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Tax Sale Atlas

National reference

Tax deed states

In a tax deed state, the county sells the property itself at auction to recover unpaid taxes, and you can walk away owning real estate. A redeemable deed state adds a redemption window with a penalty before the sale becomes final. Either way, a tax deed does not convey marketable title on its own, so most buyers budget for a quiet title action. It is the property play, as opposed to the yield play of a tax lien state.

States that sell tax deeds

This includes pure deed states and redeemable-deed states (where the owner can still redeem with a penalty for a set time). Hybrid states like Florida run a tax deed sale after the lien-certificate stage, so they appear here and on the lien list.

Every tax deed and redeemable deed state

The complete list of states that sell the property at the tax sale, split between straight deed states and redeemable deed states where the former owner can still buy it back for a set penalty. Each entry is classified from its own statute or revenue authority. States we have mapped in full link through to their rules and counties.

States with tax deed sales

A state can sell tax deeds in three ways: a straight deed auction, a redeemable deed sale with a post-sale buyback right, or a hybrid lien-to-deed system. Georgia is a redeemable deed state, so searches like "Georgia tax deed sales" belong with the Georgia rules rather than a new national page. Start with how Georgia tax sales work for that state, or use the list above to compare all deed states.

Redeemable deed states are a separate subgroup

Redeemable deed states give the owner months to redeem at a penalty after the deed sale. If that is the structure you are comparing, use the dedicated redeemable deed table rather than this broader tax deed list.

Redemption periods by stateRedeemable deed statesInterest and penalty rates by state
Due diligence before you bidValue a parcel firstTax lien vs tax deedThe core distinctionQuiet title actionClearing tax deed title

Florida runs both paths

Certificates first, then a tax deed sale after the redemption window. All 67 counties, sourced.

Florida tax deedsAll states