Mortgage With a CRA Lien —
Clear It and
Restore Clean Title
A registered CRA lien clouds your title and stops a bank from funding — but an equity-based lender can refinance to pay CRA out and clear the lien, restoring clean title and reopening the path back to prime.
Four reasons equity wins
over a registered CRA claim.
A lien is a wall — but an equity-based refinance clears it. Here’s how we turn a blocked title into a funded exit.
Equity-based approval
Your home's value — not your credit score or income alone — is the primary qualifier. Meaningful equity is what makes a CRA lien payout possible, even with a bruised credit profile.
CRA paid out at closing
The mortgage funds, your lawyer pays CRA in trust, and CRA removes the lien once the debt is settled. Clean title is registered under the new lender — the lien is gone.
Income tax · HST/GST · Payroll
We handle income tax, HST/GST, payroll source deductions, and corporate tax liens — including deemed-trust claims that rank ahead of existing mortgages without appearing on title.
Private capital moves quickly
Where enforcement is imminent, private lenders can often fund within days of appraisal. We match urgency to lender type so you don't pay private-tier rates when a B-lender timeline is fine.
From registered lien
to clean title — three steps.
Confirm the priority. Fund the payout. Discharge the lien.
That sequence never changes.
Confirm the lien
We (and your lawyer) confirm what CRA has registered, the amount owing by tax year and type, and its priority. A parcel register shows the title position and any deemed-trust exposure.
Clear it with equity
A B-lender or private refinance is sized to pay CRA out and clear the lien. We disclose the rate, LTV, fees and timeline in writing — every number — before you commit.
Restore title + plan exit
Your lawyer pays CRA from the funds, and CRA generally removes the lien once the debt is paid, restoring clean title. We then set a target to refinance back to A pricing as your file stabilizes.
CRA lien scenarios
we handle every day.
Tap any situation below to see how we approach it.
If you’re…You have a personal income tax lien registered on your property
You have a personal income tax lien registered on your property
CRA certifies the debt through a Federal Court certificate or provincial judgment, then registers against your title. A B-lender refinance sized to pay CRA out and cover costs can clear the lien at closing — equity is the key qualifier.
Check my optionsIf you’re…CRA has asserted a deemed trust for unremitted HST/GST or payroll
CRA has asserted a deemed trust for unremitted HST/GST or payroll
A deemed trust can rank ahead of your existing mortgage — even without being registered on title. These files are urgent. Private capital can often move within days once the appraisal is complete and your lawyer is instructed.
Get an urgent reviewIf you’re…Enforcement action has been scheduled or is imminent
Enforcement action has been scheduled or is imminent
More runway means cheaper options — but if the clock is tight, private lenders can fund fast. Tell us your timeline on the first call so we match the lender to the urgency and don't waste time on paths that can't close in time.
Start nowIf you’re…You want to sell but CRA must be paid from the sale proceeds
You want to sell but CRA must be paid from the sale proceeds
A mortgage isn't always required — if the sale itself covers the CRA balance, proceeds flow through your lawyer. But if a bridge is needed before sale, a short-term private lend can buy the runway.
Talk through my saleIf you’re…You're a director and CRA assessed you personally for corporate remittances
You're a director and CRA assessed you personally for corporate remittances
Director liability assessments for unremitted payroll or HST/GST can become personal liens. If it's registered on your personal property, the same equity-based refinance path applies — subject to what else is on title.
Review my situationIf you’re…The lien is cleared and you want back to a competitive rate
The lien is cleared and you want back to a competitive rate
That's the plan. Once CRA is paid, title is clean, and you've maintained a clean tax and payment history (commonly 12–24 months), we refinance you back to A-lender pricing. We track your file and initiate the conversation proactively.
Plan my exitThe cost of waiting
vs. the cost of acting.
CRA interest compounds daily. An equity-based refinance stops the clock and restores a path back to prime.
- Home value$800,000
- Existing mortgage$350,000
- CRA lien registered$65,000
- CRA interest (~10%/yr)~$6,500/year
- Title statusClouded — bank blocked
- 3-year compounding cost~$21,500
- New mortgage~$447,000
- LTV (of $800K)55.9% — under 80%
- CRA lienCleared at closing
- CRA interest$0
- Title statusClean — path to prime
- Equity remaining~$353,000
Illustrative only — your balance, lien amount, LTV and costs will differ. CRA interest rate approximated at ~10% (prescribed rate + 4%); verify your actual rate with CRA. Sources: CRA — Putting a lien on your assets · CMHC Residential Mortgage Industry Report Q3 2025
Common questions,
clear answers.
Deemed trust, equity limits, speed, cost — answered plainly.
Can I refinance with a CRA lien on my title?
Not with a bank — a CRA lien clouds your title and A-lenders won't fund behind an enforceable Crown claim. But a B-lender or private lender will refinance against your equity to pay CRA out and clear the lien at closing, restoring clean title. It depends mainly on your equity.
What is a CRA deemed trust?
For amounts you collected for the Crown — HST/GST and payroll source deductions — CRA can assert a deemed trust that can rank ahead of your existing mortgage, not behind it, even though it isn't registered on title. That's what makes these claims uniquely serious for a homeowner. The precise legal scope is a matter for your tax lawyer.
How much equity do I need to clear a CRA lien?
Generally the new mortgage (existing balance + CRA payout + costs) needs to stay under about 80% of value at alt-A, or 65–75% on private. Illustrative and varies by file. Meaningful equity is what makes the payout work.
How fast can this close?
Private files can often fund within days once an appraisal is done and the lawyer is instructed; a B-lender takes longer. Timelines vary by file, title and legal requirements. If enforcement is scheduled, tell us — more runway means cheaper options.
What does it cost?
A B-lender prices above A-lender rates plus a fee; the 25 largest private MIEs averaged about 9.6% on single-family files in Q3 2025 per CMHC, plus fees. It's a temporary premium — and almost always cheaper than a CRA balance compounding daily under an enforceable lien.
Can I get back to a bank afterward?
Yes — that's the plan. Once CRA is cleared, title is clean, and you've kept a clean tax and credit history (commonly around 12–24 months), we refinance you back to A-lender pricing. See our guide on refinancing back to an A-lender after CRA debt.
Is this the same as your CRA debt service?
It's the registered-lien version. For the full picture — active balances, all tax types, the pre-lien vs post-lien decision — see our CRA debt mortgage hub at /cra-debt-mortgage.
We’ll try to beat your rate.
If we can’t, we pay you $500.¹
¹ Rate Beat: eligible Big-6 bank written offers only · same product, term & amount · $500 paid to you or your nominated charity at closing · conditions apply
Find a CRA lien specialist in your city
CRA liens follow the same equity-based approval path nationwide — but local lender relationships, appraisal turnaround and legal timelines vary by market. We have advisors who handle these files across Ontario and Canada.