Tax law in Georgia can be a complicated matter. If you owe back taxes to the state, the government may begin a collections process to recoup the taxes you owe.
There are different types of procedures the Georgia Department of Revenue may use to try to collect on what you owe. Here are a few things you should know if you owe back taxes in the state of Georgia:
Wage garnishment
Wage garnishment is when creditors take a percentage of your employment earnings to pay your debt. To do so, most creditors have to obtain a court order that allows them to proceed with the garnishment. However, if you owe back taxes to the state of Georgia, the government may garnish your wages without a court order. A new law approved in 2016 changed what was previously considered unconstitutional, in terms of creditors garnishing wages in Georgia. It is important to understand the critical differences between debts with creditors and owing taxes to your state. A qualified tax attorney can help you navigate such challenges.
Declaring bankruptcy
Some taxpayers wonder if they can discharge their tax debts by declaring bankruptcy. This is a complicated question, and you may hear several differing answers. The broad response to this question is many tax debts are not simply wiped away by a bankruptcy. Bankruptcy may allow for discharging federal income tax debt in some cases if the taxpayer meets specific criteria. Because each individual case is different, however, it is in your best interest to consult with a tax attorney about your case.
Tax lawyers deal with cases of state and federal tax debt and can help you understand your obligations, rights and options. You may have several solutions at your disposal, and finding your way out of your current tax debt may simply be a matter of getting the right counsel.