Tax Certificate Sale vs. Tax Deed Sale in Florida
By Israel Chen ·
Short answer: Florida has two different tax sales. At the Tax Collector's certificate sale, bidders compete down to the lowest interest rate and win a lien. At the clerk's tax deed sale, bidders compete up to the highest price and win the property.
| Certificate sale | Tax deed sale | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | Tax Collector | Clerk of Court |
| Bidding | Down: lowest interest wins, in quarter-percent steps | Up: highest price wins |
| You win | A lien that earns interest | The property, as-is |
| Payment | Within 48 hours of notice | Within 24 hours, excluding weekends and legal holidays |
| Deposit | The Tax Collector may require one | 5% of the bid or $200, whichever is greater |
One leads to the other: an unredeemed certificate is what starts a tax deed sale. More on certificates.
Questions
Which comes first, the certificate sale or the tax deed sale?
The certificate sale. A holder can apply for a tax deed about two years later if the certificate isn't redeemed.
Sources
Israel Chen buys Florida tax deeds, mostly in Volusia County. MBA, second-year law student (not a lawyer) and computer scientist. About me.
Next: the Florida guide, the Volusia guide, the glossary, or work with me. Not legal, tax or investment advice.