How to Find Properties That Are Behind on Taxes

Properties behind on taxes are real estate where the owner has failed to pay property taxes to local government entities. This tax delinquency results in publicly accessible information, as municipalities and counties must recover unpaid taxes to fund local services. This information is sought by individuals interested in public records and can present potential investment opportunities, particularly through tax sales.

Primary Sources for Delinquent Property Information

Information on tax-delinquent properties is maintained by various government entities and public resources. The county tax assessor or collector’s office often serves as the initial point of contact. This office assesses property values, levies taxes, and maintains comprehensive records of payments and delinquencies.

Another resource is the county clerk or recorder’s office, which records property-related documents, including tax liens and deeds. Many county and municipal governments now offer online portals or websites that provide direct access to property tax records through searchable databases.

Local newspapers and other official publications also play a role, as many jurisdictions require public notification of tax delinquencies or upcoming tax sales. While some private services compile this public data, official government sources remain the definitive origin of such information.

Key Details to Gather

Once a source for delinquent property information is identified, specific data points are important to collect.

Property Identification

This requires details such as the Parcel ID number (also known as Assessor’s Parcel Number or APN), the full property address, and the legal description (including lot, block, and subdivision details).

Owner Information

Information about the last recorded owner, including their name, is typically available.

Delinquency Specifics

This encompasses the tax year(s) for which taxes are owed, the total amount of delinquent taxes, and any accrued interest and penalties. Details concerning any tax liens placed on the property, including the lien holder or certificate number, are often recorded.

Delinquency Status and Assessed Value

Understanding the status indicates whether the property is in a pre-sale phase, pending auction, or has already undergone a tax sale. The current assessed value of the property provides valuable context regarding its valuation by the local government.

Methods for Accessing Records

Accessing property tax delinquency records involves navigating physical and digital channels. Online search portals provided by county tax websites are a common method, allowing users to search by property address, parcel ID, or owner name. These platforms often present results pages to view or download records digitally.

For in-person research, county offices, such as the tax assessor’s or clerk’s office, provide public terminals and assistance for navigating physical record archives. It is advisable to contact these offices beforehand to understand their specific procedures and hours. If information is not readily available through standard online or in-person channels, formal public records requests, often governed by state equivalents of the Freedom of Information Act, can be submitted to obtain specific documents.

Newspaper archives, both physical and digital, can also be searched for historical public notices concerning tax delinquencies and sales. These publications are typically mandated to carry such announcements, offering another avenue for historical or current information.

Understanding the Tax Sale Process

The process after a property becomes tax delinquent is a government-driven mechanism to recover unpaid property taxes. Initially, a delinquency period begins after taxes are due, often with notices sent to property owners before further action. Some states have a multi-year process where properties become delinquent, with increasing fees and interest accruing over time.

States generally utilize one of two primary systems to recover these delinquent taxes: the tax lien system or the tax deed system. In a tax lien system, the government sells a tax lien certificate, granting the holder the right to collect owed taxes plus interest from the property owner. If the property owner does not redeem the lien within a specified period, typically two to three years, the lien holder may then apply for a tax deed.

Conversely, in a tax deed system, the government directly sells the property at auction to recover unpaid taxes. The buyer acquires ownership directly through the sale. Both systems involve public notice and auction preparation, where governments advertise upcoming tax sales in newspapers and on county websites, outlining registration processes for participants.

A redemption period is a common feature in many tax sale processes, allowing the original property owner a specified timeframe to pay back delinquent taxes, along with accrued interest and penalties, to reclaim their property. This period can vary, often one to three years, depending on state law and the type of property. If the property is not redeemed within this period after a tax lien sale, the tax lien holder can apply for a tax deed. The entire process underscores the county or municipality’s role in maintaining public services by ensuring property taxes are collected.