Tax Certificate Sale
Beginning on or before June 1st each year, the Tax Collector is required by law to hold a tax certificate sale. The Tax Certificate Sale is conducted online at: LienHub
The sale offers certificates for the amount of tax debt including applicable interest and fees. The sale is conducted in an auction style with participants bidding downward on interest rates starting at 18%. The certificate is awarded to the lowest bidder. A tax certificate earns a minimum of 5% interest to the investor until the interest has accrued to greater than 5%, with the exception of "zero" interest bids, which always earn "zero" interest.
The tax certificate, when purchased, becomes an enforceable first lien against the real estate. The certificate holder is actually paying the taxes for a property owner in exchange for a competitive bid rate of return on his or her investment. In order to remove the lien, the property owner must pay the Tax Collector all delinquent taxes plus accrued interest, costs, and other charges. The Tax Collector then issues a check to the certificate holder.
A tax certificate is valid for seven years from the date of issuance. The certificate holder may apply for a tax deed when two or more years have elapsed since the date of delinquency. If the property owner fails to pay the tax debt, the property is sold at a public auction. The highest bidder will receive a tax deed for the property.
*Certificate buyers should be aware of the risks involved in purchasing tax certificates and thoroughly research any parcels of interest before purchasing.