Unpaid property taxes don't go away. Depending on the state, the county adds penalties and interest, sells a tax lien or tax certificate to an investor, or eventually forecloses and sells the house itself — sometimes for far less than it's worth.
Before that point, you can sell the house like any other. The back taxes are simply paid out of the sale at closing, and whatever is left after the taxes and any mortgage is yours. For an owner who can't catch up, a sale ahead of the county's process usually keeps far more equity than waiting for it.
Your options
Get on a payment plan
Many county treasurers and tax collectors offer installment plans, and some have hardship or senior programs. Call the office on your tax bill and ask — before a sale is scheduled.
Refinance or borrow against the house
If you have income and equity, a loan can pay the taxes in one lump. Lenders will want the delinquency cleared at closing.
Sell and pay the taxes at closing
The title company pays the county from the sale proceeds. A cash buyer is useful when the house needs work or a county deadline is close.
How tax delinquency escalates
- Penalties and interest start as soon as an installment is late, and they compound — the longer it sits, the bigger the payoff.
- Some states sell tax liens or certificates to investors, who then collect interest and can eventually foreclose or apply for a tax deed.
- Other states have the county itself sue to foreclose, and the sheriff or treasurer sells the house at a tax sale.
- After a tax sale, some states allow a redemption period to pay everything back; it's often short, and it's not something to count on.
What to have ready
- Your most recent tax bill or delinquency notice
- Any notice of a tax sale or tax foreclosure suit
- Your mortgage statement, if there's still a loan
- The amount the county says is due today
Don't have all of it? Send the form anyway — buyers can work with what you have.
How it works
One form instead of a dozen phone calls with buyers.
Tell us about the house
One short form: the address, its condition, your timeline and your situation. No photos, no showings, no appraisal.
Local cash buyers compete
We share the house — not your contact details — with local investors who buy in your area, and they put their best offers forward.
We match you with the right one
We look past the headline price at the closing date, the conditions and the buyer's record, introduce you to the best fit, and you decide.
Questions sellers ask
Can I sell a house with back taxes owed?
Yes. The back taxes, penalties and interest are paid to the county out of the sale at closing, the same way a mortgage is paid off. The buyer gets clear title and you keep what's left.
What happens if my house goes to a tax sale?
It depends on the state. In some, an investor buys the tax debt and you have a set time to redeem it with interest; in others the house itself is sold. Either way, it's usually far better to sell or catch up before the sale.
Will a cash buyer pay the taxes for me?
The taxes are paid from the purchase price at closing, so effectively yes — they come out of the proceeds before you're paid. The offer you compare is the amount you walk away with after that.
Does the county tell me before it sells my house?
Counties must send notices and usually publish the list in a newspaper before a tax sale, but mail goes to the address on file. If you've moved or the bill is in a late relative's name, you may not see it — check with the county directly.
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules differ by state and county — talk to a local attorney about your situation.