I read in the article about a lien based on an income tax debt, but they don't foreclose houses (usually) for such a thing, and the IRS is not mentioned as the foreclosing party. This is just one of those typical liens put on property for failure to pay a debt. Mechanics liens, Tax liens, ... why, I've even heard of private home-health-aide debts going against a property as a lien.
(My brief and old temporary career as an abstractor is coming in handy....)