How do I start tax sale investing in District of Columbia?

Learn the system first: District of Columbia sells tax lien certificates under 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. Register with the county or its auction platform before the sale, post any required deposit, research each parcel in the property appraiser and clerk records, and set your max number before bidding.

District of Columbia Tax Sale Investing Guide — Buy the tax debt, earn the rate

Investing guides / District of Columbia

District of Columbia tax sale investing: buy the tax debt, earn the rate

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.

How it works in District of Columbia

In District of Columbia you are not buying property at the sale — you are buying the county's tax lien certificate for the amount of taxes owed, and the owner owes you interest until they redeem.

Interest / penalty: 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

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

Where sales run: 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)

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

The investor's edge

Your edge is rate discipline: know the statutory maximum, know what the sale historically bids down to in your target counties, and set a floor rate you will not cross before the sale starts.

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.

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Full legal reference: District of Columbia tax sale laws. Verified 2026-10-30 against the sources on that page. Educational only, not investment advice.