how long does a paid tax lien stay on your Credit Report?

My ex had a $326 state tax lien in California that was filed 12/97 while we were still married. I took out a loan 6/06 and found out about the lien which I paid just to get it off my record. How many years before it will be off my record, or is it even affecting my credit scores now?

I think a lien remains in the credit report for 10 years. Other members please correct me if I am wrong.

I'm pretty sure it's 7 years because I just had one removed from mine recently and it was almost 7 years to the day.

7 years from when it was filed or 7 years from when it was paid?

Does anyone know if it stays on my credit report for 7 years from when it was filed or 7 years from when it was paid?

And do paid tax liens affect credit scores?

New question ... can these be disputed? Even though it wasn't legally mine, we were married and was in my name as well and I did pay it, so ... can I dispute it?

Paid tax liens remain for 7 years, unpaid tax liens stay indefinitely.

Paid tax liens are considered a negative notation so I believe they are calculated into your scores.

Any item on your credit report can be disputed. I would dispute it.

I know they remain for 7 years, but is it 7 years from the date I paid it or is it 7 years from when it was put on to the credit report?

7 years from last activity, same as with any other credit report item. so if your payment was the last transaction, then it will be from date paid.

ugghhhh well okay ... so has anyone here successfully had a paid tax lien disputed/removed?

This might be a dumb question but what is a tax lien and why do you get one?

Tax lien is a security interest that is imposed by law on your property in order to secure your payment of tax. Some of the possible reasons for imposition of Tax Lien is: -
1. Delinquent taxes on personal/real property
2. Income tax or other tax payment failure

My ex didn't send our tax return in back in 1996 (I think), we owed about $100 which turned into $326 due to interest and penalties and I got stuck with it, and it was his part of the return that made us owe in the first place! I could have ignored it but could never get credit if one of us didn't deal with it, and he sure wasn't going to. It just sucks that it stays on for so many years after paying it, I will be penalized for a 19 year old item that wasn't even mine by the time it falls off! *sigh* such is life, eh?

I would dispute it. Was it reported by a CA and not the tax authority? If it was reported by a CA, you can request DV, and of course, if they don't validate, they can't report. (Usually after they get paid, they don't care about reporting it any more.)

Don't fret...just take a pro-active approach. It might all work out just fine.

Good Luck!

no it was reported by the State of California (and thank heck I moved away from there!)

Perhaps try calling California and explain the situation, you now paid it and see if they would be willing to remove it. Can't hurt to ask.

If it's something your ex did, you should ask about injured/innocent spouse relief. Most states offer something like that.