Tax Debt

Tax Debt

What Happens to Transferred Assets When You Owe Back Taxes?

22 November, 2025 | Tax Debt Tax Liens

What Happens to Transferred Assets When You Owe Back Taxes? When someone owes back taxes to the IRS and tries to transfer assets, the consequences can be severe for both the person who owed the taxes (the transferor) and the person or entity who received the assets (the transferee). The IRS and other taxing authorities possess sweeping powers to trace, reclaim, and penalize improper asset transfers meant to sidestep tax debts. Explo... CONTINUE READING

Can the IRS Take My Spouse’s Assets for My Tax Debt?

9 October, 2025 | Tax Debt

Can the IRS Take My Spouse’s Income for My Tax Debt? It depends – in some cases, the IRS can take your spouse's income for your tax debt, but they can't in other situations. Ultimately, it boils down to which type of return you filed, how much your spouse earns, and what you've done to resolve the debt. In all cases, it pays to be proactive. To get help protecting you and your spouse from your tax debt, contact us at Timothy S. Hart Law Firm today. Wh... CONTINUE READING

Can I Sell My House With an IRS Tax Lien?

9 October, 2025 | Tax Debt Tax Liens

Can You Sell a House With a Tax Lien on It? Yes, you can sell a home even if it has an IRS tax lien against it. However, there will be extra paperwork involved, and the IRS will have a right to the proceeds of the sale, up to the amount of your tax debt. There are a few different ways to navigate the sale, depending on the situation. This post outlines the basics, but to get legal gui... CONTINUE READING

What Are IRS Jeopardy Assessments—and Are You at Risk?

21 September, 2025 | Tax Debt Tax Help

IRS Jeopardy Assessments — When the IRS Acts Without Warning IRS tax assessment and enforcement actions typically follow strict protocols and procedures. The agency sends letters, gives taxpayers time to respond, and eventually moves on to liens, levies, and seizures. The entire process takes months, giving taxpayers plenty of time to question the amount owed, come up with payment arrangements, and otherwise avoid aggressive collection efforts. Jeopardy a... CONTINUE READING

Will the IRS Revoke My Passport for Not Paying Taxes?

21 September, 2025 | Passport Tax Debt

Can the IRS Revoke My Passport Over Back Taxes? You could lose your passport over unpaid taxes. Unpaid federal tax debt can lead to restrictions and revocation of your passport, making it impossible for you to travel to visit family or work. IRS passport revocation is indirectly possible, meaning that while the IRS cannot outright revoke your passport, it can take steps that trigger the U.S. State Department to place lim... CONTINUE READING

New York Tax Asset Seizure: The Assets You Could Lose

21 September, 2025 | Tax Debt

What Assets Can New York State Legally Seize for Back Taxes? If you owe taxes to the New York Department of Taxation and Finance, they may seize your assets. The DTF's asset seizure process is slightly different from the IRS's, but in both cases, they can take a significant portion of your assets. To protect your assets, you need to know what the DTF can legally seize and how to respond when you receive a levy (seizure) notice. Key takeaways:... CONTINUE READING

What Is IRS Notice LT36? Guide for Federal Employees

17 August, 2025 | Late Filed Returns Tax Debt

What Is IRS Notice LT36? Sent to Federal Employees and Retirees Since 2013, the number of federal employees with tax debt has risen to about 6% (5% or more of congressional employees and about 4% of White House staff). In the spring of 2025, the IRS sent letters to 525,000 federal employees and retirees with a dire implication: If you don’t reconcile... CONTINUE READING

Can You Be Personally Liable for Unpaid NY Business Tax?

23 July, 2025 | tax collections Tax Debt

Who Can Be Held Personally Liable for New York State Business Taxes? In New York, the Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF) has the right to hold individuals responsible for unpaid sales or withholding taxes. The state is willing to go after individuals who have the authority and responsibility to track, calculate, withhold, deposit, or otherwise remit the business's sales or payroll taxes to the NYS DT... CONTINUE READING

What to Do When You Receive Certified Mail From the IRS

28 June, 2025 | Tax Debt Tax Help

Why Did I Get a Certified Letter from the IRS? Receiving a certified letter from the IRS may cause you to feel nervous. After all, most IRS notices don’t usually signal happy news. While the IRS may not be sending something with devastating news, their certified letter is something serious that requires your attention. Never ignore a certified letter from the IRS. These letters genera... CONTINUE READING

New York State Tax Debt—Collection Statute of Limitations

20 April, 2025 | tax collections Tax Debt

Statute of Limitations on NY State Tax Debt—How Long Can They Collect? After state taxes have been assessed, the Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF) can only collect taxes for a set period of time. In New York State, the statute of limitations is generally 20 years. However, there are exceptions, and the starting point for the 20 years depends on the specific details of your tax situation. This limit differs for each state, and as a New York resident... CONTINUE READING

Understanding IRS Form 940 and 941: Deadlines, Filing, and Penalties

IRS Form 940 and 941 are essential employer tax documents with distinct purposes, filing schedules, and penalties for late filing or balances due. Employers must understand what each form does, when it is due, and how to avoid costly mistakes or penalties. What Is IRS...