A federal tax lien is an official document filed by a taxpayer to claim that he or she has not been paid for taxes, penalties, interest, and other amounts owed. In the United States, there are two types of liens filed with the IRS. The first is a statutory lien in which the IRS files a claim against the property to collect unpaid taxes, while the second is an administrative or judicial lien in which the government files a claim against another person’s property to collect unpaid child support and certain taxes.
What is a Federal Tax Lien?
A federal tax lien is a legal document filed with the United States Department of Treasury that becomes attached to property that owes federal taxes. The lien gives the taxpayer the right to sell the property at a discounted price if it is not paid in full within a certain amount of time. The lien can also be used to force the payment of back taxes, penalties, and interest.
The process of filing for a federal tax lien is simple and can be done through either the county or state government. Once filed, the lien will become part of the public record and can be used as evidence in any future proceedings related to the debt.
If you believe that you may have incurred federal debt that is subject to a tax lien, it is important to contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
What to do or have one?
Here are six reasons why you should consider obtaining a federal tax lien:
1) A federal tax lien can help you collect past-due taxes. If you have a valid federal tax lien, the IRS can seize any of the assets of the debtor that are subject to US jurisdiction, such as bank accounts, stocks, and real estate. This can help you get your money back quickly.
2) A federal tax lien can protect your financial stability. If you are sued for debt by someone who has a federal tax lien against them, the creditor may be unable to collect if they don’t have legal title to the debtor’s assets.
3) A federal tax lien can increase your chances of getting paid. By putting a lien on the debtor’s property, you may increase the chance that they will pay the taxes that they owe. If the debt is large enough, the IRS may offer to settle the debt for less than what is owed, provided that the settlement includes the satisfaction of the lien.