Tax Lien Lawyers in Lexington

In Lexington, Massachusetts, 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.

In Lexington, Massachusetts, a "tax lien" is simply a lien imposed by the government to collect back taxes from a person or corporation, when other methods for collecting have failed.

Tax Liens in Lexington, Massachusetts are generally only effective if the taxpayer has a significant amount of property on which a lien can be placed. However, it's necessary to note that virtually any property, including that which is acquired after the lien is imposed, can be subject to a tax lien.

Tax Lien Procedure in Lexington, Massachusetts

The process of imposing a tax lien on property in Lexington, Massachusetts 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.

They will then mail a document called a "notice and demand," which lets the taxpayer know that they owe money on their taxes, and that they have a certain period of time (usually 10 days) to pay what they owe.

If that time period expires, and the debtor still hasn't paid, the Massachusetts tax lien will go into effect automatically, with no further action required.

But, these rights are limited. In Lexington, Massachusetts, and everywhere else in the United States, the IRS has 10 years to enforce a tax lien. If they do nothing about it within 10 years, the lien expires. This rule exists for a few reasons. First, it encourages the IRS to act as quickly and efficiently as possible, and not "sit on its rights." Second, it acknowledges the fact that any encumbrance on a piece of property, such as a lien, makes the property less valuable. By ensuring that the lien will either be satisfied or expire within 10 years, this prevents property from being withheld from the stream of commerce indefinitely.

How Can a Lexington, Massachusetts Tax Lien Lawyer Help?

If you receive notice from the federal government, or the government of Massachusetts that a tax lien has been imposed on your property, some pretty complicated legal issues are necessarily involved.

Fortunately, Lexington, Massachusetts tax attorneys can help. If you are facing the prospect of a tax lien, you should not hesitate to seek competent legal advice, to ensure that your legal rights are protected.