Tax Lien Lawyers in Atlantic County

A "lien" in Atlantic County, New Jersey is a property right that a person or entity has in property owned by someone else, created by law, for the purpose of enforcing a debt. A lien gives its holder several rights in the property of another person, including the right to seize the proceeds of a sale of the property, and, if the debtor files for bankruptcy, the right to go to the front of the line among other creditors, making it more likely that the lien holder will collect something.

As you might have gathered, a "tax lien" is simply a lien placed on property by the IRS or Atlantic County, New Jersey tax authorities, to collect taxes that the property-owner has failed to pay.

However, like any other debt-collection method, a tax lien is worthless if the debtor has no significant property on which a lien can be imposed. To get around this limitation, most tax liens in Atlantic County, New Jersey apply to after-acquired property (property obtained after the lien was created). Most other liens only apply to specific pieces of property, or property that the debtor owned at the time the lien went into effect.

Tax Lien Procedure in Atlantic County, New Jersey

Imposing a tax lien in Atlantic County, New Jersey is typically an uncomplicated process. Generally, the tax authorities simply have to make a determination that the taxpayer is delinquent in their taxes, and that imposing and enforcing a tax lien will actually be worth the effort.

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 New Jersey 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 Atlantic County, New Jersey 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 Atlantic County, New Jersey Tax Lien Lawyer Help?

If the federal government, or the government of New Jersey informs you that they intend to place a tax lien on your property, you will likely face some pretty complicated and daunting legal issues.

Luckily for you, tax lawyers in Atlantic County, New Jersey 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.