The Internal Revenue Service has placed a lien on property owned by Alabaster Mayor David Frings and his wife, Jennifer, for owing more than $30,000 in back taxes.

The lien was filed March 24 in Shelby County Probate Court. The Frings owe $8,590 in personal income taxes from 2005 and $22,173 in personal income taxes from 2006.

A lien serves to “protect the government’s interest in looking after tax debts,” said IRS spokesman Dan Boone. Boone emphasized a lien is not a government seizure of assets, but rather prevents taxpayers from transferring property without the IRS’ involvement.

Attempts to reach Frings Friday morning were not successful.

The IRS can refile for the Frings’ unpaid 2005 taxes through July, 16, 2018, according to the lien notice. The IRS can refile for the unpaid 2006 taxes through March 13, 2018. Boone said the IRS enforces a 10-year statute of collection, and attempts to collect debts before the deadline date.

Penalties and interest rates continue to grow during the 10-year period, Boone added.

Boone declined to comment on penalties for failure to pay, saying he could not speak about individual cases.