Tax Lien Lawyers in Cedar Rapids
In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a "lien" is a security interest placed on a piece of property, usually land or a house, to secure the payment of a debt. It generally 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 proceeds 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.
A tax lien, then, is simply a lien that is created for the specific purpose of collecting taxes from a delinquent tax payer in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Tax liens in Cedar Rapids, Iowa are ineffective if the taxpayer doesn't have any property to place the lien on. However, virtually any property, including that which the taxpayer obtains after the lien goes into effect, can be affected by a tax lien.
Tax Lien Procedure in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
The process of imposing a tax lien on property in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is usually fairly simple. The first step is for the IRS or local tax agency to determine that a person actually owes back taxes, and that it is worth the effort to impose a lien.
Then, the taxpayer is sent a letter with a "notice and demand," which informs the taxpayer that the IRS has determined that they owe back taxes, and that they have a short period of time (usually 10 days) to pay them without incurring a penalty.
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 Iowa 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 Cedar Rapids, Iowa 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 Cedar Rapids, Iowa Tax Lien Lawyer Help?
If you end up having a tax lien imposed on your property in Iowa, you will probably have to deal with some fairly difficult legal issues, which might be confusing to a layperson.
Accordingly, if you think that any piece of property you own might become subject to a tax lien in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, you should not hesitate to seek the advice of a competent tax attorney immediately.