Tax Lien Lawyers in Galveston
In Galveston, 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 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.
A tax lien, then, is simply a lien that is established for the particular purpose of collecting taxes from a delinquent tax payer in Galveston, Texas.
Tax Liens in Galveston, Texas are generally 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 Galveston, Texas
In Galveston, Texas, the process for creating a tax lien is fairly uncomplicated. First, the tax authorities decide that a taxpayer actually owes taxes that they haven't paid (that they're delinquent in their taxes).
At this point, the taxpayer will receive a letter containing a "notice and demand," which, as the name suggests, gives notice that the recipient owes taxes, and demands quick payment. It will usually give the taxpayer about 10 days to pay the demanded amount.
If the deadline passes without payment, most tax liens in Texas take effect automatically, giving the tax collectors all of the options in your property that any other lien holder would have.
Nonetheless, in Galveston, Texas, and anywhere else in America, a tax lien only lasts for 10 years, and then it automatically expires. If the IRS fails to exercise the considerable rights that it has under a tax lien within that period of time, it is assumed that they never intend to do so, and the lien will cease to exist. This ensures that valuable property is only kept out of the economy for a limited period of time.
How Can a Galveston, Texas Tax Lien Lawyer Help?
If you receive notice from the federal government, or the government of Texas that a tax lien has been imposed on your property, some pretty complicated legal issues are necessarily involved.
Fortunately, Galveston, Texas tax attorneys can help. If you are facing the prospect of a tax lien, you should not hesitate to seek competent legal advice, to ensure that your legal rights are protected.