26 U.S.C. § 6323
(b) Protection for certain interests even though notice filed Even though notice of a lien imposed by section 6321 has been filed, such lien shall not be valid—
(1) Securities With respect to a security (as defined in subsection (h)(4))—
(2) Motor vehicles With respect to a motor vehicle (as defined in subsection (h)(3)), as against a purchaser of such motor vehicle, if—
(6) Real property tax and special assessment liens With respect to real property, as against a holder of a lien upon such property, if such lien is entitled under local law to priority over security interests in such property which are prior in time, and such lien secures payment of—
(9) Certain insurance contracts With respect to a life insurance, endowment, or annuity contract, as against the organization which is the insurer under such contract, at any time—
(c) Protection for certain commercial transactions financing agreements, etc.
(1) In general To the extent provided in this subsection, even though notice of a lien imposed by section 6321 has been filed, such lien shall not be valid with respect to a security interest which came into existence after tax lien filing but which—
(A) is in qualified property covered by the terms of a written agreement entered into before tax lien filing and constituting—
(2) Commercial transactions financing agreement For purposes of this subsection—
(A) Definition The term “commercial transactions financing agreement” means an agreement (entered into by a person in the course of his trade or business)—
but such an agreement shall be treated as coming within the term only to the extent that such loan or purchase is made before the 46th day after the date of tax lien filing or (if earlier) before the lender or purchaser had actual notice or knowledge of such tax lien filing.
(3) Real property construction or improvement financing agreement For purposes of this subsection—
(A) Definition The term “real property construction or improvement financing agreement” means an agreement to make cash disbursements to finance—
For purposes of clause (iii), the furnishing of goods and services shall be treated as the disbursement of cash.
(B) Limitation on qualified property The term “qualified property”, when used with respect to a real property construction or improvement financing agreement, includes only—
(4) Obligatory disbursement agreement For purposes of this subsection—
(C) Special rules for surety agreements Where the obligatory disbursement agreement is an agreement ensuring the performance of a contract between the taxpayer and another person—
(d) 45-day period for making disbursements Even though notice of a lien imposed by section 6321 has been filed, such lien shall not be valid with respect to a security interest which came into existence after tax lien filing by reason of disbursements made before the 46th day after the date of tax lien filing, or (if earlier) before the person making such disbursements had actual notice or knowledge of tax lien filing, but only if such security interest—
(e) Priority of interest and expenses If the lien imposed by section 6321 is not valid as against a lien or security interest, the priority of such lien or security interest shall extend to—
to the extent that, under local law, any such item has the same priority as the lien or security interest to which it relates.
(f) Place for filing notice; form
(1) Place for filing The notice referred to in subsection (a) shall be filed—
(A) Under State laws
(2) Situs of property subject to lien For purposes of paragraphs (1) and (4), property shall be deemed to be situated—
For purposes of paragraph (2)(B), the residence of a corporation or partnership shall be deemed to be the place at which the principal executive office of the business is located, and the residence of a taxpayer whose residence is without the United States shall be deemed to be in the District of Columbia.
(4) Indexing required with respect to certain real property In the case of real property, if—
then the notice of lien referred to in subsection (a) shall not be treated as meeting the filing requirements under paragraph (1) unless the fact of filing is entered and recorded in the index referred to in subparagraph (B) in such a manner that a reasonable inspection of the index will reveal the existence of the lien.
(g) Refiling of notice For purposes of this section—
(2) Place for filing A notice of lien refiled during the required refiling period shall be effective only—
(A) if—
(3) Required refiling period In the case of any notice of lien, the term “required refiling period” means—
(h) Definitions For purposes of this section and section 6324—
(6) Purchaser The term “purchaser” means a person who, for adequate and full consideration in money or money’s worth, acquires an interest (other than a lien or security interest) in property which is valid under local law against subsequent purchasers without actual notice. In applying the preceding sentence for purposes of subsection (a) of this section, and for purposes of section 6324—
which is not a lien or security interest shall be treated as an interest in property.
(i) Special rules
(4) Cost-of-living adjustment In the case of notices of liens imposed by section 6321 which are filed in any calendar year after 1998, each of the dollar amounts under paragraph (4) or (7) of subsection (b) shall be increased by an amount equal to—
If any amount as adjusted under the preceding sentence is not a multiple of $10, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $10.
