- 1Property taxes go unpaid
The debt becomes delinquent. - 2County sells a tax certificate
An investor pays your taxes for interest (Ch. 197). Your home is not yet at risk. - 3~2 years pass
The certificate must be held for the statutory period. - 4Holder applies for a tax deed
This forces the property to public auction. - 5Public tax-deed auction
Sold to the highest bidder; surplus over taxes may be claimable (§ 197.582).
From delinquent taxes to a tax certificate
When property taxes go unpaid, the county eventually sells a tax certificate on the debt to an investor, who effectively pays your taxes in exchange for interest. This is governed by Florida Statutes Chapter 197. A certificate by itself does not transfer your home.
When a certificate becomes a tax-deed application
After a certificate has been held for the period set by statute (generally about two years), the certificate holder can apply for a tax deed, which forces the property to public auction. This is the step that can actually cost you the home.
The tax-deed auction
- The property is sold to the highest bidder at a public auction run by the clerk.
- Opening bids include the back taxes, interest, and costs.
- If the home sells for more than that, the extra is surplus that the former owner or others may claim.
Redemption: paying it off before the sale
You can generally redeem — pay the taxes, interest, and costs to stop the sale — up until the tax deed is sold. Once the property is sold at the tax-deed auction, that window closes. As with mortgage foreclosure, acting early keeps the most options open.
If you can't catch up
If paying off the taxes isn't realistic, selling the home before the tax-deed sale can let you capture your equity instead of losing it at auction. We buy houses with delinquent taxes and liens as-is — the title company handles the payoff at closing. See selling a house with tax liens or get a cash offer.
A note from Chris: I’m Chris Moore, and I’m not a lawyer — this is not legal advice. It’s general information my team researched from the official sources cited on this page, and laws and timelines change. For help with a specific legal matter you should talk to a licensed attorney. Need a good one? Reach out to me here and I’ll gladly share my references.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long before unpaid taxes can take my Florida home?
A tax certificate is sold after taxes go delinquent, and the holder can generally apply for a tax deed after holding it about two years. The home is then sold at auction unless you redeem first.
Can I stop a tax-deed sale?
Generally yes, by redeeming — paying the taxes, interest, and costs — up until the property is sold. After the sale, redemption is no longer available.
Can I sell a house that has delinquent taxes or a tax lien?
Usually yes. The amounts owed are typically paid from the sale proceeds at closing through the title company, so title transfers clear.
What happens to extra money from a tax-deed sale?
If the property sells for more than the taxes and costs, the surplus may be claimable by the former owner, heirs, or lienholders, subject to deadlines.