When the sale is held
On or before June 1, or the 60th day after the date of delinquency, whichever is later. The delinquent list is advertised once a week for three weeks beforehand.
When taxes go delinquent
Property taxes become delinquent on April 1 following the year they were assessed (or 60 days after the tax notice was mailed, whichever is later). A property-tax lien is a first lien, superior to a mortgage and most other encumbrances, which is what makes a Florida certificate senior collateral.
What happens after the sale
A certificate holder applies for a tax deed after two years have elapsed since April 1 of the year the certificate was issued, and before the certificate expires.
Leftover parcels between sales
Certificates that no investor buys are struck to the county at the full 18 percent. Any person can then buy these county-held certificates over the counter at face value plus 1.5 percent per month plus a $6.25 fee. Separately, parcels that go unsold at a tax deed sale land on the Clerk's 'Lands Available for Taxes' list.
These dates are the statewide statutory schedule. The exact auction date, registration deadline, and platform are set county by county, so confirm them on the Florida county pages before you plan a bid. For the mechanics of the sale itself, see how to buy in Florida.
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.