How Florida Tax Deed Sales Work, Step by Step
By Israel Chen ·
Short answer: When property taxes go unpaid, the county sells a tax certificate. After two years the holder can apply for a tax deed, the clerk advertises a public sale, and the property goes to the highest bidder, who must pay in full within 24 hours.
The steps
- Taxes go unpaid. The Tax Collector holds a tax certificate sale on or before June 1.
- A certificate is sold. The buyer pays the tax and earns interest if the owner redeems.
- The holder applies for a deed. Clerks describe this as possible between two and seven years after the certificate was bought.
- The clerk advertises. Notice runs once a week for four weeks in a local paper, and owners and lienholders are told.
- The sale. Bidding opens at the amount needed to cover taxes, interest and costs. The highest bidder wins.
- Deposit and payment. The winner posts a nonrefundable 5% of the bid or $200, whichever is greater, and pays the balance, documentary stamps and recording fees within 24 hours, excluding weekends and legal holidays.
- The deed. Anything above the opening bid becomes surplus funds.
What trips people up
The deposit rule is statewide, but deadlines aren't. Volusia wants ACH deposits 4 full working days ahead; Osceola wants funds settled by 3:00 p.m. the day before. Read each county's rules before sale week. My Florida Tax Deed Finder lists all 67.
Questions
How long before a Florida tax certificate can become a tax deed?
Clerks describe a holder applying for a tax deed between two and seven years after buying the certificate.
What deposit does a Florida tax deed sale require?
State law sets a nonrefundable deposit of 5% of the bid or $200, whichever is greater, due at the time of sale.
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.