Where to purchase tax lien certificate

Tax liens typically have an expiration date, so lienholder rights to interest and penalties don't last indefinitely. National Tax Lien Association. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights.

Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. The Balance Taxes. Table of Contents Expand. Table of Contents. Definition and Examples of Tax Lien Certificates. How Tax Lien Certificates Work. Benefits and Risks of Tax Lien Certificates. By Rebecca Lake. Eastern Time on the day following the Tax Sale.

Other methods of payment will not be accepted for winning bids. Approximately six months after date of sale, the Collector will deliver to the purchaser a certificate of sale. The certificate sets forth the fact that the property described therein was sold by the collector to the purchaser, the date of sale, the amount bid, the advertised amount, a description of the property in substantially the same form as the description appearing on the collector's tax roll, the rate of redemption, when an action to foreclose the right of redemption may be instituted, and that the certificate will be void unless foreclosure proceedings are brought within two 2 years from the date of sale.

The certificate of sale may be recorded among the land records of the County. Prior to any action by the purchaser to foreclosure, the owner or other person, may exercise the right of redemption by paying to the Collector of Taxes the amount required for redemption.

No redemptions will be allowed on day of sale or on the day following the sale. Payments must be made by certified check, money order or cash. Personal checks and credit card payments will not be accepted. If the property is redeemed after an action to foreclose and there is any dispute, the person redeeming may apply to the court to fix the amount necessary for redemption.

The holder of a certificate of sale may at any time after six months from the date of sale, file a complaint in Circuit Court to foreclose all rights of redemption of the property to which such certificate relates provided that all notice requirements have been met. At the expiration of the time limited in the order of publication and summons, the court shall enter judgment foreclosing the right of redemption in the proceedings.

It may be determined after the Tax Sale, which some event has occurred which invalidates the sale. Tax Sale Redemption. The tax sale is held on a date in June as determined by the Controller.

On this date the County will sell its 1 st lien on the property to a tax sale purchaser. To redeem the property a person must pay the County:. To obtain the balance due for redemption please contact the Tax Sale Department at There are several important dates to consider in the tax sale process:. Tax sale redemptions can be processed via mail by sending your payment in full to:.

The payment to the County must be by cash, certified check or money order. If you have any additional questions regarding tax sale please call Tax sale is a process the local government uses to try to collect money if you are behind on your property taxes. Some counties also use tax sale if you are behind on water bills or have other liens on your house.

A lien is a debt that is attached to your property, like a mortgage. At the auction, the county can sell the lien against your house to an investor who bids on it. If the county is going to sell your tax lien, they have to send you a notice and publish this information in the newspaper before the tax sale.

The investor can collect fees related to the tax sale and can charge you interest. The longer you wait to pay, the more expensive it will be to keep the house because of the interest and fees.

In Baltimore City you have at least 9 months to redeem your property. This court process asks the court to officially make the investor the owner of the property. If the court gives the investor the right to the house, the investor must then record a new deed to officially become the owner of the property. Beginning of second week in May — acceptance of tax sale bids.

Automatic bank debit of winning bids. End of second week in May — assignment sale of liens not purchased at tax sale. Purchased at lien value and automatic bank debit of purchasers. End of third week in May — first day to redeem tax lien certificates for tax sale properties. The notice lists all of the delinquent City taxes and charges due through the last day of February.

If the amounts that are due remain unpaid, then additional penalty or interest charges may continue to accrue for each unpaid item. Once a successful bidder has paid to the City all of the taxes and charges listed in the tax sale for a property, the property owner may only redeem their property by reimbursing the bidder. The sooner a property is redeemed, the lower the additional charges imposed by the bidder will be.

The successful bidder may file a lawsuit to foreclose the right of redemption nine months after the tax sale on owner occupied properties. Fees and most costs are defined by State law and are owed to bidder, not to the City.

The City has no power to waive or to reduce the fees and costs set by State law. It is important to note that the earlier a property is redeemed, the smaller the amount to redeem will be. Delay causes the costs to increase significantly. Tax Sale Coordination and Prevention Services. Tax Sale Coordination and Prevention Services assists homeowners in avoiding tax sale and in understanding and navigating the tax sale process.

