TAX & LEGAL GUIDE

Tax Deed Sale in Florida: What Homeowners and Buyers Need to Know

In Florida, unpaid property taxes can ultimately result in the loss of your home through a tax deed sale. Understanding the timeline, your redemption rights, and how to stop the process is essential if you're behind on property taxes — or if you're a buyer considering purchasing a tax deed property.

List My Home — $99 How It Works →

Florida Property Tax Delinquency Timeline

Florida's tax deed process begins with delinquent property taxes: (1) April 1 — taxes become delinquent. (2) May–June — the tax collector sells tax certificates to investors at auction. A tax certificate is essentially a lien on the property bearing interest. (3) Certificate holder can apply for a tax deed after 2 years if taxes remain unpaid. (4) The county clerk auctions the property at a tax deed sale. (5) If no redemption occurs before the sale, the winning bidder receives a tax deed. The homeowner has until the day of the auction to redeem by paying all back taxes, interest, fees, and costs.

Homeowner Redemption Rights

Florida homeowners can stop the tax deed process at any point before the auction by paying the redemption amount — all outstanding taxes, certificate interest (up to 18%), county fees, and application costs. Once the tax deed is issued at auction, redemption is no longer possible. If you receive a Notice of Application for Tax Deed, contact your county tax collector immediately to get the exact redemption amount. Homestead property has the same rights as other property in the tax deed process — there is no special homestead protection against tax deed sales.

Selling a Florida Home to Avoid Tax Deed

If you can't afford to pay back taxes but have equity in the property, selling before the tax deed auction is almost always better than losing the home at auction. At auction, bidders start at the tax certificate amount — you may recover little or nothing above what's owed. A private sale or MLS listing typically yields far more than a tax deed auction price, allowing you to pay off the tax liens from proceeds and keep any remaining equity. List the property on the MLS as quickly as possible and use closing proceeds to clear the tax lien.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Common Questions

How much time do I have to redeem a Florida tax certificate?

From the time a tax deed application is filed, you have until the day of the auction to redeem. The auction is typically scheduled several months after the application. Contact your county clerk for the specific auction date after receiving notice.

What happens if no one bids at a Florida tax deed auction?

If there are no third-party bidders, the property may be struck off to the county. The county then has its own process for disposing of properties — often through a subsequent public sale or negotiated sale. The original owner may be able to negotiate with the county to redeem or repurchase.

Can I sell a property with back taxes in Florida?

Yes — back taxes and any tax certificates become liens that must be paid at closing from proceeds. Your title company handles the payoff. This is common and doesn't prevent the sale; it just means the lien amount is subtracted from your net proceeds.

Is a tax deed property a good buy in Florida?

Tax deed properties can offer below-market prices, but come with risks: title defects (not a guaranteed clean title), unknown property condition, prior liens that survived the tax deed (e.g., government/IRS liens), and potential quiet title action requirements before the property is financeable.

READY TO LIST?

Get Your Home on the Florida MLS for $99

Start My $99 Listing →Compare Packages →Find My City →FL Flat Fee MLS Guide →

All listings placed by a licensed Florida real estate broker (FL #BK3276618) ↗ — verified via the Florida DBPR.

Listed by Licensed Florida Broker · Pure Equity Realty · Verify FL License #BK3276618 ↗Learn about our flat fee MLS listing Florida service →