Buy Time
If you’re behind on your real estate taxes and need more time to pay, filing bankruptcy may provide a solution. You can avoid tax related foreclosure if you pay off your delinquent property tax debts within 30 days after filing bankruptcy. This strategy may be especially effective if you have the cash to pay off your real estate taxes, plan to keep you home, and you’re not delinquent on your mortgage. Even if you are delinquent on your mortgage, paying off your taxes after filing bankruptcy may help you keep your home and avoid foreclosure as long as you have a plan to repay any mortgage payments you’ve missed.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy on your real estate taxes is unlikely to be a long-term solution to your problems because the county will automatically have a statutory lien on your property for any delinquent property taxes. However, filing bankruptcy, may stop the county from foreclosing on your property or going after your personal assets. But that lien on your home won’t go away. The existence of a tax lien on your property means that the taxes will need to be paid off before you can sell or refinance the property and to prevent foreclosure by the county.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
If you decide to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you can repay your real estate tax over the period of 3 to 5 years. Fulfilling your bankruptcy repayment plan will stop the taxing authority from foreclosing on your home and will prevent other adverse collections activities such as wage garnishments and bank levies. If you choose Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you will need to work with your bankruptcy attorney to determine which repayment plan works best for your budget and will be perceived as fair to creditors. Once you pay off your delinquent real estate taxes you will be freed from the stress that comes with a looming foreclosure and property tax liens.
If you have delinquent property taxes, don’t delay taking action. Delinquent property taxes leave you at risk for foreclosure and can wreck your finances. To find out how you can use bankruptcy to resolve your property tax problems, call us today.