Tax Lien Lawyers in Harrisburg
In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a "lien" is defined as a property right that's granted 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 permits 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 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania tax authorities, to gather taxes that the property-owner has failed to pay.
Tax Liens in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 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 virtually any property, including that which is acquired after the lien is imposed, can be subject to a tax lien.
Tax Lien Procedure in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
The process of imposing a tax lien on property in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 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.
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 deadline expires, and the debtor does not pay the taxes they owe, the lien will take effect automatically. When this results, the IRS or Pennsylvania tax agency will have substantial rights against the taxpayer's property.
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 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 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 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Tax Lien Lawyer Help?
If you find yourself on the receiving end of a tax lien in Pennsylvania, you are going to have to wade through some substantial and confusing legal concerns.
Accordingly, it's important that you contact a tax attorney in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to ensure that whatever legal rights you have in this situation are protected. Your attorney will also be able to advise you on how to best deal with the situation.