A Tax Certificate is a lien on the property. A Tax Certificate Sale is held on or before June 1 each year on all unpaid real estate taxes. The sale is operated on a competitive bid basis with interest beginning at 18% and progressing downwards. When a certificate is sold against a piece of property, the successful bidder pays the delinquent taxes and receives a certificate as a receipt, which constitutes a first lien against the property.
If a Tax Certificate is issued, will I lose my property?
Not necessarily. To pay off the tax certificate, any individual, not just the owner of the property, must remit to the Tax Collector all delinquent taxes plus accrued interest, penalties, and advertising. If the purchaser of the certificate holds that certificate for a period of two years from the date of delinquency and the taxes remain unpaid, then the certificate holder may file a tax deed application with the Tax Collector.
What payment methods are accepted for Tax Certificates?
Property tax certificates must be paid in the form of cash, cashier’s check, treasurer’s check, official check, title company check, attorney’s trust account check, money order, certified funds, wire transfer, debit card (subject to your bank’s daily cash limit) or by credit card*. A $2.50 processing fee for debit cards and a 2.5% processing fee (minimum of $2.50) for credit cards will apply. Our office does not retain any portion of this fee.
*If paying online, a credit card must be used.
What is the Tax Deed process?
Any tax certificate holder making application for a tax deed must first pay off all outstanding tax certificates and any delinquent and current taxes on the property. In addition, they must include a tax deed application fee of $75.00, a search fee of $150.00 and a Clerk of Circuit Court fee of $600.00. The property owner is then notified of this action and, if the taxes remain unpaid, the property will be auctioned off by the Clerk of the Circuit Court to the highest bidder, in a public sale held online at www.manatee.realforeclose.com. The public sale/auction is advertised in a local newspaper for four consecutive weeks. The opening bid will be the total amount of taxes paid or surrendered plus other fees and interest.
Can a Tax Deed be stopped?
Yes, to stop the tax deed process once it has begun, the individual or property owner must pay ALL amounts due. To obtain a payoff, contact the Field Services & Collections Department:
Visit taxcollector.com to sign up for property tax email alerts! Email alerts will allow you to receive an email when taxes are due, when a payment is made, when discount periods are ending, and when the taxes are delinquent. View this easy tutorial for assistance > How to Sign Up for Property Tax Email Alerts, available on taxcollector.com.
You can also access and pay property taxes, print duplicate bills and paid tax receipts on taxcollector.com.
