Tax Sale Redemption Periods by State
The redemption period is the statutory window during which a delinquent property owner can reclaim their real estate by paying back taxes, accrued interest, and penalty fees.
Tax Lien Redemption
In lien states, the certificate holder does not own the property when bidding. The owner has a multi-year window (typically 1 to 4 years) to redeem. If redeemed, the investor receives their principal plus statutory interest. If not redeemed, the lienholder files for a deed foreclosure.
Tax Deed Redemption
In strict tax deed states (like California, Washington, or Florida), there is zero post-sale redemption. The moment the auction hammer falls and the deed is recorded, title vests immediately with the high bidder, free and clear of all previous owner rights.
Hybrid & Redeemable Deed States (The 25% Penalty Model)
States like Texas and Georgia sell deeds that transfer title immediately, but subject the purchaser to a statutory redemption period:
Lien States Timelines
- Arizona 3 Years from Date of Sale
- Colorado 3 Years (Post-Tyler v. Hennepin Fair Market Deed Rules)
- District of Columbia 6 Months to Foreclose Right of Redemption
- Illinois 2 to 2.5 Years (Extended to 30 Months for Residential)
- Indiana 1 Year (Tax Sale) / 120 Days (Commissioner Certificate)
- Iowa 1.75 to 3 Years before 90-Day Notice of Expiration
- Kentucky 1 Year before Foreclosure Filing
- Maryland 6 Months to 2 Years before Foreclosure
- Massachusetts 6 Months before Land Court Foreclosure Petition
- Mississippi 2 Years Statutory Redemption
- Montana 2 to 3 Years before Tax Deed Application
- Nebraska 3 Years from Date of Sale
- New Hampshire 2 Years from Tax Lien Execution Date
- New Jersey 2 Years (6 Months for Municipal Certificates)
- South Dakota 3 Years before Tax Deed Taking
- West Virginia 18 Months to File for Tax Deed
- Wyoming 4 Years before Tax Deed Application
Deed States (No Post-Sale)
- Alaska 1 Year Statutory Redemption
- Arkansas Post-Sale Limited Redemption
- California None (Deed Conveyed Immediately Upon Payment)
- Idaho None (County takes title after 3 years pre-sale delinquency)
- Kansas None Post-Sale (Court Confirmation Finalizes Title)
- Michigan None Post-Sale (Circuit Court Foreclosure)
- Minnesota None Post-Sale (3 Years Pre-Sale Redemption)
- Nevada None (Deed Conveyed upon Confirmation of Sale)
- New Mexico None Post-Sale (Title Issued Immediately)
- New York None Post-Sale (Full Title Issued)
- North Carolina 10-Day Upset Bid Window after Public Auction
- North Dakota None (Annual November Auction Finalizes Title)
- Ohio None Post-Confirmation (Sheriff Sale)
- Oklahoma None Post-Resale (Conveys Clear Title)
- Oregon None Post-Sale (2 Years Pre-Sale Statutory Period)
- Pennsylvania None Post-Sale (Free and Clear Title at Judicial Sale)
- Utah None Post-Sale (Annual May/June Auction)
- Virginia None Post-Sale (Circuit Court Decree)
- Washington None (Deed Conveyed Promptly Upon Sale)
Hybrid States
- Alabama 3 Years from Tax Sale Date
- Connecticut 6 Months Statutory Redemption
- Delaware 60 Days to 1 Year (Monition Sales)
- Florida 2 Years for Lien; None post-Deed sale
- Georgia 12 Months Mandatory Redemption Period
- Hawaii 1 Year Statutory Redemption
- Louisiana 3 Years Statutory Redemption (18 Months for Blighted)
- Maine 18 Months Automatic Mortgage Foreclosure
- Missouri 1 Year on 1st/2nd Offering; Immediate on 3rd Offering
- Rhode Island 1 Year Statutory Redemption Period
- South Carolina 12 Months Mandatory Redemption Period
- Tennessee 3 Months to 1 Year (depending on vacancy)
- Texas 6 Months (Non-Homestead) / 2 Years (Homestead/Ag)
- Vermont 1 Year Statutory Redemption Period
- Wisconsin 2 Years from Certificate Issuance Date