Tax Lien Lawyers in Richland County

In Richland County, South Carolina, 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 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.

A "tax lien," then, is a lien held by the government to collect a tax-related debt from a private entity, such as a citizen or corporation in Richland County, South Carolina.

Tax Liens in Richland County, South Carolina are usually only effective if the taxpayer has a significant amount of property on which a lien can be placed. However, it's crucial to note that practically any property, including that which is acquired after the lien is imposed, can be subject to a tax lien.

Tax Lien Procedure in Richland County, South Carolina

In Richland County, South Carolina, the process for creating a tax lien is fairly uncomplicated. First, the tax authorities decide that a taxpayer truly owes taxes that they haven't paid (that they're delinquent in their taxes).

Then, the taxpayer is sent a letter with a "notice and demand," which informs the taxpayer that the IRS has decided that they owe back taxes, and that they have a short period of time (typically 10 days) to pay them without incurring a penalty.

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

Nonetheless, if the federal government does not seek to enforce a tax lien in Richland County, South Carolina 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 guarantee that property is not encumbered by a lien forever.

How Can a Richland County, South Carolina Tax Lien Lawyer Help?

If you find yourself on the receiving end of a tax lien in South Carolina, you are going to have to wade through some substantial and complicated legal concerns.

Thus, it should go without saying that if you are facing the prospect of your home or vehicle being slapped with a tax lien, you need to pursue the advice of a reliable tax lawyer in Richland County, South Carolina as soon as you can.