| What are tax deed sales? |
Tax Deed Sales deal with the selling of property that is delinquent in taxes. A tax deed sale occurs after an owner of a Tax Certificate applies to the Tax Collector for a Tax Deed after the Tax Certificate has been held for the statutory period. |
| When and where are these tax deed sales held? |
Tax Deed Sales are generally held on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. in the Jury Auditorium 2nd Floor George E Edgecomb Courthouse 800 East Twiggs Street Tampa FL 33602. Call for verification before attending.
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| Where can I find out about upcoming sales? |
The Clerk advertises tax deed sales for four consecutive weeks. The first publication is at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the sale. We advertise in the following newspapers on a rotating basis: Penny Saver, LaGaceta, Tampa Record, Florida Sentinel and the Gulf Coast Business Review.
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| What are some things that I should know before the sale? |
There is no pre-registration required in order to participate in the bidding. You or a representative must be physically present at the sale to bid on the property. However, we recommend that you research the properties before you bid. It is very important to understand what you are purchasing at the sale and whether there may be any liens remaining on the property. Tax Deed sales are not for the uninformed. |
| What happens if I am successful in a bid for a property? |
As of July 1, 2011 if you are the successful bidder for a piece of property: - You are required to post a nonrefundable deposit of 5 percent of the bid or $200.00, whichever is greater, at the conclusion of the bidding for the parcel. This requirement is provided for in Florida State Statute Chapter 197.542(2). The deposit must be made in cash or by cashier's check payable to Pat Frank, Clerk of the Circuit Court. When paying the deposit, the amount must be exact as we will be unable to provide change; any amounts paid in excess of the required deposit cannot be refunded but will be credited to the final payment. If the deposit is not paid by the successful bidder at the conclusion of a parcel's sale, then the bidding on that parcel will begin again at the base bid amount.
- Payment in full must be made within twenty-four (24) hours from the advertised time of the sale. Payment must be made in cash or by cashier's check payable to Clerk of the Circuit Court. After we have received payment in full for your successful bid, we will prepare, issue and record a Tax Deed which will be mailed to you. If you fail to remit payment within the required time, bids made by you at subsequent auctions may be refused. If full payment is not received for a property bid at auction, it will be re-advertised and placed up for auction at the next scheduled sale.
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| What happens if a property receives no bids? |
Properties for which no bids are received at the auction are placed on our "Lands Available List", if it is a County held certificate. Florida Statutes Chapter 197 provides the County may, at any time within the first 90 days from the day the property is placed on the list, purchase the property for the opening base bid. After the ninety day period, the property is available for purchase by the public for the base bid plus accrued interest, any taxes due, documentary stamps, and recording and indexing fees. If the certificate is a non-homestead property, brought to sale by an individual certificate holder (the applicant) and no bids are received, the applicant is issued a Tax Deed for monies already paid to bring the property to sale plus any additional fees due. On properties that have a homestead classification, ½ of the assessed value is added to the base bid per Florida Statute 197. If the certificate holder fails to pay the one-half value of the homestead, the sale is considered canceled and the property will be advertised for re-sale within 30 days as provided for in F.S. 197.542(2). If, at the subsequent sale, there are no bidders and the certificate holder refuses to pay the monies to cover the homestead, the clerk will place the property on the Lands Available List where it will be available for purchase after 90 days.
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| Where can I get more information about tax deed research? |
All of the procedures followed for Tax Deed Sales are governed by the Florida Statutes Chapter 197 and the Florida Administrative Code 12D-13. You can also get more information from the following offices: Tax Deed Sales Department
800 E Twiggs St Room 103
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 276-8100 Ext. 4768 Property Appraiser's Office
County Center, 16th Floor
601 E. Kennedy Blvd
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 272-6100 Tax Collector's Office
Delinquent Tax Department
(813) 635-5200
Clerk of Circuit Court Recording Department
419 Pierce St Room 140
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 276-8100 Ext. 4367
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