Tax Lien Lawyers in Phenix

In Phenix, Alabama, a "lien" is a security interest placed on a piece of property, typically land or a house, to secure the payment of a debt. It usually gives a creditor the right to take ownership of any equity that exists in the property, to secure the payment of the debt. If the owner sells the property, the creditor may also be entitled to the funds of the sale, up to the amount owed. It can also give the holder of the lien a higher priority status, giving them an advantage over competing creditors, if the debtor files bankruptcy.

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

Of course, a tax lien in Phenix, Alabama isn't worth much more than the paper it's printed on if the debtor doesn't own any property of value, on which a lien could be placed. Nonetheless, a tax lien applies to property that the taxpayer obtains even after the lien is created. Apparently, this makes it quite a bit easier for the government to collect its taxes.

Tax Lien Procedure in Phenix, Alabama

In Phenix, Alabama, the procedure for imposing a tax lien is relatively simple. First, the IRS makes a decision that a person is delinquent in their tax requirement.

At this point, the taxpayer will receive a letter containing a "notice and demand," which, as the name suggests, gives notice that the recipient owes taxes, and demands quick payment. It will typically give the taxpayer about 10 days to pay the demanded amount.

If the deadline passes without payment, most tax liens in Alabama take effect automatically, giving the tax collectors all of the options in your property that any other lien holder would have.

Nonetheless, if the federal government does not seek to enforce a tax lien in Phenix, Alabama 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 guarantee that property is not encumbered by a lien forever.

How Can a Phenix, Alabama Tax Lien Lawyer Help?

If you are notified by the government that you owe back taxes in Alabama, and that they are going to pursue a tax lien to collect their money, things can get very confusing, quite quickly.

Therefore, it's important that you contact a tax attorney in Phenix, Alabama to ensure that whatever legal rights you have in this situation are defended. Your attorney will also be able to advise you on how to best deal with the situation.