Tax Deed And Certificate

Florida Tax Deeds are required to be advertised in local newspapers and publicized on radio and television shows once each week for month leading up to the auction. The tax deed sales are mainly held at the local courthouses and attract a large following. It is imperative that you research the property you plan to bid on before you place a bids to avoid losing money.

The high bidder is required to post a $200 nonrefundable cash deposit with the Clerk in most area's at the time of the sale. If full payment of the final bid amount, the documentary stamp tax and recording fees is not made within 24 hours of the sale, excluding weekends and holidays, the Clerk will pay all readvertising costs and costs of the sale from the deposit. If full payment is made in accordance with the requirements, the deposit will be applied to the sale price.

Payment must be in the form of cash, cashiers check or money order is acceptable. Payment for the documentary stamps and recording fees should be separate from the payment for the bid amount. All sales are final. No refunds will be issued.

The bid amount plus applicable documentary stamp taxes and recording fees are required to be paid in full to the Clerk of the Circuit Court within twenty four (24) hours after the advertised time of sale.

Tax Certificate information can be obtained from the Tax Collector's Office.

Information on the property subject to a tax deed sale is normly available in the Property Appraiser's Office.

Lands available for taxes are properties that have been advertised for sale by the Clerk at public auction, and no bidders appeared at the public sale to purchase the properties. When this happens, the Clerk is required to enter the land on a list called "lands available for taxes" and to notify the Board of County Commissioners and all other persons holding certificates against the land that the land is available.

The listing of lands available for taxes is available may be purchased in the Recording Services Department in the subject county.

Any person may purchase property from the list of lands available for taxes. The county has 90 days after the land is placed on the list to purchase the land for the opening bid, if all outstanding tax sale certificates were issued after 1999. If any tax sale certificates were sold on or before 1999, the County has 90 days from the sale date to purchase the land. After the 90 days, any person, the county or governmental unit may purchase the land for the opening bid without further notice or advertising required. "Omitted" taxes plus interest will be added to the minimum bid except when the county or other governmental unit is the purchaser for its' own use.

A parcel of land may be purchased from the listing of lands available for taxes in the Recording Services Department's Tax Deed Section.

It is suggested that you seek advice on any property that you are considering for purchase. There may be liens or encumbrances on the property.