- Does Tennessee sell tax liens or tax deeds?
- Tennessee sells redeemable tax deeds. There is no tax lien certificate auction. The county files a delinquent tax lawsuit, the court orders the parcel sold, and the clerk auctions the property itself. The buyer takes title through the order confirming the sale, subject to a redemption period of up to one year.
- How long is the redemption period in Tennessee?
- Up to one year from entry of the order confirming the sale, on a sliding scale set by the court for each parcel: one year when the taxes were delinquent 5 years or less, 180 days when delinquent more than 5 but less than 8 years, 90 days when delinquent 8 years or more, and 30 days when the court finds the property vacant and abandoned. It never runs past one year.
- What does a Tennessee tax sale purchaser earn if the owner redeems?
- Interest at 12 percent per annum on the entire purchase price, accruing from the day the purchaser pays the clerk until the motion to redeem is filed, plus reimbursement of later taxes paid with the same interest and certain court-approved expenses such as insurance and repairs that prevent waste. There is no minimum return, so an early redemption pays only the interest that has accrued.
- Who runs Tennessee tax sales, and are they online?
- The clerk of the court hearing the delinquent tax suit, most often the Chancery Court Clerk and Master, conducts the sale under court order. The statute lets the sale run online in lieu of public outcry, and counties split between formats: Davidson County sells in person at the courthouse, while counties such as Rutherford and Sullivan sell through GovEase. The sale notice must be published at least 20 days before the sale.
- What is the minimum bid at a Tennessee tax sale?
- The ascertained debt: the delinquent taxes, accrued interest, the 10 percent suit penalty where it applies, attorney fees, and court costs. The clerk bids that amount for the taxing entity whenever no one else offers as much, so a parcel cannot sell for less unless the county has decided, for environmental or financial risk reasons, not to bid at all.
- Do Tennessee tax sale buyers get a deed?
- The order of confirmation of sale entered by the court is the conveyance; state law treats any reference to a tax deed as a reference to that order. The clerk also records a report of sale with the register of deeds within five business days of the sale. A lawsuit attacking the sale must normally be filed within one year of the confirmation order, with a three-year outer limit.
- Can you buy Tennessee tax sale property over the counter?
- Yes, from the county rather than at a statewide counter. Parcels struck to the county at the tax sale go onto a published list each county must update by July 1, and any person may file a written offer for one. The county publishes the offer, competing bidders have ten days to raise it by 10 percent or more, and the highest offer wins, sometimes through an online resale. Parcels bought before the redemption period expires stay subject to redemption.
- What happens to money left over after a Tennessee tax sale?
- Excess proceeds stay with the court. Any interested person may file a motion in the tax case to claim them, and the court pays remaining taxes first, then lienholders in priority order, then the former owner. Funds no one claims pass to the state as unclaimed property, and a claim motion can be filed any time until the money is actually forwarded to the state.
Verified Aug 18, 2026 against Tennessee 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.