The Tax Sale will take place on May These liens include but are not limited to unpaid real property taxes, special benefits assessments, alley and footway paving bills, streetscape, minor privilege, multi-family dwelling, clean and board, environmental control, and residential registration charges and fees.

Homeowners who are behind in property taxes or other bills, who have received notices from the Department of Finance, the Environmental Control Board, or the Department of Health, or who otherwise believe they are at risk of tax sale, may receive free legal consultation and assistance by attending a tax sale clinic. Four clinics are held in March and April each year at different times in different city locations. To register or learn more, please call the ProBono Resource Center at Homeowners can also reduce their risk of entering tax sale by using state and city tax credits and other resources that lower household expenses.

The State of Maryland sets a limit on the amount of property tax a homeowner must pay based on their total gross household income. If the homeowner is paying more than the set limit, the property tax is reduced accordingly. For the first time, in homeowners were able to apply for this credit on-line. Homeowners must apply every year for this credit, and the deadline to apply is September 1. Maryland Homestead Tax Credit.

Every Maryland homeowner who owns and lives in their home is eligible for this credit. A homeowner has to successfully apply only once for this credit; it is thereafter applied every year. There is no deadline for this application. Department of Public Works Discount Programs. To inquire about the latest water bill discount programs, to be screened for additional benefits, and to find the office closest to you, please visit or call:.

To learn more about the tax sale process, avoiding tax sale, or to schedule a community-based information session, please contact Michael O'Leary, Tax Sale Services Coordinator:. The City's Finance Department and its Bureau of Revenue Collections want to assist the public by providing information about the tax sale, where to obtain help if your property is eligible for tax sale or in tax sale, and how to keep your property out of tax sale.

For specific questions, please call us at or e-mail us at BaltimoreCityCollections BaltimoreCity. The City of Baltimore holds an annual tax lien certificate sale. The tax sale is used to collect delinquent real property taxes and other unpaid charges owed to the City, all of which are liens against the real property.

It is a public, online auction of City lien interests on properties. The highest bidder in the auction pays the total amount of the property liens to the City and receives a tax sale certificate from the City which gives the bidder the right to obtain ownership of the property by filing a tax sale foreclosure lawsuit. The owner of the property can prevent the highest bidder from obtaining ownership by "redeeming" the property.

The Menu on the left lists various issues related to the tax sale process. Clicking on any of the issues will provide additional and valuable information about City tax sale resources.

The list below provides links to other tax sale resources available from private groups and State government. A tax lien sale does not mean that someone has purchased a property at this time. Redemption repayment of their city obligations and clearing the title to their property can begin as early as May 26, , and continue until such time that a Circuit Court judge signs a decree foreclosing the right of redemption. Redemption involves the owner or an interested party, such as a mortgage holder, reimbursing the tax lien holder an amount of interest and other fees and costs.

Once the tax lien holder has paid to the City all of the taxes and charges listed in the tax sale for a property, the property owner may only redeem their property by reimbursing the lien holder. The sooner a property is redeemed, the lower the additional charges imposed by the lien holder will be. Fees and most costs are defined by State law and are owed to the tax lien holder, not to the City. The earlier a property is redeemed, the smaller the amount to redeem will be.

The following information applies to owner occupied properties:. A Tax Lien Certificate Holder has no right to possession of the property until a deed is acquired through a court process. The amount owed to the tax lien certificate holder is available online at BaltimoreCity. A property owner who is prepared to redeem i.

A written statement that the payment has been applied to pay their tax sale lien should be requested. Other steps that they can take:. Apply for the Homestead Tax Credit. For more information and assistance in applying for these programs contact:. Those 55 or older may contact Maryland Access Point at Other housing counseling and legal services agencies that can assist:.

Neighborhood Housing Services: ext. Also includes documentation of redemption data and owner-occupied status.

Baltimore County properties with unpaid real property taxes, accrued interest or penalties may be auctioned at the County's annual tax sale.

