Tax Deed vs. Tax Lien in Florida: What You Actually Buy
By Israel Chen ·
Short answer: In Florida a tax certificate is a lien: you pay the tax and earn interest if the owner redeems. A tax deed is the property itself, sold at a clerk's auction after a certificate holder applies. One is a loan against land; the other is ownership.
| Tax certificate | Tax deed | |
|---|---|---|
| Who sells it | Tax Collector | Clerk of Court |
| When | On or before June 1 each year | Whenever a sale is set, after an application |
| What you get | A lien and interest if redeemed | The property, as-is |
| Main risk | The owner never redeems and you must apply for a deed | Title problems and surviving liens |
Why I work on the deed side
Tax deeds are how I built my holdings: you end up with land you can use or sell. Certificates suit people who want interest and don't want to own anything. Know which you're buying before you fund an account, because the research is completely different.
Questions
Is Florida a tax lien or tax deed state?
Both. Tax Collectors sell tax certificates, which are liens, and clerks later sell tax deeds on certificates that aren'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.