Michelle Leeson, CFCA
Collections Specialist
Field Services and Collections Department
Phone: 941.741.4835
Susan Profant, CFCA, CLA, FRP, Paralegal
Field Services and Collections Department
Phone: 941.741.4832
Fax - (941)
721-2008
List of Lands
Available for Taxes: The Tax Deed process can be processed
through an individual bidder, or a county-held certificate.
The Fla. Stat. 197.502(3) says that if the land of a county-held
certificate is valued less than $5,000, the county may file
Tax Deed, but if the land of a county-held certificate is valued
at $5,000 or more, the county shall file Tax Deed. Check the
Instructions for Tax Deed Application for the process. (see
Frequently
Asked Questions for additional info)
The Tax Deed Application is sent to the Clerk of the Circuit
Court and the sale date is set. The Clerk of the Circuit Court
then contacts the Board of County Commissioners and they have
90 days to decide if they want the property. If after 90 days,
the Board does not want the property, the property is placed
on the “List
of Lands Available for Taxes”. At this point, any
one can purchase the property for the opening bid and a Tax
Deed will be issued.
Pursuant to Fla. Stat. 197.502(8) taxes are not extended
against the property each year, but the amount of taxes that
would have been due are added to the opening bid.
The parcels that are currently on the “List of Lands”
have to stay on the list for seven (7) years. After that point,
they will automatically escheat to Manatee County. The new
Fla. Stat. 197.502(8) now states after three (3) years, the
properties will escheat to Manatee County.
You will need to contact our office for the final pay-off
amount of any parcel on the “List of Lands Available”