Tax Lien Lawyers in San Antonio
In San Antonio, 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 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 simply a lien that is created for the specific purpose of collecting taxes from a delinquent tax payer in San Antonio, Texas.
Tax liens in San Antonio, Texas are ineffective if the taxpayer doesn't have any property to place the lien on. However, virtually 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 San Antonio, Texas
Imposing a tax lien in San Antonio, Texas is normally an uncomplicated process. Usually, the tax authorities simply have to make a determination that the taxpayer is delinquent in their taxes, and that imposing and enforcing a tax lien will actually be worth the effort.
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.
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 San Antonio, Texas 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 San Antonio, 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 confusing legal concerns.
Accordingly, if you think that any piece of property you own might become subject to a tax lien in San Antonio, Texas, you should not hesitate to seek the advice of a skilled tax attorney immediately.