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District of Columbia tax sales: the season preview

Quick answerDistrict of Columbia sells tax lien certificates for unpaid property taxes. Lien buyers can earn 18% per year (1.5% per month or part thereof) on the amount in the certificate of sale, exclusive of surplus (D.C. Code §§ 47-1306, 47-1361). Redemption: Owner may redeem at any time until the foreclosure judgment is final; the purchaser may file to foreclose the right of redemption after 6 months from the sale and must do so within 1 year or the certificate is void (§§ 47-1360, 47-1370) — commonly described as a 6-month redemption period Sales: Annual real property tax sale, typically in July (the 2026 sale was postponed from July 15 to Aug. 19, 2026) Governing law: D.C. Code §§ 47-1330–47-1385 (real property tax sales), esp. §§ 47-1360, 47-1361, 47-1370; older provisions at §§ 47-1304, 47-1306.

What's actually for sale

District of Columbia sells tax lien certificates. Correction to a common description: DC is a tax lien jurisdiction, not a redeemable deed jurisdiction — the buyer receives a certificate of sale, not a deed, bidding is premium bid-up, and interest is earned only on the certificate amount exclusive of any surplus/premium paid. A deed issues only after Superior Court foreclosure of the right of redemption.

The rate that decides your return

18% per year (1.5% per month or part thereof) on the amount in the certificate of sale, exclusive of surplus (D.C. Code §§ 47-1306, 47-1361)

The clock you're investing against

Sale schedule: Annual real property tax sale, typically in July (the 2026 sale was postponed from July 15 to Aug. 19, 2026)

Redemption: Owner may redeem at any time until the foreclosure judgment is final; the purchaser may file to foreclose the right of redemption after 6 months from the sale and must do so within 1 year or the certificate is void (§§ 47-1360, 47-1370) — commonly described as a 6-month redemption period

Where the sales happen

mostly in-person — Office of Tax and Revenue sale at 1101 4th St. SW, Washington, DC, with registration through MyTax.DC.gov, MyTax.DC.gov (over-the-counter sale of bid-off liens after the annual sale). Lists post on the county's schedule, change as owners redeem, and registration typically closes before sale day — the investors who see the list first set the market.

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Deep dives: District of Columbia laws · District of Columbia investing guide · District of Columbia sale calendar. Law verified 2026-10-30.