The sale occurs in June each year. The notice of advertisement will be published once per week for four successive weeks prior to tax sale. The advertisements are updated weekly. Baltimore County advertises in the Jeffersonian newspaper. Review all web pages in the Tax Sale section before registering. Real property tax bills are issued on July 1 each year. Failure to pay in full or, if eligible, failure to make the first semiannual payment by September 30, will result in the account being considered delinquent.

Interest will accrue until the taxes are paid in full. Unpaid balances due past December 31 are subject to accrued interest, penalties and tax sale. On March 1, a Final Tax Sale Notice is mailed, allowing the property owner 30 days to pay the property taxes and accrued interest and penalties.

If the owner fails to respond to this notice, the property may be sold at the annual tax sale. Baltimore County posts properties to be sold on its website around the first of May. If a property is sold for taxes, the owner has six months from the date of the sale to redeem the property or a foreclosure action for nonpayment of taxes can be filed in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County.

There are tax sale penalties in addition to the monthly interest charged on delinquent accounts. An itemized cash receipt showing for each lien purchased: the sale amount, the total bid, the bid premium and the amount paid.

The certificate of tax sale is mailed six months after sale if owner has not redeemed their property. Liens that are not sold at auction become the property of Baltimore County. To learn more about the tax sale call Revised October 8, Public Notice and Legal Authority.

Edward P. Each of the said improved or unimproved lots of property, together with the improvements thereon, will be sold at public auction to the highest bidder on:. The Collector will cause this public notice to be published, once a week for four successive weeks, in one or more local newspapers having a general circulation in Baltimore County. When the herein described properties are sold at the tax sale, and said properties are subject to a ground rent or lease for a term of 99 years renewable forever, the Collector shall sell the leasehold interest only, with the improvements erected on the leasehold interest, if any; provided, however, that any property sold, subject to a ground rent or lease, to a bona fide purchaser for value or the government of the jurisdiction conducting the sale, upon foreclosure of the rights of redemption, is not subject to any claim for rent unpaid, due, or accruing prior to the date of the judgment of foreclosure.

Failure of the Collector to include any taxes in this published notice of sale does not affect the validity or collectability of the taxes, except as otherwise required and provided in Section of the Tax-Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, or the validity of any sale made hereunder to enforce the payment of taxes, nor prevent nor stay such proceedings nor affect the title of any purchaser.

More detailed descriptions are on file in the Transfer Office of the Department of Assessments and Taxation of Baltimore County, Hampton Plaza, East Joppa Road, Suite , Towson, Maryland, and identifying account numbers are shown in this notice for reference thereto.

Section of the Baltimore County Code, as amended, provides for interest at the rate of 12 percent per annum for redemption of property sold at the tax sale. There may be tax liens pertaining to properties sold for which taxes were paid prior to the sale date or other circumstances which render the sale invalid or void.

In the event the County determines that a tax sale is invalid or void the County will, as the exclusive remedy available to the purchaser, reimburse the purchaser the tax sale purchase price paid, without interest, or any applicable high bid premium paid, without interest.

The County is not liable for and will not pay the bidder-purchaser any interest, costs, expenses or attorney fees associated with the invalid or void sale. Registration begins on or about May 1, , and the deadline for registration is May 10, , at p. If you fail to register online by May 10, , at p. There is no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding any property sold including, but not limited to, that a property has a marketable title or that it contains the area of land which it is said to contain; therefore, the purchaser assumes all risks in that regard.

The County does not warrant the accuracy of the information contained herein. Revised October 16, All tax sale bidders and their representatives are subject to the following terms of sale.

Registration begins on or about May 1, and the deadline for registration is May 10, at p. If you fail to register online by May 10, at p. No other form of registration including, but not limited to, registration by mail, email, or telephone will be accepted. Payment in United States dollars is required. The registration fee is nonrefundable unless a potential registrant is denied registration for and participation in the tax sale.

The registration fee shall not be applied to any bids submitted. If any information is incorrect, or changes, the registrant shall immediately revise the bidder registration information at the tax sale website; however, if after p.

