Tax Lien Lawyers in Kalamazoo County

In Kalamazoo County, Michigan, a "lien" is a type of property right, which is created by a court to acquire payment of a lawful debt. Usually, 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 additionally put them "first in line" compared to other creditors, if the debtor files for bankruptcy.

A tax lien, then, is simply a lien that is formed for the particular purpose of collecting taxes from a delinquent tax payer in Kalamazoo County, Michigan.

Tax Liens in Kalamazoo County, Michigan are usually only effective if the taxpayer has a significant amount of property on which a lien can be placed. However, it's important to note that basically any property, including that which is acquired after the lien is imposed, can be subject to a tax lien.

Tax Lien Procedure in Kalamazoo County, Michigan

In Kalamazoo County, Michigan, the process for creating a tax lien is fairly uncomplicated. First, the tax authorities decide that a taxpayer truly owes taxes that they haven't paid (that they're delinquent in their taxes).

At this point, they will send the taxpayer a written notice stating that they owe a particular amount of money in back taxes, and that they have a small window of time (frequently 10 days or less) to pay it.

If this 10-day period expires without payment, the tax lien arises automatically. Once this happens, the tax authorities in Michigan have all the options in the taxpayer's property that any other lien holder would have, containing priority over competing creditors.

But, under federal law, there are limits to how tax liens can be enforced in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, and elsewhere. Usually, the IRS has 10 years to try and enforce a tax lien. If no effort is made to enforce a tax lien for 10 years, the lien is automatically lifted, and the lien holder loses all rights in it. This rule exists to ensure that the government collects its taxes in a reasonable time period, and it prevents valuable property (which could otherwise be contributing to the economy by being bought and sold) is not laded with a lien for an indefinite period of time.

How Can a Kalamazoo County, Michigan Tax Lien Lawyer Help?

If you find yourself on the receiving end of a tax lien in Michigan, you are going to have to wade through some substantial and complicated legal concerns.

Luckily, Kalamazoo County, Michigan tax attorneys can help. If you are facing the prospect of a tax lien, you should not hesitate to seek skilled legal advice, to ensure that your legal rights are protected.