Tax Lien Lawyers in Berwick

In Berwick, Louisiana, a "lien" is a type of property right, which is created by a court to obtain payment of a lawful debt. Generally, a valid lien gives its holder the right to seize the property subject to it, or at least some of the property's equity, to satisfy the debt. If the owner sells a piece of property that's subject to a lien, the creditor who owns the lien may be entitled to the proceeds, up to the amount you owe them. It can also put them "first in line" compared to other creditors, if the debtor files for bankruptcy.

A "tax lien," then, is a lien held by the government to collect a tax-related debt from a private entity, such as a person or corporation in Berwick, Louisiana.

However, like any other debt-collection method, a tax lien is worthless if the debtor has no significant property on which a lien can be imposed. To get around this limitation, most tax liens in Berwick, Louisiana apply to after-acquired property (property obtained after the lien was created). Most other liens only apply to specific pieces of property, or property that the debtor owned at the time the lien went into effect.

Tax Lien Procedure in Berwick, Louisiana

In Berwick, Louisiana, 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.

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 the back taxes are not paid before the deadline is up, the lien will usually take effect immediately, with no further action by the IRS or Louisiana tax agency, giving them all the rights in your property that the law allows.

However, if the federal government does not seek to enforce a tax lien in Berwick, Louisiana 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 Berwick, Louisiana Tax Lien Lawyer Help?

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

Luckily for you, tax lawyers in Berwick, Louisiana 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.