Any and all registrants that are entities not an individual shall register with the Collector in their legal entity name that is registered with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation and such entities must be in good standing and qualified to conduct business as a domestic or foreign entity in the State of Maryland. After a registrant completes the Bidder Registration Form, the information provided therein shall be reviewed by the Collector including, but not limited to, verification of good standing for each entity, proper remittance of registration fee, and various other registrant information.

Each registrant acknowledges, understands and agrees that the registration review and processing period will take up to 72 hours.

Further, the County and the Collector may request additional information from a registrant if and as needed, in the sole discretion of the County and the Collector, and the County and the Collector reserve the right to reject any registrant.

The County will use reasonable efforts to protect all registration information. Each registrant shall enter a valid bank account from which its purchases will be debited. Bids may only be submitted in the name of the registrant, and successful bids will be awarded in the name of the registrant. All registrants are required to provide and maintain a budget to cover the cost of their anticipated purchases.

Taxes as well as high bid premiums will be applied against this budget. The tax sale shall be conducted in accordance with, pursuant to, under and by virtue of the several Acts of the General Assembly of Maryland, the Tax-Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Maryland Rules of the Annotated Code of Maryland, and the Baltimore County Code, each and all of which is now in force relative to the collection of taxes.

In accordance with the Tax-Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland including, but not limited to, Section thereof, the tax sale shall be conducted "on terms set by the Collector" as stated herein and the Tax Sale Internet Procedures.

All bids shall be submitted using the Baltimore County Tax Sale email address, taxsale baltimorecountymd. Bids may be submitted on Friday, June 7, beginning at 9 a. Bids received with a time stamp prior to 9 a. Individual property listings will be provided to all registrants on Wednesday, June 5, in the form of formatted spreadsheets.

One spreadsheet is used for bids using a dollar value. The second spreadsheet is to be used for bids using the form of a bid factor a percentage of assessed value. Only one spreadsheet can be submitted for bids. Bids submitted on June 7, will be awarded on June 7, Certificates of Tax Sale shall be awarded to the bidder who makes the highest good faith bid. The Collector may refuse to accept bids that are not made in good faith.

In the case where the bids are identical for the same property or properties, the winning bid will be awarded to the bidder with the first submission of the bid. The Collector reserves the right to offer certain properties as a group during any and all tax sales. When any property is sold at the tax sale, and said property is subject to a ground rent or lease for a term of 99 years renewable forever, the Collector shall sell the leasehold interest only, with the improvements erected on the leasehold interest, if any; provided, however, that any property sold, subject to a ground rent or lease, to a bona fide purchaser for value or the government of the jurisdiction conducting the sale, upon foreclosure of the rights of redemption, is not subject to any claim for rent unpaid, due, or accruing prior to the date of the judgment of foreclosure.

If there are no bidders or if no bid is accepted by the Collector for any property, the property may be sold to Baltimore County. Each purchaser is legally and financially responsible for the bids submitted by it or its representative. All purchasers will be notified at the conclusion of the tax sale by receiving individual itemized invoices with the amount due.

For the tax sale occurring on June 7, , all purchasers must pay the County, by ACH debit not later than p. Purchasers must ensure the funds in U. Purchasers at any County tax sale held after June 7, shall remit payment on the day the tax sale is continued, in the amounts described above. In addition to the amount required under Paragraph 10, each successful bidder whose bid exceeds 40 percent of the assessed value of the property sold as reflected in the assessment records maintained by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation , must remit payment to the Collector on the day of the applicable tax sale, of a high-bid premium equal to 20 percent of the amount by which the successful bid exceeds 40 percent of the assessed value of the property sold.

In cases where properties are offered by the Collector as a group, a high bid premium equal to 20 percent of the amount by which the successful bid exceeds 40 percent of the aggregate assessed value of the properties offered will be charged. For property assessed under an agricultural use assessment the high bid premium shall be 20 percent of the amount by which the successful bid exceeds the appropriate value determined by the Collector.

