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Delinquent Real Estate Taxes Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make payments on my delinquent taxes until they are paid in full?
When is the latest I can pay my delinquent taxes without losing my property?
What is a tax certificate and a tax certificate sale?
What happens to the certificate when I pay my taxes?
Can I pay my delinquent taxes with a check?
Back to Delinquent Property Tax Information
Property taxes become due November 1, and are delinquent if not paid by April 1 of the following year at which time 3% interest and advertising cost are added.
Can I make payments on my delinquent taxes until they are paid in full? Partial payments are not accepted on delinquent real estate taxes.
When is the latest I can pay my delinquent taxes without losing my property? Taxes become delinquent April 1st. On or before June 1 the Tax Collector must conduct a tax certificate sale auction as required by Florida Statutes Chapter 197. Once a tax lien has been issued on your property, you have up to 22 months to pay your taxes before the tax deed foreclosure process can begin. For example, your 2007 taxes are considered due on Nov 1, 2007. If no payment has been made, your taxes are considered delinquent as of April 1, 2008. A tax certificate will be issued on or before June 1, 2008, depending on the sale date for that year. A tax deed foreclosure cannot be initiated on your property until April 1, 2010.
What is a tax certificate and a tax certificate sale? A tax certificate is a first lien against property and shall supersede governmental liens. The tax certificate sale is an auction process in which bids are entered and awarded to the buyer with the lowest interest rate bid, beginning at 18% and bid down to 0 in 0.25% increments. The buyer who wins the bid will pay the taxes, interest and fees that are outstanding and begin earning the rate of interest awarded during the auction on this total amount. Simple interest accrues on a monthly basis. For example if the tax certificate earns an interest rate of 12%, then interest will accrue at the rate of 1% per month until the tax certificate is redeemed. If there are any delinquent properties that do not receive a bid, those tax certificates are issued to the county at 18%.
What happens to the certificate when I pay my taxes? When delinquent taxes are paid to the Tax Collector, the Tax Collector will in turn pay the certificate buyer their total amount paid plus interest earned. The certificate at that time is considered redeemed.
Can I pay my delinquent taxes with a check? Payment for all delinquent real estate taxes must be made in certified funds (cash, cashier’s check or money order).
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