How to Remove a Lien With the Wisconsin Department of Revenue

If you owe state taxes in Wisconsin, expect a tax warrant. This serves as a lien; it puts a hold on a taxpayer's real or personal property that prevents him from disposing of it until he has paid his taxes. Wisconsin attaches wages and tax refunds, sells property and levies bank accounts to collect. Since tax warrants are public records, they also affect credit rating. Delinquent taxpayers remove Wisconsin tax liens by paying the outstanding tax in full or with installment payments.

Email the Wisconsin Department of Revenue at delnqtax@revenue.wi.gov to request assistance to resolve your outstanding tax warrants. Appear in person, telephone or contact their delinquent tax section on the Internet (see References).

Provide the department with your name, address and phone number. Also, provide your Social Security or federal employer identification number. Alternatively, identify yourself with an account number from a Department of Revenue notice. Also, provide copies of correspondence and documentation about the warrant.

Ask for your total current liability. This will include your outstanding taxes as well as a delinquent tax collection fee plus interest from the date the tax was due to the date it is paid.

Present any information to the department showing that the tax assessment is in error or that it has been paid. If convinced, the department will remove the warrant.

Pay the entire amount or set up a payment schedule if you do not convince the department that the tax was in error. Write a check or obtain a money order payable to the "Wisconsin Department of Revenue." Alternatively, pay the amount by credit card. The Department accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners. Pay a small additional fee for this convenience.