The statutory ceiling
This is the maximum. Bidders compete by bidding the rate down at the sale, so the rate you actually earn is set at the auction and is often lower. It never falls below 5% on redemption.
The minimum you can earn
On redemption the certificate pays at least 5% of the face amount, whichever is greater than the rate bid, so a low winning bid still returns the floor.
How interest accrues
The annual bid rate accrues monthly (bid rate divided by 12 per month); a partial month counts as a full month. At redemption the holder receives the bid rate or the 5 percent floor, whichever is greater (except 0 percent bids).
Why some certificates are bid to zero
Bidders may bid the rate all the way down to 0 percent. A 0 percent certificate earns no interest and returns only its face amount at redemption; it is the sole exception to the mandatory 5 percent minimum. Investors bid 0 percent purely to secure the right to force a tax deed after two years.
The headline rate is a ceiling, not a forecast. To see what a certificate actually pays after the rate is bid down, run the numbers in the yield calculator, and compare Florida against other states on interest rates by state.
Verified Jul 4, 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 county office before you bid.