Michigan tax lien & tax deed sales

Unpaid taxes are returned as delinquent to the county treasurer on March 1. On the March 1 that follows twelve months later, property still delinquent for taxes, interest, penalties, and fees is forfeited to the county treasurer for the full unpaid amount and a $175 fee is added. Forfeiture alone transfers no title and gives no right of possession. The foreclosing governmental unit then files a single petition for foreclosure by June 15 of the forfeiture year, the circuit court hears it no more than 30 days before the following March 1, and the judgment of foreclosure vests absolute fee simple title in that unit if the amounts due are not paid by the March 31 immediately succeeding entry of the judgment, or within 21 days of entry in a contested case.MCL 211.78g - forfeiture to the county treasurer on March 1 after 12 months delinquent, the $175 fee, the additional 1/2 percent per month, and what it costs to redeemMCL 211.78gVerified Aug 6, 2026

A county board of commissioners could elect instead to have the state foreclose property forfeited to the county treasurer, in which case the Department of Treasury is responsible for conducting the sale.MCL 211.78m - the auction itself: right of first refusal ladder, the July to November sale window, minimum bid, bidder affidavit, payment, deed, and unsold propertyMCL 211.78mVerified Aug 6, 2026

On Tax-Sale.info, the platform most Michigan counties use, bidding requires a $1,000 pre-authorization hold on a major credit card rather than a cash deposit. Confirm the figure in the county's published auction terms before registering.MCL 211.78m - the auction itself: right of first refusal ladder, the July to November sale window, minimum bid, bidder affidavit, payment, deed, and unsold propertyMCL 211.78mVerified Aug 6, 2026

Before conveyance, the buyer must also give the unit proof that any property taxes owed on the parcel at the time of the sale were paid to the local tax collecting unit. If those taxes are not paid within 21 days of the sale the unit must cancel the sale, and it may then offer the property to the next highest bidder. Once all required amounts are paid, the deed must be conveyed within 14 days. Tax-Sale.info sets a tighter contractual deadline than the statutory ceiling, giving winning online bidders 5 business days after the sale ends to submit payment and notarized paperwork.MCL 211.78m - the auction itself: right of first refusal ladder, the July to November sale window, minimum bid, bidder affidavit, payment, deed, and unsold propertyMCL 211.78mVerified Aug 6, 2026

Remaining proceeds are the amount paid to the foreclosing governmental unit for the property, minus the minimum bid, minus other fees and expenses of forfeiture, foreclosure, sale, maintenance, repair, and remediation not already inside the minimum bid, minus a sale commission payable to the unit equal to 5 percent of the amount paid for the property. The claimant must submit a notice of intention on a Department of Treasury form by the July 1 immediately following the effective date of the foreclosure, then file a motion in the same circuit court proceeding in which the foreclosure judgment was effective, during the period beginning February 1 immediately after the property was sold and ending the following May 15. The court sets a hearing, decides the relative priority and value of each claimant's interest, and orders payment. Once the order enters, any further claim relating to that property is barred.MCL 211.78t - claims to remaining proceeds after a tax foreclosure sale, the definition of remaining proceeds, and the 5 percent sale commissionMCL 211.78tVerified Aug 6, 2026