Tax Lien Lawyers in Brookfield

A "lien" in Brookfield, Wisconsin 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 funds if the property is sold, and priority access to the property, in front of other creditors.

As you might have gathered, a "tax lien" is simply a lien placed on property by the IRS or Brookfield, Wisconsin tax authorities, to compile taxes that the property-owner has failed to pay.

Tax Liens in Brookfield, Wisconsin are typically only effective if the taxpayer has a significant amount of property on which a lien can be placed. However, it's critical 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 Brookfield, Wisconsin

The process of imposing a tax lien on property in Brookfield, Wisconsin is normally fairly simple. The initial step is for the IRS or local tax agency to decide that a person really owes back taxes, and that it is worth the effort to impose a lien.

They will then mail a document called a "notice and demand," which lets the taxpayer know that they owe money on their taxes, and that they have a specific period of time (normally 10 days) to pay what they owe.

If this 10-day period expires without payment, the tax lien arises automatically. Once this happens, the tax authorities in Wisconsin have all the options in the taxpayer's property that any other lien holder would have, containing priority over competing creditors.

Nonetheless, 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 Brookfield, Wisconsin 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 keep potentially-valuable property from being encumbered forever. Essentially, it creates a measure of certainty for both parties.

How Can a Brookfield, Wisconsin Tax Lien Lawyer Help?

If you find yourself on the receiving end of a tax lien in Wisconsin, you are going to have to wade through some substantial and intricate legal contentions.

Therefore, if you think that any piece of property you own might become subject to a tax lien in Brookfield, Wisconsin, you should not delay to seek the advice of a qualified tax attorney immediately.