Section 76.22. Tax lien; sale.

 

(1)  The taxes levied upon and extended against the property of any company defined in s. 76.02 , after the same become due, with interest thereon, shall become a lien upon the property of such company within the state prior to all other liens, debts, claims or demands whatsoever, except as provided in ss. 292.31 (8) (i) and 292.81 , which lien may be enforced in an action in the name of the state in any state court of competent jurisdiction against such company and against the property of such company within the state. The place of the trial shall not be changed from the county in which any such action is commenced, except upon consent of parties.

(2)  The action to recover taxes and interest and to enforce the same as a lien shall be an action in equity and shall be commenced and carried on and judgment entered according to the laws of the state and the rules and practice of courts of equity so far as applicable. No reference shall be made to take testimony or to hear, try and determine the issues of fact in the action. The judgment shall fix the amount of taxes and interest, adjudge the same a lien on the property of the company and provide for the sale of such property in 90 days after the entry of judgment upon publication of the notice of sale as a class 3 notice, under ch. 985 . The judgment shall bear interest at the rate of 10 percent per year from the date of entry until finally paid.

(3)  The secretary of administration for and in the name of the state may bid at the sale and the state may become the purchaser of the property of any such company under a judgment for its sale for taxes, interest, and costs.

1977 c. 135 ; 1979 c. 110 s. 60 (13) ; 1993 a. 453 ; 1995 a. 227 ; 1997 a. 27 ; 2003 a. 33 .