State laws / Florida
Florida tax sales: liens, deeds, rates & redemption
Quick answerFlorida sells liens + tax deeds (hybrid) for unpaid property taxes. Lien buyers can earn 18% per year maximum, bid down in 0.25% increments to 0% (Fla. Stat. § 197.172(2), § 197.432(6)); 5% mandatory minimum on redemption applies to most certificates. Redemption: Certificates: owner may redeem at any time before a tax deed is issued; certificate holder may apply for a tax deed after 2 years (§ 197.502) and the certificate expires after 7 years if no application is made. Tax deed sales: no post-sale redemption once the deed is issued / winning bid is paid. Sales: Tax certificate sales on or before June 1 annually (typically late May-early June); tax deed sales held by Clerks of Court several times per month, year-round, varying by county Governing law: Florida Statutes Chapter 197 (esp. §§ 197.172, 197.432, 197.472, 197.502, 197.542).
Where to bid: RealAuction / RealTaxLien (certificates)RealAuction / RealTaxDeed (deeds)LienHub (Grant Street Group) — used by e.g. Hillsborough, Orange, Pinellas, Duval
| What is sold | Liens + tax deeds (hybrid) |
|---|---|
| Interest / penalty | 18% per year maximum, bid down in 0.25% increments to 0% (Fla. Stat. § 197.172(2), § 197.432(6)); 5% mandatory minimum on redemption applies to most certificates |
| Redemption period | Certificates: owner may redeem at any time before a tax deed is issued; certificate holder may apply for a tax deed after 2 years (§ 197.502) and the certificate expires after 7 years if no application is made. Tax deed sales: no post-sale redemption once the deed is issued / winning bid is paid. |
| When sales happen | Tax certificate sales on or before June 1 annually (typically late May-early June); tax deed sales held by Clerks of Court several times per month, year-round, varying by county |
| Governing law | Florida Statutes Chapter 197 (esp. §§ 197.172, 197.432, 197.472, 197.502, 197.542) |
| Investor notes | Bid-down interest auction; unsold certificates are struck to the county at 18% and are commonly available over-the-counter afterward. Tax deed sales are premium/highest-bid sales; a quiet title action is usually needed for insurable title after a tax deed. |
Sources
- https://legalclarity.org/how-to-buy-tax-lien-certificates-in-florida/
- https://legalclarity.org/how-do-tax-deed-sales-work-in-florida-auctions-to-title/
- https://taxlien.io/
- https://taxliensimple.com/auctions
- https://arklegal.ai/state_statute/3118366/download.pdf?tagged=1
Law verified 2026-10-30 against the sources above. Confirm current details with the county tax collector / clerk before bidding — counties can change dates and procedures.