The balance of the purchase price will remain on credit and must be paid, together with taxes, interest, penalties, expenses and charges, which accrue from the date of the sale through the date of Judgment, as required in Section d of the Tax-Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The purchaser agrees to remit no later than ninety 90 days after the date of Judgment-Order Foreclosing Rights of Redemption the balance of the purchase price or surplus purchase price along with taxes, interest, penalties, expenses and charges, which have accrued from the date of the applicable tax sale.

The Collector will refund the high bid premium, without interest, to a the holder of a tax sale certificate upon timely redemption; b the plaintiff in a timely action to foreclose the right of redemption upon delivery of a tax sale deed for the property and payment to the County of all sums due and owing; or c if the applicable tax sale is voided by the County for any reason.

Otherwise, the high bid premium will be retained by the Collector. In most instances, the Certificates of Tax Sale will be mailed within six 6 months of the day of sale. In most instances, the first day to file in Circuit Court to foreclose rights to redemption on properties sold at the June 7, tax sale is December 9, Before filing, check with the County Tax Sale Desk at to verify that the property has not been redeemed.

If the property is redeemed, the purchaser may be entitled to be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in accordance with Sections , and of the Tax Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Baltimore County will not collect these expenses on behalf of the purchaser and is not responsible or liable in any manner or extent for the collection of these reimbursement funds.

Upon reimbursement by the property owner, the purchaser of the Certificate of Tax Sale is required to provide the property owner a letter of release to allow the County to complete the redemption process. A release for legal expenses must be on appropriate letterhead and contain the following:. All property is conveyed AS IS WHERE IS and the County and the Collector make no warranty, express or implied, that any property has marketable title, contains the area of land described in the Notice of Sale, that any property does not contain faults that would be fatal to tax sale foreclosure, or that the true market value of any property bears any relationship to the assessment amount stated in the Notice of Sale.

There is no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding any property sold including, but not limited to, that a property has a marketable title or that it contains the area of land which it is said to contain; therefore, each and every bidder and purchaser assumes all risks in that regard. Whenever a tax sale on a property is voided by the County for any reason, purchasers will be notified and advised not to pursue any further foreclosure action or to incur additional expenses.

Reimbursement will be limited to the amount of taxes and high bid premium, if any, paid at the sale. The holder of a Certificate of Tax Sale or any assignee thereof must provide the County with proof of compliance with the Section a-1 of the Tax-Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland regarding Notice required; timing; contents; requirements; and affidavit of compliance.

In the event the County determines that a tax sale is invalid or void, the County will, as the exclusive remedy available to the purchaser, reimburse the purchaser the tax sale purchase price paid, without interest, or any applicable high bid premium paid, without interest.

Auction results will be posted on the Tax Sale website as soon as available. In accordance with Maryland laws and regulations, information provided to any state or local government entity is subject to disclosure and release in a limited number of instances including, but not limited to, court order, subpoena or the Public Information Act, Title 10, Subtitle 6, Part III of the State Government Article of the Maryland Annotated Code, as amended, etc.

Any registrant having any questions or concerns regarding the tax sale may contact Baltimore County Office of Budget and Finance Tax Sale Section at , or email questions or concerns to taxsale baltimorecountymd. Beginning on May 1, , email address will be open and available to answer tax sale questions from 8 a. The Calvert County Tax Sale is held annually for any real property that is two years delinquent in the payment of real estate taxes. Properties can also be sold at the annual tax sale for delinquent water and sewer bills for Calvert County accounts, the Town of North Beach and the Town of Chesapeake Beach.

In accordance with Maryland law, the delinquent taxpayers are advertised in two local newspapers for four weeks prior to the sale. The Treasurer's Office holds a public auction to satisfy the payment of delinquent real property taxes.

If you are the successful bidder you will receive a Certificate of Sale which will give you the right to start your legal proceedings to obtain title to property after waiting a six month and one day redemption period. Note : Holding a Certificate of Sale does not give you title or rights to the property until after the six month redemption period has passed and you have completed the necessary legal steps to obtain an Order to Foreclose the Right of Redemption from the court.

The property owner has six months and one day in which to redeem his property. If after six months and one day the property has not been redeemed, the certificate holder may start the necessary steps to obtain the property title. This means contacting your attorney and having him begin the legal work needed to take title to the property.

