Tax Lien Lawyers in Plano
In Plano, Texas, 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 authorizes 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 appointed for the specific purpose of collecting taxes from a delinquent tax payer in Plano, Texas.
Tax liens in Plano, Texas are ineffective if the taxpayer doesn't have any property to place the lien on. However, essentially any property, including that which the taxpayer obtains after the lien goes into effect, can be affected by a tax lien.
Tax Lien Procedure in Plano, Texas
The process of imposing a tax lien on property in Plano, Texas is normally fairly simple. The first step is for the IRS or local tax agency to determine that a person really owes back taxes, and that it is worth the effort to impose a lien.
Then, the IRS, or state tax authorities, send a "notice and demand," informing the taxpayer that they owe back taxes, and that they are required to pay their taxes within 10 days.
If that time period expires, and the debtor still hasn't paid, the Texas tax lien will go into effect automatically, with no further action required.
But, under federal law, there are limits to how tax liens can be enforced in Plano, Texas, and elsewhere. Typically, the IRS has 10 years to try and enforce a tax lien. If no effort is made to enforce a tax lien for 10 years, the lien is automatically lifted, and the lien holder loses all rights in it. This rule exists to ensure that the government collects its taxes in a reasonable time period, and it prevents valuable property (which could otherwise be contributing to the economy by being bought and sold) is not laded with a lien for an indefinite period of time.
How Can a Plano, Texas Tax Lien Lawyer Help?
If the federal government, or the government of Texas informs you that they intend to place a tax lien on your property, you will likely face some pretty convoluted and daunting legal issues.
Accordingly, if you think that any piece of property you own might become subject to a tax lien in Plano, Texas, you should not hesitate to seek the advice of a qualified tax attorney immediately.