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Indiana tax sales: the season preview

Quick answerIndiana sells tax lien certificates for unpaid property taxes. Lien buyers can earn Premium (overbid) auction; return is penalty-based, not a bid interest rate. On redemption the owner pays 110% of the minimum bid if redeemed within 6 months, or 115% of the minimum bid if redeemed after 6 months and within 1 year (i.e., a 10% or 15% penalty on the minimum-bid portion), plus 5% per annum on the portion of the purchase price above the minimum bid and 5% per annum on subsequent taxes paid by the buyer, for sales after June 30, 2014 (IC 6-1.1-25-2). The overbid principal itself is returned on redemption; it is not forfeited.. Redemption: 1 year from the date of sale (IC 6-1.1-25-4); only 120 days for certificates acquired by the county commissioners (county-held certificates) and for certain purchasing agencies. Sales: Annual county tax sales in the fall, mostly September-October; unsold certificates later go to a commissioners' (county executive) certificate sale, typically in the following winter/spring. Governing law: Indiana Code 6-1.1-24 (tax sale) and 6-1.1-25 (redemption and tax deeds), esp. IC 6-1.1-25-2 and IC 6-1.1-24-6.1 (commissioners' sale).

What's actually for sale

Indiana sells tax lien certificates. The buyer must petition the court for a tax deed within 6 months after the 1-year redemption period expires or the lien terminates (IC 6-1.1-25-7). Amounts bid above the minimum bid that exceed what is owed on redemption go to the tax sale surplus fund, claimable by the owner, not kept as buyer profit beyond the statutory 5% per annum.

The rate that decides your return

Premium (overbid) auction; return is penalty-based, not a bid interest rate. On redemption the owner pays 110% of the minimum bid if redeemed within 6 months, or 115% of the minimum bid if redeemed after 6 months and within 1 year (i.e., a 10% or 15% penalty on the minimum-bid portion), plus 5% per annum on the portion of the purchase price above the minimum bid and 5% per annum on subsequent taxes paid by the buyer, for sales after June 30, 2014 (IC 6-1.1-25-2). The overbid principal itself is returned on redemption; it is not forfeited.

The clock you're investing against

Sale schedule: Annual county tax sales in the fall, mostly September-October; unsold certificates later go to a commissioners' (county executive) certificate sale, typically in the following winter/spring.

Redemption: 1 year from the date of sale (IC 6-1.1-25-4); only 120 days for certificates acquired by the county commissioners (county-held certificates) and for certain purchasing agencies.

Where the sales happen

SRI Tax Sale Services (SRI Inc.) runs most county sales, online via Zeus Auction (zeusauction.com) or in-person; some counties (e.g., Marion County in some cycles) have used GovEase.. 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: Indiana laws · Indiana investing guide · Indiana sale calendar. Law verified 2026-10-30.