Taxes due at closing

in 1980 i bought my house i now live in. this past december i received a bill and notice from a company called gls capital services stating that school taxes for the tax year 1980, the year i bought my house, were never paid and this company, gls, put a lien on my property. they want the tax ($400 + $1000 for interest and penalties) The lien was in the name of the previous owners. I never received any bill or notice about this bill untill now.
My closing costs should have covered this. The lawyer who did my closing says he does not have any paperwork anymore. Told me to pay it. the title insurance company that i have paperwork on, does not exist anymore. neither does the morgage company. the house is paid for. gls hopes i can't prove i paid this bill at closing because it was 22 years ago. is there a statute of limitations? should title insurance pay this if they missed it. this was a va loan if that means anything. where can i find copies of closing documents. i am missing the one i need.

[HomeGuru]

Were are your papers?
Contact a real estate attorney.

[JETX]

Though you don't say, I assume you are in PA.

In doing a little research, it appears that GLS Capital purchased old unpaid tax accounts and is now attempting to get them paid. And, though you may not like it or even agree with it, their actions appear to be valid and legal.

So, to answer your question, your attorney (or title company) should have done a title search and confirmed a clear title at the time of your closing. Someone didn't and you are now stuck with the bill. Pay it and pay it soon. The interest and penalties are still running and your refusing to pay will just cost you more, and could jeopardize your home ownership (and it is tax deductible).

Here are some online links to stories about GLS Capital:
[url]http://www.post-gazette.com/columnists/19981112brian.asp[/url]
[url]http://dpg-law.com/opinions/pa-cmwlth/9905/4253-maierhoffer.html[/url]
[url]http://www.county.allegheny.pa.us/alom/letter/200111/impact.asp[/url]
[url]http://www.ohnb.uscourts.gov/judges/order-20010705-00-15684-rbb.pdf[/url]

thanx for the articles about GLS. (scumbags) I guess my attorney is the one who messed up. What's the difference between a dead dog on the street and a dead lawyer on the street?
There's skid marks in front of the dog.

I don't mind paying the $450.00 tax It's the penalty & interest that's not fair. $1100.00. If i never knew I owed it, why should i be punished? Not fair. I want to fight the penalty.