Tax Certificate Public Auction Sale Information

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Seminole County holds an annual delinquent property tax certificate sale on or before June 1st of each year.

Priority tax liens in the form of tax certificates are
created on each County real property with delinquent taxes.
Those tax liens not otherwise protected from sale by Florida law are offered for investor purchase under certain terms at public auction.

Historically, there are approximately 6,000 to 9,000 Seminole County parcels that become delinquent in the timely payment of property taxes annually.

Information from the Tax Collector on Delinquent Parcels:

For your convenience, there are two methods you can use to obtain property tax information, both of which are available on any day of the week and at any time:

1. Visit our Tax Search feature located on this Website.
2. Seminole "TaxTalk" may be accessed by phone by dialing 407-665-TAXES (407-665-8293). You will need to know and enter the 17 digit Seminole County parcel identification number.

Advertisement of Delinquent Parcels:

• The newspaper advertisement of the delinquent property tax roll, as prescribed by Florida Statute 197.402, provides a list of the delinquent properties and taxes due in parcel number sequence. The 2008 list will be published May 4, May 11 and May 18, 2008.
• The list of delinquent property tax parcels is also posted on-line at www.seminoletaxsale.com.

To Participate:

• Pre-register on-line at www.seminoletaxsale.com, or at the Sanford Office of the Tax Collector, beginning May 4, 2008.
• At the time of registration, place a 10% deposit of all intended purchases.
• Complete an IRS W-9 form.
  

When it Takes Place:

The annual public auction tax certificate sale will be conducted on May 30, 2008, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Detail information pertaining to the sale is included in:

• The newspaper advertisement of the delinquent property tax roll, as prescribed by Florida Statute 197.402, provides a list of the delinquent properties and taxes due in parcel number sequence.
• The list of delinquent property tax parcels is also posted on-line at www.seminoletaxsale.com.

What to Expect:

• A tax certificate will be awarded to the successful public auction bidder offering to pay the delinquent taxes and associated costs on the parcel for the lowest interest rate.
  

Payment Information:

Payment for certificates purchased at the public auction sale must be by:

• ACH payment wizard on the auction Website.
• Cash or cashier’s check at the Sanford, Florida office of the Seminole County Tax Collector.
• Wire Transfer (mandatory for all deposits of $500,000 or more).
  

County Held Certificates:

Contact the Seminole County Tax Collector Delinquent Tax Department directly at 407-665-7641 if you are interested in purchasing County-held certificates, should any be available. Purchase of County tax certificates, when available, must have payment in certified funds.

For More Detailed Information:

The governing procedures of annual County tax certificate sales are found in Florida Statute 197.432. Referencing this statute, and utilizing information in the Florida Department of Revenue Property Tax Rules and Regulations 12D-13.045, should answer all your questions.