Tax liens may remain unpaid provided the lien holder subordinates the tax lien to the FHA insured mortgage loan. If any regular payments are made, they must be included in the qualifying ratios.  Since the IRS routinely takes a second mortgage position without the necessity of independent documentation, eligibility for FHA mortgage insurance will not be jeopardized by outstanding IRS tax liens remaining on the property unless the FHA mortgage lender has information that the IRS has demanded a first mortgage position.