What Happens If I Don't Pay Property Taxes in Florida?

In Florida, unpaid property taxes don't immediately result in the loss of your property. Instead, there is a multi-step process that gives homeowners several opportunities to resolve their tax debt before a tax deed sale occurs. The tax collector will initially sell the tax lien in a tax lien sale. Then, if you don't pay off the lien, the collector can sell the tax-delinquent property in a tax deed sale. Fortunately, the process will take some time, and along the way, you'll get several notices and opportunities to get current on the debt.

While the threat of a property tax sale can be scary for Florida homeowners, understanding how the process works and your options can help you protect your home and your equity. Throughout the tax sale process, each stage offers a chance to pay off your taxes to avoid losing your home. And, even after a sale happens, you might be able to get it back by quickly paying off the delinquent taxes, plus interest, costs, and perhaps other charges.

What Is a Tax Lien and How Does It Affect Me?

People who own real property have to pay property taxes. The government uses the money that these taxes generate to pay for schools, public services, libraries, roads, parks, and the like. Typically, the tax amount is based on a property's assessed value.

If you have a mortgage on your home, the loan servicer might collect money from you as part of the monthly mortgage payment to later pay the property taxes. The servicer pays the taxes on the homeowner's behalf through an escrow account. But if the taxes aren't collected and paid through this kind of account, the homeowner must pay them directly.

When homeowners don't pay their property taxes, the overdue amount becomes a lien on the property. A lien effectively makes the property act as collateral for the debt. All states have laws that allow the local government to sell a home through a tax sale process to collect delinquent taxes. So, if your property taxes are delinquent, you could eventually lose your home to a tax sale or tax foreclosure process.

What Are the Legal Consequences of Not Paying Property Taxes?

Once there is a tax lien on a property, state law establishes how property tax sales or tax foreclosures work. Typically, if a property owner is behind on their property taxes, the government will take the property and liquidate it, sell the property, or sell the tax lien, using the funds to pay off the tax bill. (Usually, the purchaser of the lien can later initiate a sale process if the taxes aren't paid.) But the exact process depends on state law.

State law defines when a property becomes subject to a tax lien, the process for selling the lien or the property at public auction (or otherwise liquidating the property to cover an unpaid tax debt), and the requirements for transferring ownership if taxes remain unpaid. State law also sets redemption periods, notice requirements, and the rights of property owners to receive any surplus funds from the sale, as decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in Tyler v. Hennepin County, 598 U.S. 631 (2023). The Tyler decision prohibits taxing authorities from keeping excess sale proceeds without providing the former owner an opportunity to recover those funds.

Local rules and county procedures govern how a tax sale or foreclosure is actually conducted. These rules sometimes establish additional requirements for the sale process, such as how and where bids are accepted, what documentation is required, and how proceeds are distributed after the sale.

When Are Property Taxes Due in Florida?

Taxes are due and payable on November 1 of each year or as soon after that as the tax collector receives the certified tax roll. Taxes are delinquent on the later of April 1 following the year in which they're assessed or 60 days after the mailing of the original tax notice, whichever is later. (Fla. Stat. § 197.333 (2025).)

What Are the Penalties and Interest for Delinquent Property Taxes in Florida?

Again, taxes become delinquent on April 1st of the year following the assessment year. Interest is charged at a rate of 18% per year with minimum charge of 3%. (Fla. Stat. § 197.172 (2025).) On April 1st, a 3% penalty is added to unpaid accounts.

What Are the Legal Consequences of Not Paying Property Taxes in Florida?

Again, if you don't pay your property taxes in Florida, the delinquent amount becomes a lien on your home. (Fla. Stat. § 197.122 (2025).) Once there's a tax lien on your home, the tax collector may sell that lien at an auction. This auction is called a "tax lien sale." Then, if you don't pay off the lien, the tax collector may eventually sell the home at what is called a "tax deed sale."

How Do Florida Tax Lien Sales Work?

In Florida, real estate taxes become delinquent on April 1 of each year. The tax collector must send you a notice by mail or electronically (if you've agreed to receive notice this way) by April 30 if your payment hasn't been received. The notice will include a description of the property and a statement that a tax certificate may be sold if the taxes aren't paid. (Fla. Stat. § 197.343 (2025).)

