Tax Lien Lawyers in Aberdeen
In Aberdeen, Maryland, a "lien" is a type of property right, which is created by a court to acquire 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 Aberdeen, Maryland, a "tax lien" is simply a lien imposed by the government to collect back taxes from a citizen or corporation, when other methods for collecting have failed.
Tax Liens in Aberdeen, Maryland are generally only effective if the taxpayer has a significant amount of property on which a lien can be placed. However, it's essential 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 Aberdeen, Maryland
The actual process of setting up an Aberdeen, Maryland tax lien is usually pretty simple. The agency responsible for collecting taxes must first decide that a tax lien is warranted, usually by finding that the debtor owes a significant amount of back 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 (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 Maryland tax agency will have significant rights against the taxpayer's property.
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 Aberdeen, Maryland 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 Aberdeen, Maryland Tax Lien Lawyer Help?
If you receive notice from the federal government, or the government of Maryland that a tax lien has been imposed on your property, some pretty complicated legal issues are necessarily involved.
So, it should go without saying that if you are facing the prospect of your home or vehicle being slapped with a tax lien, you need to seek the advice of a reputable tax lawyer in Aberdeen, Maryland as soon as you can.