Tax Lien Lawyers in Beckley

A "lien" in Beckley, West Virginia is a type of security interest that one person or entity has in someone else's property. Typically, a lien is created by a court, to secure payment of a debt. A lien gives its holder many rights in the property that is subject to it, including the right to seize the proceeds if the property is sold, and priority access to the property, in front of other creditors.

As you might have gathered, a "tax lien" is simply a lien placed on property by the IRS or Beckley, West Virginia tax authorities, to collect taxes that the property-owner has failed to pay.

However, a tax lien in Beckley, West Virginia will be ineffective if the debtor doesn't own any valuable property to encumber with a lien. As with any debt, the creditor can't collect if the debtor doesn't have any assets. However, a tax lien can be applied to property that the taxpayer acquires after the lien goes into effect.

Tax Lien Procedure in Beckley, West Virginia

In Beckley, West Virginia, the procedure for imposing a tax lien is relatively simple. First, the IRS makes a determination that a person is delinquent in their tax obligation.

At this point, they will send the taxpayer a written notice stating that they owe a certain amount of money in back taxes, and that they have a small window of time (often 10 days or less) to pay it.

If this deadline expires, and the debtor does not pay the taxes they owe, the lien will take effect automatically. When this occurs, the IRS or West Virginia tax agency will have significant rights against the taxpayer's property.

However, there are limits to how and when a tax lien can be enforced, at least under federal law. The IRS has 10 years to enforce a tax lien in Beckley, West Virginia or anywhere else in the U.S. If it never bothers to take action to seize property that's subject to a tax lien, the lien simply ceases to exist after 10 years. This rule is in place to ensure that the government does not sit on its rights, and to prevent potentially-valuable property from being encumbered indefinitely. Basically, it creates a measure of certainty for both parties.

How Can a Beckley, West Virginia Tax Lien Lawyer Help?

If you find yourself on the receiving end of a tax lien in West Virginia, you are going to have to wade through some substantial and complex legal issues.

Accordingly, if you think that any piece of property you own might become subject to a tax lien in Beckley, West Virginia, you should not hesitate to seek the advice of a competent tax attorney immediately.