(j) Withdrawal of notice in certain circumstances
(1) In general The Secretary may withdraw a notice of a lien filed under this section and this chapter shall be applied as if the withdrawn notice had not been filed, if the Secretary determines that—
Any such withdrawal shall be made by filing notice at the same office as the withdrawn notice. A copy of such notice of withdrawal shall be provided to the taxpayer.
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 779; Pub. L. 88–272, title II, § 236(a), (c)(1), , 78 Stat. 127, 128; Pub. L. 89–493, § 17(a), , 80 Stat. 266; Pub. L. 89–719, title I, § 101(a), , 80 Stat. 1125; Pub. L. 94–455, title XII, § 1202(h)(2), title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A), title XX, § 2008(c), , 90 Stat. 1688, 1834, 1892; Pub. L. 95–600, title VII, § 702(q)(1), (2), , 92 Stat. 2937, 2938; Pub. L. 99–514, title XV, § 1569(a), , 100 Stat. 2764; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1015(s)(1), , 102 Stat. 3573; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, §§ 11317(b), 11704(a)(26), , 104 Stat. 1388–458, 1388–519; Pub. L. 104–168, title V, § 501(a), , 110 Stat. 1460; Pub. L. 105–206, title I, § 1102(d)(1)(A), title III, § 3435(a), (b), , 112 Stat. 704, 760, 761.)
Inflation Adjusted Items for Certain Years
For inflation adjustment of certain items in this section, see Revenue Procedures listed in a table under section 1 of this title.
Amendments 1998—Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 105–206, § 3435(a)(1)(A), substituted “$1,000” for “$250”.
Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 105–206, § 3435(a)(1)(B), substituted “$5,000” for “$1,000”.
Subsec. (b)(10). Pub. L. 105–206, § 3435(b), 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.”
Subsec. (i)(4). Pub. L. 105–206, § 3435(a)(2), added par. (4).
Subsec. (j)(1)(D). Pub. L. 105–206, § 1102(d)(1)(A), substituted “National Taxpayer Advocate” for “Taxpayer Advocate” in two places.
1996—Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 104–168 added subsec. (j).
1990—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101–508, § 11704(a)(26), substituted “Purchasers” for “Purchases” in heading.
Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 101–508, § 11317(b), substituted “10 years” for “6 years” wherever appearing.
1988—Subsec. (f)(1)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1015(s)(1)(A), 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.
Subsec. (f)(5). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1015(s)(1)(B), added par. (5).
1986—Subsec. (i)(3). Pub. L. 99–514 added par. (3).
1978—Subsec. (f)(4). Pub. L. 95–600, § 702(q)(1), 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.
Subsec. (g)(2)(A). Pub. L. 95–600, § 702(q)(2), inserted reference to real property.
1976—Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A), struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary” wherever appearing.
Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 94–455, § 2008(c)(1)(B), inserted introductory reference to par. (4).
Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A), struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”.
Subsec. (f)(4). Pub. L. 94–455, § 2008(c)(1)(A), added par. (4).
Subsec. (g)(2)(A), (B). Pub. L. 94–455, §§ 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.
Subsec. (i)(3). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1202(h)(2), struck out par. (3) which related to a special rule respecting disclosure of amount of outstanding lien.
1966—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 89–719 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).
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 89–493 substituted the Recorder of Deeds of the District of Columbia for the clerk of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 89–719 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.
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 89–719 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.
Subsec. (b)(3) to (10). Pub. L. 89–719 added pars. (3) to (10).
Subsecs. (c) to (e). Pub. L. 89–719 added subsecs. (c) to (e).
Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 89–719 redesignated provisions of former subsec. (a)(1) to (3) as subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 89–719 added par. (2).
Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 89–719 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.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 89–719 added subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h)(1), (2). Pub. L. 89–719 added pars. (1) and (2).
Subsec. (h)(3). Pub. L. 89–719 redesignated provisions of former subsec. (d)(2) as subsec. (h)(3).
Subsec. (h)(4). Pub. L. 89–719 redesignated provisions of former subsec. (c)(2) as subsec. (h)(4).
Subsec. (h)(5), (6). Pub. L. 89–719 added pars. (5), (6).
Subsec. (i)(1), (2). Pub. L. 89–719 added pars. (1), (2).
Subsec. (i)(3). Pub. L. 89–719 redesignated provisions of former subsec. (e) as subsec. (i)(3) and substituted “regulations” for “rules and relations”.
1964—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 88–272, § 236(c)(1), substituted “subsections (c) and (d)” for “subsection (c)”.
Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 88–272, § 236(a), added subsec. (d) and redesignated former subsec. (d) as (e).
