Does Clinton County, Iowa sell tax liens or tax deeds?

Clinton County follows Iowa's tax lien state system.

When is the Clinton County tax certificate sale?

The Treasurer states the sale is "held annually on the third Monday in June online at www.govease.com." Qualifying delinquent parcels are published in the county's official publication "one time during the last week in May each year," and the property tax page notes the sale covers taxes delinquent as of May 1 with notice mailed no later than May 1.. Registration and bidding happen on the county's online platform. Always confirm the exact date with the Tax Collector before the sale.

How often does Clinton County hold tax deed sales?

none. Each sale is scheduled and advertised in advance, so check the county's tax deed calendar for the next posted date.

County-verified

Clinton County, IA tax sales

How tax lien certificate sales work in Clinton County, seat of Clinton: sale calendar, auction platform, over-the-counter lists, and the offices that run each sale.

Verified Jul 29, 2026 against official county and state sources.

New here? Read how Iowa tax sales work, the difference between a lien and a deed, and redemption periods.

How Clinton County sells delinquent taxes

Tax certificate sale (lien)

GovEase

Run by: Clinton County Treasurer
Frequency: annual
Typical timing: The Treasurer states the sale is "held annually on the third Monday in June online at www.govease.com." Qualifying delinquent parcels are published in the county's official publication "one time during the last week in May each year," and the property tax page notes the sale covers taxes delinquent as of May 1 with notice mailed no later than May 1.
Next expected: on the third Monday in June, 2027 (window; exact date posts closer to the sale)
Sale list: Clinton County Treasurer tax sale page (parcel list published in the county's official newspaper the last week of May; a nightly updated listing is available on GovEase to registered bidders)

Registration and deposit

The Treasurer directs bidders to "Register to participate in the Tax Sale Auction on the GovEase Auction website." Bidders create an account through the GovEase bidder portal at liveauctions.govease.com and bid online on sale day. The county page does not publish a registration deadline, bidder deposit, or registration fee, so confirm those with the Treasurer's office or GovEase before the sale.

Iowa lien mechanics as stated by the Treasurer: the winning bidder pays only the outstanding taxes, which does not clear other liens or transfer ownership. Interest accrues at 2% per month for up to three years, and the buyer may pay subsequent taxes once they are delinquent 45 days, with those payments added to the redemption amount and also earning 2% per month. Taxes must stay unpaid one year and nine months before the buyer can file a 90 day affidavit with the Treasurer to start the deed process; if the sale is not redeemed in that 90 day window the buyer may pay the fees for a tax sale deed. A certificate not taken to deed within three years is canceled and the investor forfeits any interest. Only the record owner or a party with a vested interest may redeem, and a non owner paying a redemption must submit the Application and Affidavit for Redemption of Real Estate Sold for Taxes. Parcels advertised twice and unsold for want of bidders go to a Public Bidder Sale, where Iowa law requires the county itself to buy the delinquency if no private bidder steps in. One caution on platform confusion: the statewide iowatreasurers.org payment portal carries a generic "Register And Bid For Tax Sales" link to iowataxauction.com (the Zeus/SRI program used by many other Iowa counties), but Clinton County's own Treasurer page names GovEase as its auction site.

Source: Clinton County Treasurer, Tax Sale· Verified Jul 29, 2026

From lien to deed

Run by: County Treasurer
Frequency: none
Typical timing: Iowa holds no tax deed auction. The treasurer makes out a treasurer's deed to the certificate holder immediately after 90 days have expired from completed service of the notice of expiration of the right of redemption, once the holder returns the certificate and pays the deed and recording fees.

There is nothing for an investor to bid on at the deed stage in Iowa. The only auction is the June certificate sale. The certificate holder must return the certificate of purchase and remit the deed and recording fees within 90 calendar days after the redemption period expires, or the treasurer cancels the certificate.

Source: Iowa Code 448.1 - Return of certificate of purchase, execution of deed, feesIowa Code 448.1· Verified Jul 29, 2026

Over-the-counter (leftover) purchases

Two routes reach parcels after the June sale. Parcels that remain unsold for want of bidders are carried to adjourned sales, which the treasurer sets at intervals of not more than two months until the next annual sale. Separately, certificates struck to the county at the public bidder sale may be assigned by the county for the total amount due on the date of assignment, or for a compromised amount, under a written agreement filed with the treasurer and a 10 dollar assignment transaction fee. Ask the county treasurer which county-held certificates are available for assignment.

New to this path? Read how over-the-counter certificates work.

County offices

Tax Collector (runs the certificate sale)

Clinton County Treasurer

563-244-0573

Mailing: P.O. Box 2957, Clinton, IA 52733. Office: Administration Building, 1900 N. 3rd St., Clinton, IA 52733.

Official website

Notes for Clinton County

Treasurer's office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a satellite office in DeWitt at 226 11th St. open Tuesday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Property taxes run in two installments: first half due September 1 and delinquent October 1, second half due March 1 and delinquent April 1. Delinquent interest accrues at 1.5% per month with a one dollar minimum penalty.
Payment status on individual parcels can be checked through the Iowa County Treasurers portal, which is how the Treasurer suggests tracking parcels that get paid off before sale day.
The county page opens with its own disclaimer that the summary is provided for reference only and readers should consult the Iowa Code or legal counsel.
The Treasurer's page does not state a bidder registration deadline, deposit amount, or how tied bids are resolved, so those details must come from GovEase or the office directly.

Iowa statewide rules

Max interest rate: 24% per year, fixed by statute (not bid down)
Minimum return: No statutory minimum return; what you earn is set by the share of ownership taken at the sale
Redemption: A parcel may be redeemed at any time before the right of redemption expires. After one year and nine months from the date of sale, the certificate holder may serve a notice of expiration of the right of redemption on the person in possession, the person in whose name the parcel is taxed, and every mortgagee, contract vendor, recorded lessor, and other party of record. The right of redemption then ends 90 days after that service is complete, which means the affidavit of service has been filed with the county treasurer. Three shortened tracks exist: nine months from a public bidder sale under section 446.18, and three months from an abandoned-property or public nuisance sale under section 446.19A or 446.19B. After the treasurer delivers the deed, redemption is possible only through an equitable action in district court, and only by a person who could have redeemed during the 90-day window.
Surplus proceeds: No surplus arises. The deed conveys the parcel to the certificate holder rather than selling it to the highest bidder, so there are no excess proceeds to distribute. Where the winning bid was less than 100 percent, the deed conveys only that undivided percentage interest in the parcel.
Governing statute: Iowa Code Chapter 446

A tax deed does not convey marketable title. Most buyers file a quiet title action before they can resell or insure the property. See the due diligence guide.

See the full Iowarules and every county →

Frequently asked questions

Does Clinton County, Iowa sell tax liens or tax deeds?: Clinton County follows Iowa's tax lien state system.
When is the Clinton County tax certificate sale?: The Treasurer states the sale is "held annually on the third Monday in June online at www.govease.com." Qualifying delinquent parcels are published in the county's official publication "one time during the last week in May each year," and the property tax page notes the sale covers taxes delinquent as of May 1 with notice mailed no later than May 1.. Registration and bidding happen on the county's online platform. Always confirm the exact date with the Tax Collector before the sale.
How often does Clinton County hold tax deed sales?: none. Each sale is scheduled and advertised in advance, so check the county's tax deed calendar for the next posted date.

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.