Tax Sale Redemption Period by State (2026)
Authored by Carson Nordmann, Founder of Keystone Court Data. See our editorial standards.
When a county sells a property for unpaid taxes, many states give the owner a set time to pay the back taxes and keep it. Pick a state and the sale date to see when that window closes.
Tax Sale Redemption Calculator
Pick a state and the tax sale date. See how long the owner has to pay the back taxes and keep the property, counted from that date, with the statute behind every number. 39 states are checked against their own statute text.
General information from each state's statute, checked October 2026. Counties can add steps, periods can be extended, and the law can change. Not legal advice; confirm deadlines for a specific property with the county or an attorney.
How tax sale redemption works
States handle unpaid property taxes in one of a few ways. In a tax lien state, the county sells a certificate for the debt; the owner keeps the property and can pay off the certificate holder, with interest, until the redemption period runs out. In a tax deed state, the county sells the property itself; some states still give the owner time to buy it back afterward, and some give none. Other states go through a court tax foreclosure, where the owner can usually pay until the court confirms the sale.
The redemption period is what sets the timing for everyone else: the owner, family members handling an estate, and buyers waiting to take title. The calculator shows only periods we checked against each state's own statute, and links the section so you can read it yourself.
Related
- What is a tax sale, and how does redemption work?
- Tax sale leads guide
- Foreclosure timeline calculator, every state
- Court filings glossary
This page provides general reference information and is not legal advice. Tax sale procedure varies by state and county and changes over time. Confirm deadlines for a specific property with the county or an attorney.