Tax Lien Lawyers in Jefferson County

In Jefferson County, Texas, a "lien" is defined as a property right that's granted to a creditor against a piece of property owned by a debtor, for the purpose of collecting on the debt if the debtor is unwilling or unable to pay. A lien permits its owner to exercise some control over the property that is the subject of the lien. This includes the right to force a sale of the property, and to seize the resulting revenue, and priority access to the property ahead of other creditors.

A tax lien, then, is simply a lien that is created for the specific purpose of collecting taxes from a delinquent tax payer in Jefferson County, Texas.

Tax Liens in Jefferson County, Texas are usually only effective if the taxpayer has a significant amount of property on which a lien can be placed. However, it's important to note that virtually any property, including that which is acquired after the lien is imposed, can be subject to a tax lien.

Tax Lien Procedure in Jefferson County, Texas

The process of imposing a tax lien on property in Jefferson County, Texas is typically fairly simple. The first step is for the IRS or local tax agency to determine that a person truly owes back taxes, and that it is worth the effort to impose a lien.

They will then mail a document called a "notice and demand," which lets the taxpayer know that they owe money on their taxes, and that they have a given period of time (typically 10 days) to pay what they owe.

If that time period expires, and the debtor still hasn't paid, the Texas tax lien will go into effect automatically, with no further action required.

However, if the federal government does not seek to enforce a tax lien in Jefferson County, Texas within 10 years of imposing it, federal law dictates that the lien automatically expires. This is effectively a statute of limitations on a tax lien, meant to encourage the federal government to collect its taxes in a reasonable period of time, and ensure that property is not encumbered by a lien forever.

How Can a Jefferson County, Texas Tax Lien Lawyer Help?

If the federal government, or the government of Texas informs you that they intend to place a tax lien on your property, you will likely face some pretty intricate and daunting legal issues.

Thankfully for you, tax lawyers in Jefferson County, Texas are experts at dealing with matters such as these, and can make sure your rights are protected, and advise you on the best way to proceed, if you are facing the prospect of a tax lien.