Tax Lien on Maine Home is Forgotten About For Over 60 Years

We all know that, when it comes to the government, documents often get lost in the shuffle.  That, of course, can lead to things being forgotten about.

In recent years, as many of these documents have moved online, this has happened much less frequently.

Even with the advances in record keeping, it does still happen, but usually not for 62 years!

What is a Tax Lien?

We have all heard the term 'tax lien', but many of us have no idea exactly what it means.

According to the IRS website, tax liens are put in place in order to collect owed taxes.

The website explains:

A federal tax lien is the government’s legal claim against your property when you neglect or fail to pay a tax debt. The lien protects the government’s interest in all your property, including real estate, personal property and financial assets.

 

Waterville, Maine's Forgotten Tax Lien

According to the KJ, it was recently discovered that a tax lien had been placed on a Grove Street, Waterville, property 62 years ago!

The article explains that the home had been owned by Edward and Louella Spaulding.  They lived there for decades and even raised their family there.  The house has six rooms and encompasses just under 1,600 square feet.  The couple lived there until they passed away.  Louella died in 1999 and Edward passed away last year.

The tax lien was not discovered until the house went up for sale following Edward's death.

The lien, which was from 1963, was for $139.62.

It is believed that it was not discovered because, following 1963, the Spauldings paid their taxes on time each year.