tax lien

/tæks ˌli(ə)n/

Other forms: tax liens

Definitions of tax lien

1. noun

   lien of which a tax collector may avail himself in default of taxes (analogous to a judgment lien)
   types:

   federal tax lien

   lien of the United States on all property of a taxpayer who fails to pay the federal government the taxes for which he or she is liable

   state tax lien

   a lien on the property of a taxpayer that the tax collector can use upon default of payment of taxes

   type of:

   lien

   the right to take another's property if an obligation is not discharged