If the taxes remain unpaid up until May, the property is at risk of having a tax certificate issued. Within 45 days after the personal property taxes become delinquent, the tax collector must advertise the list of delinquent properties in a local newspaper once a week for three consecutive weeks prior to the tax certificate sale. (Fla. Stat. § 197.402 (2025).)

Online Tax Lien Sales in Florida

Tax lien sales in Florida are often by auction over the internet.

Tax Lien Certificates in Florida

After the sale, the person who bought the lien receives a certificate (sometimes called a "tax lien certificate") and, along with it, the right to collect the tax debt from you, plus interest.

How Much Does a Tax Lien Certificate Cost?

The winning bidder at the tax lien sale will be the person who pays the taxes, interest, and costs and charges the lowest interest rate on the debt, not in excess of the maximum rate of interest allowed by law. (Fla. Stat. § 197.432 (2025).)

When the County Gets the Certificate

But if you owe less than $250 in delinquent taxes and your home has been granted a homestead exemption, the lien can't be sold at a public auction. Instead, the tax collector will issue the certificate to the county. (Fla. Stat. § 197.432 (2025).)

How Do Florida Tax Deed Sales Work?

Under Florida law, two years after April 1 of the year that the collector issues the certificate, but no later than seven years, the purchaser who bought the lien can apply for a tax deed from the tax collector. (Fla. Stat. §§ 197.502, 197.482 (2025).) This application initiates the tax deed sale process.

Notice of a Florida Tax Deed Sale

At least 20 days before the tax deed sale, the collector must send you a notice by certified mail. Also, the county sheriff must personally serve you, the legal titleholder, notice 20 days before the sale or post the notice in a conspicuous place on the property if personal service isn't possible. (Fla. Stat. § 197.522 (2025).)

Notice must also be published in a newspaper or, if no newspaper is available, posted publicly. (Fla. Stat. § 197.512 (2025).)

Tax Deed Sale Procedures in Florida

The clerk of the circuit court conducts the tax deed sale, which is also a public auction, to sell the property to the highest bidder. The tax certificate holder (the person who bought the lien) will likely bid the amount of the debt owed to that person rather than cash. So, if no one else bids on the property, the tax certificate holder gets the home. (Fla. Stat. § 197.542 (2025).)

Can I Redeem the Property in Florida?

In most states, delinquent taxpayers get some time during which they can "redeem" the home after a tax sale by paying the buyer the amount paid at the sale or paying the taxes owed, plus interest, penalties, and costs. In some states, like Florida, the redemption period occurs before a tax deed sale. And you'll have a short amount of time after the tax deed sale to redeem.

But if you don't redeem, the purchaser can get title to the home free and clear of any liens that existed before the sale.

Redemption Period Happens Before a Florida Tax Deed Sale

Under Florida law, you get at least two years after the tax lien sale to redeem the property before it's sold at a tax deed sale. That's because the lien purchaser must wait two years from April 1 of the year that the tax certificate is issued before submitting an application for a tax deed to the tax collector. (Fla. Stat. § 197.502) (2025).) The application triggers a tax deed sale.

And if seven years pass after the date of the tax certificate's issuance, but the purchaser doesn't submit an application for a tax deed, and no other administrative or legal proceeding, including a bankruptcy, is on record, the tax certificate expires and becomes null and void. (Fla. Stat. § 197.482 (2025).)

Can I Get My Home Back After a Tax Sale in Florida?

So long as the purchaser applies for a tax deed before the certificate expires, the clerk of the circuit court will hold a tax deed sale. The home is sold at a public auction to the highest bidder. (Fla. Stat. § 197.502 (2025).)

You can redeem after a tax sale, but you'll have to act fast. You can redeem up until:

• the court clerk receives full payment for the tax deed, or
• the county clerk issues the tax deed. (Fla. Stat. § 197.472, § 197.552 (2025).)

If you plan on redeeming the property, it's a good idea to pay off the tax debt well before the sale happens.

