IRS files $1.5 million tax lien against Chrisleys after pardon

Todd and Julie Chrisley are facing new financial obligations following a federal tax lien filed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The lien, totaling $1,571,452, was recorded in Davidson County, Tennessee, on Aug. 19, 2026, according to records obtained by Page Six.

Details of the Tax Lien

The filing lists two separate unpaid tax assessments tied to specific tax years. According to Page Six, the assessments include:

• $142,410.72 for the tax period ending Dec. 31, 2021.
• $1,429,041.89 for the tax period ending Dec. 31, 2022.

The assessments were dated Dec. 5, 2022, and Dec. 11, 2023, respectively. WSB-TV reports that the new tax lien is unrelated to the convictions that were covered by President Donald Trump’s pardon. The filing concerns alleged unpaid federal tax obligations assessed after the years at issue in the criminal case.

Background on Convictions and Pardon

The Chrisleys, known for the reality television show "Chrisley Knows Best," were federally indicted in 2019. Prosecutors alleged the couple submitted false documents to banks to obtain loans and failed to properly report income from their show. A federal jury found them guilty of bank fraud and tax evasion in June 2022.

Todd Chrisley, 57, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while Julie Chrisley, 53, received a seven-year sentence. Both were ordered to serve supervised release after prison. They reported to federal prison facilities in Florida in January 2023. Todd served time at a federal prison camp in Pensacola, Florida, and Julie was held at a federal correctional institution in Tallahassee, Florida.

In May 2025, President Donald Trump pardoned the couple, wiping away their convictions and ending their prison sentences. The pardons covered the federal offenses for which the couple had been convicted, including the supervised release requirements.

Family Response and Current Status

During their incarceration, their daughter Savannah Chrisley, 29, publicly advocated for their release. She attended events in Washington and spoke about their imprisonment, stating, "The fight for justice is far from over."

Savannah also shared details about their time in prison on her podcast, "Unlocked." In an October 2023 episode, she noted that Todd taught a financial class while incarcerated. "Dad’s definitely taught some classes too," Savannah said. "Which, how ironic?" She also disclosed that Julie taught a real estate class.

Since their release in 2025, Todd and Julie Chrisley have resumed public activities, including hosting the podcast "Chrisley Confessions 2.0." Neither Todd nor Julie Chrisley had publicly responded to the reported lien as of Friday afternoon, according to WSB-TV. Page Six reported that they reached out for comment but did not receive a response.

Why it matters

This development highlights the distinction between criminal pardons and civil tax liabilities. While the presidential pardon erased the criminal convictions for bank fraud and tax evasion, it did not eliminate separate federal tax assessments for the years 2021 and 2022. The lien indicates that the IRS continues to pursue unpaid federal taxes from the couple, independent of the criminal case that led to their imprisonment.

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Sources

• wsbtv.com: Todd and Julie Chrisley face $1.5 million federal tax lien - WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta
• pagesix.com: Exclusive | Todd and Julie Chrisley in $1.5m tax debt after pardon for tax evasion
• yahoo.com: Todd & Julie Chrisley Face Fresh Trouble Despite Donald Trump Pardons

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.