Behind on property taxes in Tampa? Sell before a tax deed sale.
A local Florida buyer for houses with back taxes in Tampa. Two minutes to request an offer, and you choose the closing date.
- Written cash offer within 24 hours
- No obligation to accept
- You pick the closing date
Can I sell a house with back taxes in Tampa?
Yes. Back taxes are paid from the sale proceeds at closing, which redeems any tax certificate and stops a tax deed. In Florida you can redeem up until the tax deed is issued, so selling early protects your equity.
In Tampa, that means working with the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court's records and a Florida title company we close with regularly.
How tax lien works in Hillsborough County
The steps below follow Florida statutes and the offices that handle them in Hillsborough County, which includes Tampa.
Taxes due
Florida property taxes are mailed in November and become delinquent if unpaid by April 1.
Tax certificate sale
The Hillsborough County Tax Collector sells a tax certificate on the unpaid taxes by June 1. The buyer earns interest; you still own the home.
Two-year clock
Two years after April 1 of the year the certificate was issued, the holder can apply for a tax deed (s. 197.502).
Tax deed auction
The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court schedules a public auction. For homestead property the opening bid includes half of the assessed value.
Redemption
You can redeem by paying the full amount owed any time before the tax deed is issued.
What's different about Tampa
Tampa's older bungalows and block homes range from Seminole Heights to flood-prone South Tampa. Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024 left flood and wind damage across Hillsborough County, from South Tampa to inland neighborhoods along the Alafia River.
We buy houses with back taxes in Seminole Heights, Ybor City, West Tampa, Sulphur Springs, East Tampa, Town 'n' Country and South Tampa, and anywhere else in Tampa, plus nearby Brandon and Sun City Center.
See also: Delinquent Taxes & Tax Liens across Hillsborough County
| County | Hillsborough County, Tampa Bay |
|---|---|
| County seat | Tampa |
| Court for tax lien cases | Hillsborough County Circuit Court (13th Judicial Circuit) |
| Official records & court sales | Hillsborough County Clerk of Court |
| Property taxes | Hillsborough County Tax Collector |
| Where we buy | Seminole Heights, Ybor City, West Tampa, Sulphur Springs, East Tampa, Town 'n' Country, South Tampa · nearby Brandon, Sun City Center |
Options for Tampa homeowners
You have more than one way out. Tampa homeowners in this spot usually weigh pay in full, installment plan, refinance and sell for cash. We'll tell you honestly if another option fits better.
Compare every option in the Florida guide →- Several years of taxes are unpaid
- A tax certificate was sold on the property
- You received a tax deed application notice
- The house needs work you can't afford
Three steps. Your schedule.
Selling to us takes three steps, and you control the timing of every one.
Tell us about the house
Share the address and a few details online or by phone. It takes about two minutes and costs nothing.
Get a written cash offer
We review the property and recent nearby sales and send a no-obligation cash offer, usually within 24 hours.
Pick your closing date
Close in as little as 7 days through a Florida title company, or pick a later date. We cover normal closing costs.
What Tampa homeowners ask about tax lien
Do I lose my homestead exemption if I'm behind?
Not automatically, but a tax deed sale ends your ownership. Selling first lets you keep your equity.
What happens to surplus after a tax deed sale?
If the auction brings more than what's owed, the surplus goes to lienholders and then the former owner, who must claim it from the Clerk.
Who runs tax certificate and tax deed sales in Hillsborough County?
The Hillsborough County Tax Collector sells tax certificates each spring. Tax deed auctions are run by the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court.
Do you buy houses in Tampa?
Yes. We buy in Seminole Heights, Ybor City, West Tampa and Sulphur Springs and every other part of Tampa, as well as the rest of Hillsborough County. Submit the address and we'll confirm within a day.
How fast can you close in Tampa?
As little as 7 days after you accept, using a Florida title company. If you need more time, we'll set the date that works for you.
Related help
Other situations in Tampa
Delinquent Taxes & Tax Liens help nearby
Get your no-obligation cash offer on your Tampa property.
Two minutes to submit, a written offer within 24 hours, and the closing date you choose. Nothing to fix, nothing to list.