The last thing just about any person wants to see in the mail is a tax lien.
First, what does it mean? Basically, the person has not paid the taxes on something, usually a home.
Now, if the lien was issued by a local municipality: your city, county or state, it will only apply to the item in question: your home, car, boat, RV etc.
But, when it is the federal government, the lien can apply to every single thing you own.
The Feds, they can take it all, and sell it.
That's why you often see these ads in the paper: cars for a hundred dollars, a boat for fifty bucks, and a home for ten grand.
No matter who has issued the lien, the point is, you have back taxes that are due, and if you expect to keep the item in question: pay them fast.
If not, the lien will be sold at a public auction and you'll be faced with paying the lien holder not just the taxes, but also some interest.
So, that presents the question: how do you get out from under the lien? If you have the necessary money, it is no problem: pay it.
Of course, very often, the whole reason you have not paid the taxes is that you don't have the money.
This can be due to any number of reasons: loss of job, death in the family, divorce etc.
If you are lucky enough to have a mortgage holder, and the lien is for your property taxes, usually the lender will pay off the lien (they are sent a copy of it).
Of course, they are not doing this out of the goodness of their hearts.
The last thing your lender wants is to see your home seized and sold because they run the risk of losing some of their money.
And, naturally, they are then going to want the money they have paid out for those taxes back.
That is why most people have an escrow account.
That way, you do not have to come up with your entire tax bill all at once; it is spread out over the year.
As a result, you only face the prospect of a small increase in your monthly mortgage payment.
That is something just about anyone can live with.
unfortunately, sometimes the lien is not on your home, or you do not have a lender.
Still, all is not lost; there are a number of non-profit organizations in place to help people with tax troubles.
They vary from state to state, but they can be found.
These days, a simple online search will yield literally dozens of these groups.
As an example, there is: taxlienhelpcenter.
com Contacting any one of them is easy enough, and often they can help you set up a payment plan with your lien holder.