You’ve found yourself there. Again. You’re in the middle of a negotiation, and you can’t back down. Sometimes your client might draw the line in the sand, sometimes you do. Either way, your hands are tied.

I lived there for five years. I collected local property taxes. Local government has no discretion to bargain away public tax dollars. Nor can the government use penalties or interest as a bargaining chip. Every dime must be paid. Collection counsel can only dicker over how long the payment plan lasts. That can frustrate closing a deal.