IRS to help struggling homeowners, somewhat

The Internal Revenue Service recently announced a program to speed lien relief for homeowners trying to refinance or sell. While it won't get anyone out of their tax bill or erase a federal lien on their home, it's at least some help if they're trying to sell their home in this tough housing market.

Requesting the IRS to "discharge its claim" doesn't eliminate the lien, but moves it to a different property, such as a car or the taxpayer's wages. Somehow, the IRS will get its money.

The IRS is offering to speed up the process -- it usually takes about 30 days -- to make sure the sale or refinance is completed in a timely manner, and so no one gets kicked out of their home as a result of the lien, according to Marketwatch. Taxpayers can also request that the IRS make a tax lien secondary to the lien by the lender that is refinancing or restructuring a loan. They can also request that the IRS discharge its claim if the home is being sold for less than the amount of the mortgage lien under certain circumstances.