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment Amendment by section 1102(d)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 105–206 effective , see section 1102(f)(1) of Pub. L. 105–206, set out as a note under section 7803 of this title.
Pub. L. 105–206, title III, § 3435(c), , 112 Stat. 761, provided that:
“The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [
July 22, 1998].”
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment Pub. L. 104–168, title V, § 501(d), , 110 Stat. 1461, provided that:
“The amendments made by this section [amending this section and
section 6343 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [
July 30, 1996].”
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11317(c), , 104 Stat. 1388–458, provided that:
“The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 6502 of this title] shall apply to—
- “(1) taxes assessed after the date of the enactment of this Act [], and
- “(2) taxes assessed on or before such date if the period specified in section 6502 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (determined without regard to the amendments made by subsection (a) [amending section 6502 of this title]) for collection of such taxes has not expired as of such date.”
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1015(s)(2), , 102 Stat. 3573, provided that:
“The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [
Nov. 10, 1988].”
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment Pub. L. 99–514, title XV, § 1569(b), , 100 Stat. 2764, provided that:
“The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [
Oct. 22, 1986].”
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment Pub. L. 95–600, title VII, § 702(q)(3), , 92 Stat. 2938, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, , 100 Stat. 2095, provided that:
- “(A) The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section] shall apply with respect to liens, other security interests, and other interests in real property acquired after the date of the enactment of this Act [].
- “(B) If, after the date of the enactment of this Act, there is a change in the application (or nonapplication) of section 6323(f)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] (as amended by paragraph (1)) with respect to any filing jurisdiction, such change shall apply only with respect to liens, other security interests, and other interests in real property acquired after the date of such change.”
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment Amendment by section 1202(h)(2) of Pub. L. 94–455 effective , see section 1202(i) of Pub. L. 94–455, set out as a note under section 6103 of this title.
Pub. L. 94–455, title XX, § 2008(d)(3), , 90 Stat. 1893, provided that:
“The amendment made by subsection (c) [amending this section] shall take effect—
- “(A) in the case of liens filed before the date of the enactment of this Act [], on the 270th day after such date of enactment, or
- “(B) in the case of liens filed on or after the date of enactment of this Act [], on the 120th day after such date of enactment.”
Effective Date of 1966 Amendments Pub. L. 89–719, title I, § 114(a)–(c), , 80 Stat. 1146, 1147, provided that:
- “(a) General Rule.— Except as otherwise provided, the amendments made by this title [enacting sections 3505, 7425, 7426, and 7810 of this title, amending this section, sections 545, 6322, 6324, 6325, 6331, 6332, 6334, 6335, 6337, 6338, 6339, 6342, 6343, 6502, 6503, 6532, 7402, 7403, 7421, 7424, 7505, 7506, and 7809 of this title, and section 270a of former Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, redesignating former section 7425 as 7427 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and section 7424 of this title] shall apply after the date of enactment of this Act [], regardless of when a lien or a title of the United States arose or when the lien or interest of any other person was acquired.
“(b) Exceptions.— The amendments made by this title shall not apply in any case—
- “(1) in which a lien or a title derived from enforcement of a lien held by the United States has been enforced by a civil action or suit which has become final by judgment, sale, or agreement before the date of enactment of this Act; or
“(2) in which such amendments would—
- “(A) impair a priority enjoyed by any person (other than the United States) holding a lien or interest prior to the date of enactment of this Act;
- “(B) operate to increase the liability of any such person; or
- “(C) shorten the time for bringing suit with respect to transactions occurring before the date of enactment of this Act.
“(c) Liability for Withheld Taxes.—
- “(1) The amendments made by section 105(a) (relating to effect on third parties) [adding section 3505 of this title] shall apply only with respect to wages paid on or after .
- “(2) The amendments made by section 105(b) (relating to performance bonds of contractors for public buildings or works) [amending section 270a of former Title 40] shall apply to contracts entered into pursuant to invitations for bids issued after .”
Pub. L. 89–493, § 21, , 80 Stat. 266, provided that:
“This Act [amending this section] shall take effect on the first day of the first month which is at least ninety days after the date of approval of this Act [
July 5, 1966].”
Effective Date of 1964 Amendment Pub. L. 88–272, title II, § 236(d), , 78 Stat. 128, provided that:
“The amendments made by this section [amending this section and
section 6324 of this title] shall apply only with respect to purchases made after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Feb. 26, 1964.]”