Tax Lien Lawyers in Greensburg

In Greensburg, Pennsylvania, a "lien" is specified as a property right that's authorized to a creditor against a piece of property owned by a debtor, for the purpose of collecting on the debt if the debtor is unwilling or unable to pay. A lien allows its owner to exercise some control over the property that is the subject of the lien. This includes the right to force a sale of the property, and to seize the resulting revenue, and priority access to the property ahead of other creditors.

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

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

Tax Lien Procedure in Greensburg, Pennsylvania

The process of imposing a tax lien on property in Greensburg, Pennsylvania is usually fairly simple. The initial step is for the IRS or local tax agency to decide that a person actually 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 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 this 10-day period expires without payment, the tax lien arises automatically. Once this happens, the tax authorities in Pennsylvania have all the options in the taxpayer's property that any other lien holder would have, containing priority over competing creditors.

But, these rights are limited. In Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and everywhere else in the United States, the IRS has 10 years to enforce a tax lien. If they do nothing about it within 10 years, the lien expires. This rule exists for a few reasons. First, it encourages the IRS to act as quickly and efficiently as possible, and not "sit on its rights." Also, it acknowledges the fact that any encumbrance on a piece of property, such as a lien, makes the property less valuable. By guaranteeing that the lien will either be satisfied or expire within 10 years, this prevents property from being withheld from the stream of commerce forever.

How Can a Greensburg, Pennsylvania Tax Lien Lawyer Help?

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

Therefore, if you think that any piece of property you own might become subject to a tax lien in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, you should not delay to seek the advice of a competent tax attorney immediately.