Is there a way to get an inactive tag?

As long as it's on the servers, there's no way for you to take it. The system is in use on other Microsoft services as well, so even if they're not active on an Xbox, they may still be using the account elsewhere.

Well.not.only that but .you .can't .use.the new.name anyways you waited too long

The limit.is 11 characters you should've.changed it.long ago with a different spelling

Now you can't..use.the new.

Regardless if it gets freed up

The previous account would've.been made before the system.upgrade allowing you to get any name you want with a hashtag upto 11 characters

If the tag belongs to an inactive account would it not be available for lookup? Could that be why I'm having this issue? Also, if the account is inactive is there anyway for me to get the tag? Also, is there a way to search for inactive gamertags like
mine possibly is?

there is nothing to say the account that owns the gamertag is not in use, gamertags and microsoft accounts can be in use elsewhere on the system, if fully set to private you wont see any usage anyway. if the account is not used for 5 years will be closed and the tag may be freed. as an example i have another account i specifically use for one purpose, it has a custom gamertag too, no usage can be seen on it but i use the account still and have had that one for 18 years.

Ya be more creative with your spellings

Or wait till it's available