purchaser
Special rules
Actual notice or knowledge
For purposes of this subchapter, an organization shall be deemed for purposes of a particular transaction to have actual notice or knowledge of any fact from the time such fact is brought to the attention of the individual conducting such transaction, and in any event from the time such fact would have been brought to such individual’s attention if the organization had exercised due diligence. An organization exercises due diligence if it maintains reasonable routines for communicating significant information to the person conducting the transaction and there is reasonable compliance with the routine. Due diligence does not require an individual acting for the organization to communicate information unless such communication is part of his regular duties or unless he has reason to know of the transaction and that the transaction would be materially affected by the information.
Subrogation
Where, under local law, one person is subrogated to the rights of another with respect to a lien or interest, such person shall be subrogated to such rights for purposes of any lien imposed by section 6321 or 6324.
Forfeitures
For purposes of this subchapter, a forfeiture under local law of property seized by a law enforcement agency of a State, county, or other local governmental subdivision shall relate back to the time of seizure, except that this paragraph shall not apply to the extent that under local law the holder of an intervening claim or interest would have priority over the interest of the State, county, or other local governmental subdivision in the property.
Cost-of-living adjustment
Withdrawal of notice in certain circumstances
In general
Notice to credit agencies, etc.
Upon written request by the taxpayer with respect to whom a notice of a lien was withdrawn under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall promptly make reasonable efforts to notify credit reporting agencies, and any financial institution or creditor whose name and address is specified in such request, of the withdrawal of such notice. Any such request shall be in such form as the Secretary may prescribe.
Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 73668A Stat. 779Pub. L. 88–272, title II, § 236(a)78 Stat. 127Pub. L. 89–493, § 17(a)80 Stat. 266Pub. L. 89–719, title I, § 101(a)80 Stat. 1125Pub. L. 94–455, title XII, § 1202(h)(2)90 Stat. 1688Pub. L. 95–600, title VII, § 702(q)(1)92 Stat. 2937Pub. L. 99–514, title XV, § 1569(a)100 Stat. 2764Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1015(s)(1)102 Stat. 3573Pub. L. 101–508, title XI104 Stat. 1388–458Pub. L. 104–168, title V, § 501(a)110 Stat. 1460Pub. L. 105–206, title I, § 1102(d)(1)(A)112 Stat. 704Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 11002(d)(1)(HH)131 Stat. 2060(, ; , (c)(1), , , 128; , , ; , , ; , title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A), title XX, § 2008(c), , , 1834, 1892; , (2), , , 2938; , , ; , , ; , §§ 11317(b), 11704(a)(26), , , 1388–519; , , ; , title III, § 3435(a), (b), , , 760, 761; , , .)
Inflation Adjusted Items for Certain Years
section 1 of this titleFor inflation adjustment of certain items in this section, see Revenue Procedures listed in a table under .
Editorial Notes
Amendments
Pub. L. 115–972017—Subsec. (i)(4)(B). substituted “for ‘calendar year 2016’ in subparagraph (A)(ii)” for “for ‘calendar year 1992’ in subparagraph (B)”.
Pub. L. 105–206, § 3435(a)(1)(A)1998—Subsec. (b)(4). , substituted “$1,000” for “$250”.
Pub. L. 105–206, § 3435(a)(1)(B)Subsec. (b)(7). , substituted “$5,000” for “$1,000”.
Pub. L. 105–206, § 3435(b)Subsec. (b)(10). , in heading substituted “Deposit-secured loans” for “Passbook loans”, and in text struck out “, evidenced by a passbook,” after “other account” and substituted period at end for “and if such institution has been continuously in possession of such passbook from the time the loan is made.”
Pub. L. 105–206, § 3435(a)(2)Subsec. (i)(4). , added par. (4).
Pub. L. 105–206, § 1102(d)(1)(A)Subsec. (j)(1)(D). , substituted “National Taxpayer Advocate” for “Taxpayer Advocate” in two places.
Pub. L. 104–1681996—Subsec. (j). added subsec. (j).
Pub. L. 101–508, § 11704(a)(26)1990—Subsec. (a). , substituted “Purchasers” for “Purchases” in heading.
Pub. L. 101–508, § 11317(b)Subsec. (g)(3). , substituted “10 years” for “6 years” wherever appearing.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1015(s)(1)(A)1988—Subsec. (f)(1)(A)(ii). , inserted exception that State law merely conforming to or reenacting Federal law establishing a national filing system does not constitute a second office for filing as designated by the laws of such State.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1015(s)(1)(B)Subsec. (f)(5). , added par. (5).
Pub. L. 99–5141986—Subsec. (i)(3). added par. (3).
Pub. L. 95–600, § 702(q)(1)1978—Subsec. (f)(4). , in heading substituted “Indexing required with respect to certain real property” for “Index” and in text inserted provisions relating to the validity of a deed, under the laws of the State in which the real property is located, as against a purchaser who does not have actual notice or knowledge of the existence of such deed and provisions relating to the maintenance of an adequate system for the public indexing of Federal tax liens.
