Tax Lien Certificates

What is a Tax Certificate?

This is not a sale of real property.

It is a lien for the amount of delinquent taxes plus interest.

• The Tax Certificate Sale is operated on a competitive bid basis with interest bids beginning at 18% and progressing downward in increments of no less than 1/4%. The lowest bidder is assigned the certificate. The amount of the certificate is the sum of the unpaid real estate taxes and non-ad valorem assessments, 3% interest, 5% in costs associated with the sale, advertising charges, and web fee.

• If taxes remain unpaid for a period of two years following the purchase of a tax certificate, the certificate holder, after paying all other taxes, interest and penalties, may initiate a tax deed application which will force the property to sale at a public auction.