tax liens
My sister-in-law has a federal tax lien against her for failure to pay back taxes. She is also listed as a signer on my husband's and my safety deposit box as well as my mother-in-law's safety deposit box. Can the IRS seize the contents of the safety deposit boxes since her name is on them?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: tax liens
It would be unusual, but certainly possible. It might occur through a levy upon the bank, intended to get at an account, and then the bank might freeze the box. If the IRS knew about the box, they might levy it directly. It would probably be best to remove her name from the box. However, to protect against any claims of fraud, if she has any of her own property in the box, that should be documented and given to her with a signed receipt from her for those items.