- Does Florida sell tax liens or tax deeds?
- Both. Tax Collectors conduct certificate sales, which create liens rather than transfer ownership. Eligible certificate holders may apply for deed sales after the statutory waiting period; deed auctions are a separate process.
- What interest rate do Florida tax certificates pay?
- The maximum is 18 percent annually, with quarter-percent bid steps. At redemption, an absolute 5 percent minimum applies if accrued interest is lower, except for zero-percent bids. It is a minimum amount, not a guaranteed annual yield. F.S. 197.172(2) bars certificate interest and that minimum during the first 60 days after delinquency, except for the separate pre-sale charge.
- How long is the redemption period in Florida?
- An owner can redeem a certificate any time up until full payment for the tax deed is made to the Clerk, which can cut off redemption even before the deed is formally issued (F.S. 197.472(1)). A certificate holder cannot apply for a tax deed until two years have passed since April 1 of the year the certificate was issued.
- Why would an investor bid 0 percent on a Florida tax certificate?
- A zero-percent bid earns no interest and is exempt from the redemption minimum. A holder may be eligible to apply for a deed sale after the statutory waiting period. The application leads to an auction and does not guarantee that the holder will own the property.
- What deposit is required to bid at a Florida tax deed sale?
- Under F.S. 197.542(2), the highest bidder deposits 5 percent of the bid or $200, whichever is greater, at the sale. Full payment, including documentary stamp tax and recording fees, is due within 24 hours, excluding weekends and legal holidays. Subsection (1) gives the certificate holder 30 days to pay if no higher bid wins.
Ready to act on these rules? Follow how to buy Florida tax liens and deeds for the registration, bidding, and post-sale sequence in order.
Verified Oct 3, 2026 against Florida statutes.
Tax Sale Atlas publishes educational information about public tax sale processes. This is not legal, financial, or investment advice. Rules, dates, and fees change; confirm with the office that runs the sale before you bid.