In accordance with Maryland law, the expenses incurred in an action to or in preparation of an action to foreclose the rights of redemption are as follows:. If you are claiming any of these expenses, you must have a receipt, invoice, voucher, canceled check, or other evidence that the expense has been incurred, and you will be reimbursed by the owner in accordance with Maryland law.

Please send notice of all fees to the Treasurer's Office for our records. If you are buying property at a Tax Sale, please keep the following in mind:. The land you purchased at tax sale may be redeemed by the property owner if certain conditions are met. To learn more about the conditions, please contact your attorney. Maryland law provides that you are entitled to be reimbursed for certain expenses if the property you purchase is redeemed. These expenses must have been incurred in an action or in preparation of an action to foreclose the rights of redemption.

These expenses include:. This office maintains all tax accounts for real property including billing, processing additions, abatements, transfers, tax liens, and conducting the annual Calvert County Tax Sale. Payment Options Our office accepts partial payments for real estate taxes, as long as your property is not currently in tax sale.

Learn more about how to pay your real property taxes. Reassessments are conducted by the SDAT every three years. It is important that you verify any assessment notices received from the SDAT for accuracy. Assessments may be appealed within 45 days of notice of the new assessment.

You may also obtain your current assessed value on their website as well. The tax sale is held on the second Wednesday in June, as determined by the Comptroller. On this date the County will sell its first lien on the property to a tax sale purchaser. To remove this lien or "redeem the property," the owner or other person with a legal interest in the property may pay all outstanding fees and charges at any time until the right of redemption has been finally barred by decree of the Circuit Court in which the foreclosure proceeding is filed.

For more information regarding property redemption and the tax sale, please read the Tax Sale Information Sheet or contact the Caroline County Tax Office at Tax Sale Certificates will expire 2 years from the date of the certificate of sale unless a proceeding to foreclose is filed prior to that time. Any right, title and interest of the purchaser in the property sold shall cease at the point of expiration, and all money received by the County as a result of the sale shall be deemed forfeited.

To file in Circuit Court to foreclose all right to redemption on the property, purchaser must check with the Tax Office to verify that the property has not been redeemed. A Bill of Complaint must be filed within 2 years from the date of the Certificate of Sale. The buyer is required to report such filings to the Tax Office immediately. When are property taxes due? Taxes are due on July 1 of the tax year and may be paid without interest on or before September 30 of the tax year.

What is the semi-annual billing program and how does it work? Simply, this means that instead of paying your entire bill by September 30, only one half of the balance due is payable as of that date. The remaining half is not payable until December This second installment will contain an additional service charge over and above the property tax amount to offset the lost interest to the county.

If your property has been designated by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation as your "principal residence," the tax bill shows both the first and second payments, as well as the dollar amount of the service charge. If you pay your taxes directly to the county, you may choose either the annual or semiannual payment by simply paying that amount.

If you pay your taxes as part of your payment to a mortgage holder or escrow account servicer and have not made an election to the contrary, you will be considered a semi-annual property taxpayer on your principal residence. Homeowners who wish to avoid the current service charge may pay the full taxes due by September To do so, contact your mortgage company or escrow service in writing before May 1.

What if I don't get my bill? Bills are mailed in early July. If you do not receive a bill by mid-month of the mailing date contact the Caroline County Office at or use this web site to obtain a duplicate bill. What if I have a tax sale lien on my property? Annual bills and the first installments of semi-annual bills are due on or before September 30 and become delinquent on October 1. The second semi-annual installment is due on or before December 31 and becomes delinquent January 1.

Interest and penalties are applied to the net amount of the bill after any credits are applied. Taxes which remain delinquent on April 1 of each year receive a final legal notice. Town assessments for water and sewer and other fees approved as tax liens by the town code are added to this notice and must be paid to the town in order to not be sold at tax sale.

