Yes. In Florida you can generally stop a tax deed sale by paying what is owed before the winning bidder pays the clerk in full. The exact cutoff is set by the county clerk, so call early.
What you have to pay
To redeem, you pay the tax collector the delinquent taxes, plus accrued interest, advertising, and other costs on the application. The amount may cover several years if more than one certificate exists, and it changes as interest and costs add up. Always get a current figure in writing.
How it works
- Call the tax collector or the clerk and ask for the redemption amount and the sale date.
- Pay with certified funds. Many offices do not take personal checks, so confirm accepted methods.
- Get a receipt showing the case is redeemed, and ask the clerk to confirm the sale is cancelled.
Who can redeem
The owner can. Mortgage holders and some other parties with a legal interest may be able to as well.
When redeeming is not enough
- You cannot come up with the full amount in time.
- The house needs more than you can fund, and the back taxes are only part of the problem.
- You would rather keep the equity than keep the house.
In those cases, selling before the auction can leave you with more than you would get if the house goes to sale.
What to do this week
Get the payoff and the sale date. If you can pay it, do. If you cannot, send me the numbers and I will show you what a sale before the auction would look like.
Common questions
About Yogi
Yogi Ganeshram, eXp Realty licensed REALTOR, 23+ years, 500+ homes sold, 200+ flips, 400+ short sales with deficiency waivers secured
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This article is general education, not legal or tax advice. Talk to a licensed Florida attorney or tax professional about your situation.
Yoganand Ganeshram PA · Licensed Florida Real Estate Agent — SL 3131685 · eXp Realty in Florida · Equal Housing Opportunity.