- Does Texas sell tax liens or tax deeds?
- Texas sells deeds, not lien certificates. A taxing unit forecloses its tax lien in district court and a sheriff or constable auctions the property. The winning bidder takes a deed at the sale, subject to the former owner's right of redemption. There is no investor tax lien certificate anywhere in Texas.
- When are Texas tax sales held?
- On the first Tuesday of the month, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., at the county courthouse or another public place the commissioners court has designated. If the first Tuesday falls on January 1 or July 4, the sale moves to the first Wednesday. A county that has authorized online bidding may open the auction earlier, but it must close at 4 p.m. on that first Tuesday.
- How long is the redemption period in Texas?
- Two years for a residence homestead, for land designated for agricultural use, and for a mineral interest. 180 days for every other property. The clock runs from the date the purchaser's deed is filed for record, not from the sale date, so the filing date is the one to track.
- What does an owner pay to redeem a property in Texas?
- The bid amount, the deed recording fee, and any taxes, penalties, interest, and statutory costs the purchaser paid, plus a premium. On homestead, agricultural-use, and mineral-interest property the premium is 25 percent of that total in the first year and 50 percent in the second. On all other property the premium is capped at 25 percent. The purchaser must itemize claimed costs in writing within 10 days of a written request, and unitemized costs do not count.
- What do you need to bid at a Texas tax sale?
- In the counties where Section 34.015 applies, the officer may not execute or deliver the deed until you show an unexpired written statement from the county assessor-collector confirming you owe no delinquent ad valorem taxes to that county or to any school district or municipality in it. The statement costs up to $10 and expires 90 days after issuance. Counties that have adopted Section 34.011 instead require registration with the assessor-collector before bidding opens, with an annual certification that you owe no delinquent taxes.
- What happens to sale money above the taxes owed?
- The officer pays excess proceeds to the clerk of the court that ordered the sale. The clerk holds them for two years and notifies the former owner when the amount exceeds $25. A claim must be filed before the second anniversary of the sale, and the court pays established claims in priority order through taxing units and lienholders before reaching the former owner. Unclaimed money goes to the taxing units.
- Can you buy Texas tax property over the counter?
- Not as a certificate. When a parcel draws no sufficient bid it is struck off to the taxing unit, which may then resell it at any time by public or private sale. A public resale requested through the sheriff or constable may be sold for any amount. Those struck-off lists are usually published by the delinquent-tax law firm representing the county's taxing units rather than by the county.
- When can a Texas tax sale buyer take possession?
- The foreclosure judgment provides for a writ of possession, which the clerk may issue no sooner than 20 days after the purchaser's deed is filed of record. The former owner keeps no right to use, possess, or collect rent from the property during the redemption period, but a redemption within the statutory window unwinds the purchase, so most buyers wait out the 180-day or two-year clock before spending on the property.
Verified Jul 25, 2026 against Texas 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.