Florida

County Held Tax Lien Certificates

In Florida, taxes become due November 1,

Nov 1st

Taxes Due

Time Line

and become delinquent if not paid by April 1 of the following year.

Nov 1st

Apr 1st

Taxes Due Taxes become delinquent

Time Line

The tax collector in every Florida county then prepares a list of the properties with delinquent taxes and sends out notices to all property owners with unpaid property taxes stating that a tax certificate will be auctioned on or before June1 if the taxes are not paid.
Nov 1st Apr 1st May-Jun

Taxes Due Taxes become delinquent

Lien Auction

Time Line

The tax certificates face amount consists of the sum of the following: delinquent real estate tax (unpaid amount), interest (1.5% for each of the months of April and May on the delinquent amount), Tax Collectors commission (5% on the delinquent amount), and the newspapers advertising charge (& sale costs or other costs).
Nov 1st Apr 1st May-Jun

Taxes Due Taxes become delinquent

Lien Auction

Time Line

Tax certificates are a first lien against property which means there are very few other claims against a property which would be paid before the tax certificate lien. It even supersedes some IRS liens.

Nov 1st

Apr 1st

May-Jun

Taxes Due Taxes become delinquent

Lien Auction

Time Line

Certificates that dont sell at auction become the property of the County and are offered for public purchase at a time and place announced after the auction ends.

Nov 1st

Apr 1st

May-Jun

Jun-Sept

Taxes Due Taxes become delinquent

Lien Auction Liens Available (OTC)

Time Line

The unsold certificates carry an 18% interest rate per Florida Statute beginning on the date the certificate was struck off to the County. A five percent minimum return is guaranteed on certificates purchased from the County and later redeemed.
Nov 1st Apr 1st May-Jun Jun-Sept

Taxes Due Taxes become delinquent

Lien Auction Liens Available (OTC)

Time Line

Taxes Interest TC Fees Ad Cost Lien FV

Nov 1st

A Lien Purchased In June = $100 = 18% annual (1.5% per mo.) = $ 5 = $ 5 = $113
Apr 1st May-Jun Jun-Sept

Taxes Due Taxes become delinquent

Lien Auction Liens Available (OTC)

Time Line

Lien holder's 18% annual interest begins the month following the purchase of the lien.

Lien holder's 18% starts Nov 1st Apr 1st May-Jun Jun-Sept

Taxes Due Taxes become delinquent

Lien Auction Liens Available (OTC)

Time Line

A Lien Purchased In June Interest earned in July = 5% Interest earned in Aug = 5% Interest earned in Sep = 5% Interest earned in Oct = 6% Interest earned in Nov = 7.5%
Lien holder's 18% starts Nov 1st Apr 1st May-Jun Jun-Sept

Taxes Due Taxes become delinquent

Lien Auction Liens Available (OTC)

Time Line

Two years from the date of the delinquency (April 1) but no longer than 7 years, the tax certificate holder can request a tax deed application. This process starts the foreclosure of the property.
2 years from date of delinquency

Nov 1st

Apr 1st

May-Jun

Jun-Sept

Apr 1st (2 yr anniversary)

Taxes Due Taxes become delinquent

Lien Auction Liens Available (OTC)

Request Tax Deed

Time Line

The earliest a lien holder can request a tax deed depends on when it was purchased in relation to the lien's tax deed request date.

Nov 1st

Apr 1st

May-Jun

Jun-Sept

Apr 1st (2 yr anniversary)

Taxes Due Taxes become delinquent

Lien Auction Liens Available (OTC)

Request Tax Deed

Time Line

To foreclose the property, the certificate holder making application for a tax deed has to pay the Tax Collector an application fee, a title search fee and...

Nov 1st

Apr 1st

May-Jun

Jun-Sept

Apr 1st (2 yr anniversary)

Taxes Due Taxes become delinquent

Lien Auction Liens Available (OTC)

Request Tax Deed

Time Line

...all amounts required for redemption or purchase of all other outstanding tax certificates, interest, omitted taxes, and delinquent taxes as well as applicable Clerk of Circuit Court fees, relating to the real estate.

Nov 1st

Apr 1st

May-Jun

Jun-Sept

Apr 1st (2 yr anniversary)

Taxes Due Taxes become delinquent

Lien Auction Liens Available (OTC)

Request Tax Deed

Time Line

Application fee Title search Clerk of Court fee Back & current taxes

= = = =

$76 $65 $400 2-3 yrs worth

Nov 1st

Apr 1st

May-Jun

Jun-Sept

Apr 1st (2 yr anniversary)

Taxes Due Taxes become delinquent

Lien Auction Liens Available (OTC)

Request Tax Deed

Time Line

In most cases the property is scheduled to go to sale at public auction by the Clerk of Circuit Court within 3 to 4 months from the date of the tax deed application. Holding the certificate creates no advantage towards owning the property.
Time lien held by lien holder Apr 1st Nov 1st May-Jun Jun-Sept Apr 1st (2 yr anniversary) 3-4 mo.

Taxes Due Taxes become delinquent

Lien Auction

Request Tax Deed Liens Tax Deed Available Auction (OTC)

Time Line

The highest bidder becomes the owner of the property. If the property is a non homesteaded parcel, the opening bid is the amount of the taxes, accrued interest, plus costs and fees involved in a tax deed application.

Nov 1st

Apr 1st

May-Jun

Jun-Sept

Apr 1st (2 yr anniversary)

3-4 mo.

Taxes Due Taxes become delinquent

Lien Auction

Request Tax Deed Liens Tax Deed Available Auction (OTC)

Time Line

Lien purchased Request Tax Deed Auction Held Months Held Lien Interest Earned Total Check
Nov 1st Apr 1st May-Jun

= = = = = =

June for $113 Apr (2 yr anniversary) July 25 mo. 37.5% $155.38

Time lien held by lien holder Jun-Sept Apr 1st (2 yr anniversary) 3-4 mo.

Taxes Due Taxes become delinquent

Lien Auction

Request Tax Deed Liens Tax Deed Available Auction (OTC)

Time Line

Auction In July Lien Investment = $155.38 Fees = $540 Back & Current Taxes = $427 Interest On Fees & Taxes = $43.52 Minimum Bid = $1165.90
Time lien held by lien holder Apr 1st Nov 1st May-Jun Jun-Sept Apr 1st (2 yr anniversary) 3-4 mo.

Taxes Due Taxes become delinquent

Lien Auction

Request Tax Deed Liens Tax Deed Available Auction (OTC)

Time Line

If it is a homesteaded property, the opening bid is half the assessed value plus the tax certificate face value and costs.

Nov 1st

Apr 1st

May-Jun

Jun-Sept

Apr 1st (2 yr anniversary)

3-4 mo.

Taxes Due Taxes become delinquent

Lien Auction

Request Tax Deed Liens Tax Deed Available Auction (OTC)

Time Line

If the property does not sell, the tax certificate holder is required to take deed to the property.

Nov 1st

Apr 1st

May-Jun

Jun-Sept

Apr 1st (2 yr anniversary)

3-4 mo.

Taxes Due Taxes become delinquent

Lien Auction

Request Tax Deed Liens Tax Deed Available Auction (OTC)

Time Line