Tax Lien Lawyers in Dumfries

A "lien" in Dumfries, Virginia is a type of security interest that one person or entity has in someone else's property. Usually, a lien is created by a court, to secure payment of a debt. A lien gives its holder many rights in the property that is subject to it, including the right to seize the proceeds if the property is sold, and priority access to the property, in front of other creditors.

A "tax lien" is simply a lien placed on a piece of property by the state or local government, to secure the payment of back taxes. A tax lien in Dumfries, Virginia can arise to secure the payment of any federal or state tax, including income tax, estate tax, or gift tax.

Tax liens in Dumfries, Virginia 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 Dumfries, Virginia

Imposing a tax lien in Dumfries, Virginia is usually an uncomplicated process. Typically, 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 Virginia 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 Dumfries, Virginia, 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 Dumfries, Virginia Tax Lien Lawyer Help?

If you receive notice from the federal government, or the government of Virginia that a tax lien has been imposed on your property, some pretty complex legal issues are necessarily involved.

Thankfully, Dumfries, Virginia tax attorneys can help. If you are facing the prospect of a tax lien, you should not hesitate to seek qualified legal advice, to ensure that your legal rights are protected.