Tax Lien Lawyers in Lansing
In Lansing, Michigan, 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 simply a lien that is created for the specific purpose of collecting taxes from a delinquent tax payer in Lansing, Michigan.
Tax Liens in Lansing, Michigan 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 virtually any property, including that which is acquired after the lien is imposed, can be subject to a tax lien.
Tax Lien Procedure in Lansing, Michigan
In Lansing, Michigan, the process for creating a tax lien is fairly uncomplicated. First, the tax authorities determine that a taxpayer actually 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 certain amount of money in back taxes, and that they have a small window of time (often 10 days or less) to pay it.
If the deadline passes without payment, most tax liens in Michigan take effect automatically, giving the tax collectors all of the rights in your property that any other lien holder would have.
However, 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 Lansing, Michigan 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 prevent potentially-valuable property from being encumbered indefinitely. Basically, it creates a measure of certainty for both parties.
How Can a Lansing, Michigan Tax Lien Lawyer Help?
If you receive notice from the federal government, or the government of Michigan that a tax lien has been imposed on your property, some pretty complicated legal issues are necessarily involved.
Luckily for you, tax lawyers in Lansing, Michigan 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.