IRS hits Sen. Justice with $8 million tax lien

West Virginia Sen. Jim Justice's finances are in the spotlight after the Internal Revenue Service recently filed notices of a federal tax lien totaling more than $8 million against him and his wife, Cathy.

The lien was officially recorded in Greenbrier County earlier this month. Two documents, both prepared and signed on September 30 and stamped by the county clerk on October 2, show the balance of unpaid federal tax assessments, which appears to be nearing the end of the IRS's 10-year window for collection.

According to public records reviewed by POLITICO, this is the only recorded lien filed directly against Justice, a Republican and former two-term governor.

One of the assessments listed in the lien dates back to November 25, 2015, which could explain the timing of the IRS's action, as the agency generally has a decade to pursue collection from the date of assessment.

When asked about the lien, an IRS spokesperson declined to comment on the specifics, citing federal privacy laws. Instead, the agency pointed to its general guidance on tax liens, which states that a notice may be filed at any time within the 10-year collection period.

Justice's office did not respond to a request for comment.