Tax Lien Lawyers in Amherst

A "lien" in Amherst, Ohio 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 various 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 possible that the lien holder will collect something.

A tax lien, then, is simply a lien that is established for the particular purpose of collecting taxes from a delinquent tax payer in Amherst, Ohio.

Tax liens in Amherst, Ohio are ineffective if the taxpayer doesn't have any property to place the lien on. However, practically any property, including that which the taxpayer acquires after the lien goes into effect, can be affected by a tax lien.

Tax Lien Procedure in Amherst, Ohio

The process of imposing a tax lien on property in Amherst, Ohio is typically fairly simple. The initial step is for the IRS or local tax agency to decide that a person truly owes back taxes, and that it is worth the effort to impose a lien.

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 Ohio 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 Amherst, Ohio, 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 Amherst, Ohio Tax Lien Lawyer Help?

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

Thankfully for you, tax lawyers in Amherst, Ohio are experts at dealing with matters such as these, and can make sure your rights are safeguarded, and advise you on the best way to proceed, if you are facing the prospect of a tax lien.