Tax Lien Lawyers in Amarillo
In Amarillo, Texas, 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 Amarillo, Texas.
Tax liens in Amarillo, Texas are ineffective if the taxpayer doesn't have any property to place the lien on. However, basically 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 Amarillo, Texas
The actual process of setting up an Amarillo, Texas tax lien is typically pretty simple. The agency responsible for collecting taxes must first decide that a tax lien is warranted, typically by finding that the debtor owes a significant amount of back 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 the back taxes are not paid before the deadline is up, the lien will typically take effect immediately, with no further action by the IRS or Texas tax agency, giving them all the rights in your property that the law permits.
Nonetheless, if the federal government does not seek to enforce a tax lien in Amarillo, Texas 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 Amarillo, Texas Tax Lien Lawyer Help?
If you find yourself on the receiving end of a tax lien in Texas, you are going to have to wade through some substantial and complicated legal concerns.
Luckily, Amarillo, Texas tax attorneys can help. If you are facing the prospect of a tax lien, you should not hesitate to seek skilled legal advice, to ensure that your legal rights are protected.