Behind on Property Taxes in Florida? Your Options
What happens if you fall behind on property taxes in Florida? Unpaid taxes become delinquent, the county sells a tax certificate on the property, and if the certificate is not redeemed, the holder can eventually apply for a tax deed and the home can be sold at auction. You can stop that by paying, or by selling the house and having the title company pay the taxes from the proceeds at closing. We buy houses with delinquent taxes for cash.
The timeline below is general and based on Chapter 197 of the Florida Statutes. It is not legal or tax advice; your county tax collector and clerk of court can confirm the status and exact amounts for your parcel.
- Fair cash offer in 24 hours
- No repairs, fees, or commissions
- Close in as little as 10 days
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Taxes paid from proceeds
The title company pays delinquent taxes and certificates at closing, so you do not need cash up front.
Work before the tax deed sale
If an auction date is set, we schedule the closing to beat it whenever title allows.
As-is condition
Owners behind on taxes are often behind on repairs too. We buy without either being fixed first.
Straight numbers
You see the payoff of taxes, certificates and liens on the settlement statement before you sign.
Tax certificates, tax deeds and how much time you have
Florida property taxes are due on November 1, with discounts for paying early, and become delinquent on April 1 of the following year (section 197.333). After delinquency, the tax collector holds a tax certificate sale, usually by June 1. Investors bid on the interest rate they will accept, up to a maximum of 18 percent per year, and the winning bidder pays the taxes. The owner still owns the home, but the certificate is now a first lien that grows with interest.
The owner, or anyone acting for the owner, can redeem the certificate at any time before a tax deed is issued by paying the face amount plus interest, costs and charges (section 197.472). If it is not redeemed, the certificate holder can apply for a tax deed once two years have passed since April 1 of the year the certificate was issued (section 197.502). The clerk then advertises and holds a tax deed auction. A certificate that nobody applies on expires after seven years (section 197.482). Additional years of unpaid taxes add more certificates.
Selling is often the simplest way out when you cannot catch up. At closing, the title company pays the delinquent taxes, any outstanding certificates and the mortgage from the sale proceeds, and the rest goes to you. If a tax deed auction is already scheduled, time is short, so call the clerk to confirm the date and contact us right away. Florida also offers installment payment plans and, in some cases, deferral programs for homestead owners, which are worth asking the tax collector about if you want to keep the house.
Official starting points
These primary sources can help you verify the general information discussed above. For advice about your documents or deadlines, consult the appropriate Florida professional.
- Florida Statutes, Chapter 197 ↗
Tax collection, tax certificates, redemption and tax deeds.
- Florida Department of Revenue: property tax information for taxpayers ↗
State overview of exemptions, payment and the property-tax calendar.
From condos to distressed homes: what we buy in Florida
No matter the property type or its condition, we make fair cash offers throughout Florida. Explore what we buy:
Single-Family Homes
Florida aging single-family homes: sold fast for cash, no repairs.
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We make cash offers on tenant-occupied rentals throughout Florida.
DetailsApartment Buildings
We make cash offers on apartment buildings throughout Florida.
DetailsFourplexes
Fourplexes in Florida — bought as-is, on your timeline.
DetailsDuplexes
Florida small multifamily duplexes: sold fast for cash, no repairs.
DetailsHomes with Code Violations
From across Florida, we buy homes with code violations or open permits directly for cash.
DetailsVacation Homes
Sell vacation homes anywhere in Florida without fees or showings.
DetailsFire-Damaged Homes
We make cash offers on fire- and smoke-damaged homes throughout Florida.
DetailsHow a direct sale works in a Florida behind on property taxes sale
Three transparent decisions take you from an initial a Florida behind on property taxes sale property review to a title-company closing.
Describe the a Florida behind on property taxes sale property
Share the address, condition, occupancy, and your preferred timing. Photos are helpful but are not required to begin.
Review the written offer
For the a Florida behind on property taxes sale property, we review comparable sales, title, and condition—including taxes paid from proceeds, work before the tax deed sale, as-is condition—then explain the no-obligation cash terms.
Choose the practical closing date
If the a Florida behind on property taxes sale offer fits, a licensed title company verifies ownership and payoffs. A clear-title purchase can close in as little as 10 days, or later when you need time.
Behind on Property Taxes — FAQs
Straight answers so you can make the right decision.
A tax deed can be applied for once two years have passed since April 1 of the year the first tax certificate was issued, and the auction comes after that application. Until a tax deed is issued, you can generally redeem by paying what is owed.
Yes. The certificate is a lien. The title company pays it off, with interest, from the sale proceeds at closing.
Contact the clerk of court to confirm the date and call us immediately. Redemption is generally available until the tax deed is issued, so a quick sale can still work if title allows.
No. A certificate is a lien bought by an investor; you still own the house. A tax deed transfers ownership after an auction. That is why acting before a deed is issued matters.
If the sale price is more than the taxes, certificates, mortgage and other liens, the difference is paid to you at closing. We show you those numbers before you sign.
Related situations we help with
Guides that go deeper
Plain-English explanations of the Florida rules behind this situation:
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Tell us how behind on property taxes affects your property and timing. We will review the facts, explain the written offer, and leave the decision with you.
- Fair cash offer within 24 hours
- No repairs, fees, or commissions
- Close in as little as 10 days
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