Tax Lien Lawyers in Brookline
In Brookline, Massachusetts, a "lien" is a type of property right, which is created by a court to acquire payment of a lawful debt. Typically, 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 further put them "first in line" compared to other creditors, if the debtor files for bankruptcy.
In Brookline, Massachusetts, a "tax lien" is simply a lien imposed by the government to compile back taxes from a citizen or corporation, when other methods for collecting have failed.
Tax Liens in Brookline, Massachusetts are typically only effective if the taxpayer has a significant amount of property on which a lien can be placed. However, it's crucial to note that practically any property, including that which is acquired after the lien is imposed, can be subject to a tax lien.
Tax Lien Procedure in Brookline, Massachusetts
In Brookline, Massachusetts, the process for creating a tax lien is fairly uncomplicated. First, the tax authorities decide that a taxpayer really owes taxes that they haven't paid (that they're delinquent in their taxes).
Then, the taxpayer is sent a letter with a "notice and demand," which informs the taxpayer that the IRS has decided that they owe back taxes, and that they have a short period of time (normally 10 days) to pay them without incurring a penalty.
If this 10-day period expires without payment, the tax lien arises automatically. Once this happens, the tax authorities in Massachusetts have all the options in the taxpayer's property that any other lien holder would have, containing priority over competing creditors.
Nonetheless, 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 Brookline, Massachusetts 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 keep potentially-valuable property from being encumbered forever. Essentially, it creates a measure of certainty for both parties.
How Can a Brookline, Massachusetts Tax Lien Lawyer Help?
If you end up having a tax lien imposed on your property in Massachusetts, you will probably have to deal with some fairly hard legal issues, which might be intricate to a layperson.
Therefore, if you think that any piece of property you own might become subject to a tax lien in Brookline, Massachusetts, you should not delay to seek the advice of a qualified tax attorney immediately.