Payments made after mid-April must be in the form of cash, money order or certified check. Credit card payments may be made through Value Payments until two days before the date of sale. Delinquent taxes will result in the sale of the property tax lien through public tax sale. The tax sale is held on the second Wednesday in June as determined by the comptroller. On this date the county will sell its first lien on the property to a tax sale purchaser. To remove this lien or "redeem the property," the owner or other person with a legal interest in the property may pay all outstanding fees and charges at any time until the right of redemption has been finally barred by decree of the circuit court in which the foreclosure proceeding is filed.

For more information regarding property redemption and tax sale, contact the Caroline County Tax Office at The name, address, property description, and assessment shown on the property tax bill were certified to us by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. Any questions you may have with regard to your name, address, property description, or assessed value should be directed to the supervisor of assessments for Caroline County at South Third St, Denton, Maryland The phone number is Any changes to your mailing address should also be sent to the supervisor of assessments for Caroline County.

Address changes may also be submitted to the Caroline County Tax Office by using the back of the payment stub on your tax bill. The Tax Office will then forward the address information to the supervisor of assessments for Caroline County. Other property tax inquiries can be made to the Caroline County Tax Office at What are my options for paying my taxes? Taxes can be paid by check, money order, cash, or credit card.

All checks should be made payable to Caroline County Tax Office. If you are over-nighting payment, the address is Market Street, Room , Denton, Maryland When making payments by mail, please be sure to include your 8-digit property tax account number on all checks or money orders and attach the annual or semi-annual stub from your tax bill to insure all remittances are made properly.

The online system is available on this site. The Tax Office is open Monday through Friday except holidays a. I would like to pay my taxes with a credit card.

How can I do this? Caroline County accepts credit card payments for property taxes through Value Payment Systems either online or at the counter. Value Payment Systems charges a fee, currently 2. For more details, contact the Caroline County Tax Office at or use this site to make a payment.

I am unable to make full payment of my taxes at this time. May I make partial payments? Partial payments are not accepted. Tax payments must be made in full, or the full amount of a semi-annual installment must be paid.

Failure to make full payment by April 1 will result in your property being included in our June tax sale process. Where are the tax bills mailed? Does the bill get mailed to my mortgage company? All bills are mailed to the property owner. The address for the property owner is supplied by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation.

After an investor places a winning bid for a specific tax lien certificate, a lien is placed on the property, and a certificate is issued to the investor detailing the outstanding taxes and penalties on the property. Not all states, counties or municipalities offer tax liens. Some states, such as California, only perform tax sales on a defaulted property, resulting in the winning bidder becoming the legal owner of the property in question.

The term of tax lien certificates typically ranges from one to three years. The certificate enables the investor to collect unpaid taxes plus the applicable prevailing rate of interest, which can range from 8 to more than 30 percent, depending on the jurisdiction. Spurred by the high state-mandated rates of interest, tax lien certificates may offer rates of return that are substantially higher than those offered by other investments.

Tax liens generally have precedence over other liens, such as mortgages. If the property owner fails to pay the back taxes, the investor could potentially acquire the property for pennies on the dollar. Acquiring a property in that manner is a rare occurrence since most tax liens are redeemed well before the property goes to foreclosure.

Buying a tax lien certificate can, at times, prove to be an attractive investment. Some of the certificates have a low entry point, meaning you can buy some of them for a few hundred dollars. Compare that to a traditional investment like a mutual fund , which often comes with a minimum investment requirement. You also have the option to spread your money around so that you can buy multiple certificates for a low dollar value.

And finally, the rate of return as we mentioned above is usually pretty consistent, so you're not going to have to worry about the ups and downs of the market. Negative aspects of tax lien certificates include the requirement for the investor to pay for the tax lien certificate in full within a very short period, usually one to three days. These certificates are also highly illiquid since there is no secondary trading market for them. Investors in tax lien certificates also have to undertake significant due diligence and research to ensure that the underlying properties have an appropriate assessed value.

An example regarding the need for due diligence when researching tax lien certificates is a two-acre lot that may initially seem to be a good value, but it's actually a strip of land that is only 3 feet wide by 5 miles long.

This renders the land unusable for many endeavors, such as building a home or a business. Internal Revenue Service. Accessed Aug. State of California. Real Estate Investing. Income Tax. Purchasing A Home.