How Much You'll Have to Pay to Redeem Your Florida Home

To redeem the property, you'll have to pay the face amount of the tax certificate, along with interest and costs. (Fla. Stat. § 197.472 (2025).)

You might also have to pay a mandatory minimum charge of 5% if the lien purchaser bid less than 5% interest on the debt when buying the lien. But if the purchaser bid an interest rate of 0% when buying the lien, then you don't have to pay this charge. (Fla. Stat. § 197.472 (2025).)

What Are the Payment Plans and Tax Relief Options in Florida?

Even though you'll get some time to redeem your Florida home before losing it to a tax deed sale, in most cases, it's better to take action earlier to try to make your taxes more affordable. For instance, before you fall behind in your taxes, you could:

• look into whether you meet the criteria for a property tax abatement, or
• challenge the taxable value of your home if you think it's incorrect.

Or you might qualify for an exemption. Florida offers a homestead exemption that reduces the taxable value of a primary residence by up to $50,000. Additional exemptions are available for seniors, veterans, disabled persons, and other special categories. Some counties offer tax deferral programs for certain qualifying taxpayers. For example, the homestead tax deferral program allows homeowners who are entitled to claim homestead exemption to delay payment of taxes and non-ad valorem assessments. (Fla. Stat. § 197.252 (2025).)

These programs can help make property taxes more affordable.

How Can I Avoid Property Tax Problems in Florida?

To avoid property tax problems in Florida, you need to keep track of when your payments are due. One of the simplest steps is to set reminders for key tax deadlines. Setting calendar alerts or signing up for email notifications from your county tax collector can help ensure you don't miss a deadline. Florida offers some discounts if you pay your property taxes early.

Remember, if your loan is escrowed, your lender is responsible for making the payments. Even if your lender doesn't require an escrow account, you might be able to choose to have one. Homeowners with mortgages often find it easier to have their taxes (and homeowners' insurance) bundled into monthly payments, with the lender handling the bills directly. This arrangement can prevent missed payments and the resulting penalties. If you don't have an escrow account, you might want to ask your lender about setting one up.

How Does Tax Delinquency Affect My Credit Score?

As of 2018, property tax liens no longer get reported to the three major consumer credit bureaus. So, delinquent property taxes don't directly lower your credit scores. However, property tax liens are still in the public records, and they can affect you in other ways. A lender might find a tax lien during manual underwriting or a public records search. This can make it harder to get a new loan or refinance your home. For example, if you apply for a home equity loan and your property is subject to delinquent taxes, that lender will probably deny your application.

Florida Property Tax FAQs

The following FAQs answer common questions about property taxes in Florida.

Can I request an extension to pay my property taxes in Florida?

Florida law doesn't generally allow for extensions on real property tax payments. Property taxes are delinquent on April 1 (or 60 days after the mailing of the original tax notice). There's no formal process to request extra time to pay real property taxes.

However, you might be able to pay in an installment plan by filing an application with the tax collector on or before April 30 of the year in which you want to prepay the taxes. (Fla. Stat. § 197.222 (2025).) For example, in Pinellas County, the installment payment plan application period for 2025 property taxes closed on April 30, 2025. The 2026 application period opens on November 1, 2025, and runs through April 30, 2026. Also, a partial payment plan might be available if your taxes aren't delinquent.

Can unpaid taxes lead to wage garnishment or asset seizure?

Unpaid property taxes in Florida generally lead to a tax lien on the property, which can lead to the loss of your home through the tax sale process. Wage garnishment and direct seizure of other assets (such as bank accounts) aren't typical enforcement methods for delinquent real property taxes in Florida.

I'm a disabled veteran. Can I get a property tax exemption?

Florida has property tax exemptions and discounts for active duty military servicemembers and veterans. To learn more, review this Property Tax Benefits for Active Duty Military and Veterans brochure or contact the tax collector's office. Tax relief if also available to persons who are 65 or older and on a limited income.

Learn More About Florida Property Taxes

The Florida Department of Revenue website offers information about the state's property tax system, including FAQs.

If you're already facing a property tax lien sale or tax deed sale in Florida and have questions or need help redeeming your property, consider talking to a foreclosure lawyer, tax lawyer, or real estate lawyer.