Are Massachusetts tax sales a good opportunity?

Massachusetts sells redeemable tax deeds under Mass. Gen. Laws c. 60, §§ 37, 52, 62, 65 (collection of local taxes; tax titles). Whether a specific sale is a good opportunity depends on the parcels listed, the competition at that county's sale, and your max number — which is why investors research the list, not the headline.

How do I get notified about Massachusetts tax sales?

Counties publish sale lists on their own schedules — Set by each city/town treasurer/collector, year-round as needed — no statewide sale date LienToDeed watches those publications and alerts members when new Massachusetts properties are listed.

Massachusetts Tax Sales: What Investors Need to Know This Season

Blog / State spotlights

Massachusetts tax sales: the season preview

Quick answerMassachusetts sells redeemable tax deeds for unpaid property taxes. Lien buyers can earn 8% per year for tax titles taken or sold on or after Nov. 1, 2024 (M.G.L. c. 60, § 62, as amended by Ch. 140 of the Acts of 2024); 16% per year for titles taken or sold before Nov. 1, 2024. Redemption: Owner may redeem at any time before a foreclosure petition is filed; the holder generally may not file that petition until 12 months after the sale or taking for post-Nov. 1, 2024 titles (6 months for earlier titles) — M.G.L. c. 60, §§ 62, 65 — and may still redeem through Land Court until judgment bars redemption Sales: Set by each city/town treasurer/collector, year-round as needed — no statewide sale date Governing law: Mass. Gen. Laws c. 60, §§ 37, 52, 62, 65 (collection of local taxes; tax titles).

What's actually for sale

Massachusetts sells redeemable tax deeds. Massachusetts does not sell conventional lien certificates: the city/town takes or sells a 'tax title' and may assign it at public auction for at least the redemption amount, and the holder must foreclose the right of redemption in Land Court. The Nov. 1, 2024 reforms cut the rate from 16% to 8%, extended the pre-petition wait from 6 to 12 months, and require excess equity to be returned to the former owner — many secondary sources still quote the old 16% / 6-month rules.

The rate that decides your return

8% per year for tax titles taken or sold on or after Nov. 1, 2024 (M.G.L. c. 60, § 62, as amended by Ch. 140 of the Acts of 2024); 16% per year for titles taken or sold before Nov. 1, 2024

The clock you're investing against

Sale schedule: Set by each city/town treasurer/collector, year-round as needed — no statewide sale date

Redemption: Owner may redeem at any time before a foreclosure petition is filed; the holder generally may not file that petition until 12 months after the sale or taking for post-Nov. 1, 2024 titles (6 months for earlier titles) — M.G.L. c. 60, §§ 62, 65 — and may still redeem through Land Court until judgment bars redemption

Where the sales happen

mostly in-person — municipality-specific public auction for sale or assignment of tax titles under c. 60, § 52, local auctioneers retained by individual cities/towns; no statewide online platform verified. 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.

Watch Massachusetts lists for me

LienToDeed scans the published lists and texts you when new Massachusetts properties post — scored, with a max bid or max rate.

Get Massachusetts alerts

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