Tax Lien Lawyers in Marquette

In Marquette, Michigan, a "lien" is a type of property right, which is created by a court to obtain 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 appointed for the specific purpose of collecting taxes from a delinquent tax payer in Marquette, Michigan.

Tax Liens in Marquette, 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 essentially any property, including that which is acquired after the lien is imposed, can be subject to a tax lien.

Tax Lien Procedure in Marquette, Michigan

The process of imposing a tax lien on property in Marquette, Michigan is typically fairly simple. The first step is for the IRS or local tax agency to determine that a person truly 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 given period of time (typically 10 days) to pay what they owe.

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

However, if the federal government does not seek to enforce a tax lien in Marquette, Michigan within 10 years of imposing it, federal law dictates that the lien automatically expires. This is effectively a statute of limitations on a tax lien, meant to encourage the federal government to collect its taxes in a reasonable period of time, and ensure that property is not encumbered by a lien forever.

How Can a Marquette, Michigan Tax Lien Lawyer Help?

If you are notified by the government that you owe back taxes in Michigan, and that they are going to pursue a tax lien to collect their money, things can get very intricate, quite quickly.

Thankfully for you, tax lawyers in Marquette, 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.