The tax collecting authority may at any time prior to January 1 in any year institute proceedings against any person liable for the payment of any taxes payable to the county and due to it then remaining unpaid for the year in the manner provided for in this subchapter upon there being stated in the affidavit as provided in § 8743 of this title the further fact that the affiant has just caused to believe that the plaintiff will lose the benefit of the plaintiff's process by delay.