Pub. L. 95–600, § 702(q)(2)Subsec. (g)(2)(A). , inserted reference to real property.
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A)1976—Subsecs. (a), (b). , struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary” wherever appearing.
Pub. L. 94–455, § 2008(c)(1)(B)Subsec. (f)(2). , inserted introductory reference to par. (4).
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A)Subsec. (f)(3). , struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”.
Pub. L. 94–455, § 2008(c)(1)(A)Subsec. (f)(4). , added par. (4).
Pub. L. 94–455Subsec. (g)(2)(A), (B). , §§ 1906(b)(13)(A), 2008(c)(2), required the fact of refiling be entered and recorded in an index in accordance with subsec. (f)(4), and struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary” wherever appearing.
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1202(h)(2)Subsec. (i)(3). , struck out par. (3) which related to a special rule respecting disclosure of amount of outstanding lien.
Pub. L. 89–7191966—Subsec. (a). redesignated as subsec. (a) that part of former subsec. (a) which preceded pars. (1) to (3) thereof, and, in subsec. (a) as so redesignated, substituted holder of a security interest, mechanic’s lienor, and judgment lien creditor for mortgagee, pledgee, and judgment creditor, struck out reference to an exception provided in subsecs. (c) and (d), and inserted reference to requirements of subsec. (f).
Pub. L. 89–493Subsec. (a)(3). substituted the Recorder of Deeds of the District of Columbia for the clerk of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
Pub. L. 89–719Subsec. (b)(1). redesignated provisions of subsec. (c)(1) as subsec. (b)(1) and substituted “holder of a security interest” for “mortgagee and pledgee” and purchaser of such security interest for purchaser of such security for any adequate and full consideration in money or money’s worth.
Pub. L. 89–719Subsec. (b)(2). redesignated provisions of subsec. (d)(1) as subsec. (b)(2) and substituted purchaser of such motor vehicle for purchaser of such motor vehicle for an adequate and full consideration in money or money’s worth and substituted actual notice or knowledge for notice or knowledge.
Pub. L. 89–719Subsec. (b)(3) to (10). added pars. (3) to (10).
Pub. L. 89–719Subsecs. (c) to (e). added subsecs. (c) to (e).
Pub. L. 89–719Subsec. (f)(1). redesignated provisions of former subsec. (a)(1) to (3) as subsec. (f)(1).
Pub. L. 89–719Subsec. (f)(2). added par. (2).
Pub. L. 89–719Subsec. (f)(3). redesignated provisions of former subsec. (b) as subsec. (f)(3) and substituted provisions that the form and content of the notice be prescribed by the Secretary or his delegate for provisions limiting the effectiveness of the notice to situations in which the notice is in such form as would be valid if filed with the clerk of the United States district court when state or territory law fails to designate an office for the filing of notice.
Pub. L. 89–719Subsec. (g). added subsec. (g).
Pub. L. 89–719Subsec. (h)(1), (2). added pars. (1) and (2).
Pub. L. 89–719Subsec. (h)(3). redesignated provisions of former subsec. (d)(2) as subsec. (h)(3).
Pub. L. 89–719Subsec. (h)(4). redesignated provisions of former subsec. (c)(2) as subsec. (h)(4).
Pub. L. 89–719Subsec. (h)(5), (6). added pars. (5), (6).
Pub. L. 89–719Subsec. (i)(1), (2). added pars. (1), (2).
Pub. L. 89–719Subsec. (i)(3). redesignated provisions of former subsec. (e) as subsec. (i)(3) and substituted “regulations” for “rules and relations”.
Pub. L. 88–272, § 236(c)(1)1964—Subsec. (a). , substituted “subsections (c) and (d)” for “subsection (c)”.
Pub. L. 88–272, § 236(a)Subsecs. (d), (e). , added subsec. (d) and redesignated former subsec. (d) as (e).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
Pub. L. 115–97section 11002(e) of Pub. L. 115–97section 1 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
section 1102(d)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 105–206section 1102(f)(1) of Pub. L. 105–206section 7803 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .
Pub. L. 105–206, title III, § 3435(c)112 Stat. 761
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Pub. L. 104–168, title V, § 501(d)110 Stat. 1461
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11317(c)104 Stat. 1388–458
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1015(s)(2)102 Stat. 3573
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Pub. L. 99–514, title XV, § 1569(b)100 Stat. 2764
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Pub. L. 95–600, title VII, § 702(q)(3)92 Stat. 2938Pub. L. 99–514, § 2100 Stat. 2095
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
section 1202(h)(2) of Pub. L. 94–455section 1202(i) of Pub. L. 94–455section 6103 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .
Pub. L. 94–455, title XX, § 2008(d)(3)90 Stat. 1893
Effective Date of 1966 Amendments
Pub. L. 89–719, title I, § 114(a)80 Stat. 1146
General Rule .—
Exceptions .—
Liability for Withheld Taxes.—
Pub. L. 89–493, § 2180 Stat. 266
Effective Date of 1964 Amendment
Pub. L. 88–272, title II, § 236(d)78 Stat. 128