A tax deed sale is the process of selling real property at auction to recover delinquent taxes, and the cost of bringing the property to auction. The process is governed by Chapter 197 of the Florida Statutes 197, and Florida Department of Revenue Administrative Code Chapter 12D-13.

Know Before You Bid

REQUIREMENTS

To bid on real property at a tax deed auction, you must:

• Create an online auction account;
• Deposit guaranteed funds into your online auction account to use as a non-refundable deposit.
  For information on types of accepted guaranteed funds, consult our Online Auction FAQs.

Anyone can bid on real property at a tax deed auction.

Online Auctions

Tax Deed auctions are conducted online, pursuant to F.S. §197.542(4)(a). Sales may be scheduled Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, and begin at 9:00 A.M. 

Buyer Beware

It is the bidder's responsibility to perform due diligence research, and to fully understand the process, time frames, limitations, and risks involved when purchasing real property at auction. The Clerk and Comptroller's office is unable to provide legal advice.

Failure to Pay Winning Balance

Failing to pay the balance due on winning auctions will cause you to lose your non-refundable deposit. The Clerk and Comptroller will use the forfeited deposit to pay the costs to rescheduling the auction. Pursuant to F.S. §197.542(2), a bidder who fails to pay their winning balance due may be barred from bidding on future auctions.

[Top]

Bid Online

Create an Online Auction Account

To register for an online auction account you will need the following:

• Email address;
• Current name and address;
• Name in which property will be deeded, if an auction is won;
• Funding source.

Attend Online Training Session

Online training is provided to learn how to use the auction website. Simply register for a training date and time that works for you. 

Verify System Requirements

Certain system requirements must be met to use the online auction website. If you don't have access to a computer to research and bid on tax deed properties, public computers are available in the Clerk and Comptroller's Public Access departments (in Sarasota and Venice). Computers are available on a first come, first served basis. Please review building access health safety requirements for the latest updates on health safety measures.

Research Scheduled Property Auctions

All scheduled tax deed sales are listed on the auction calendar by case number. Using the online auction site, you can view relevant property information, including the Notice of Application for Tax Deed, which shows the auction opening bid, and the Property Appraisers assessment.

Deposit Guaranteed Funds

A deposit of guaranteed funds is required before you can bid. For each property you intend to win, the amount you deposit must be the greater of:

• 5% of your maximum bid; or
• $200.00.

If you are the winning bidder, your deposit will be applied to the total cost of your purchase. If you are not the winning bidder, you will be able to use your funds for other auctions, or request a reimbursement.

[Top]

Save Time

Proxy Bidding

You do not need to be online at the exact time of the auction as the online auction system provides a proxy bidding service. Learn how the proxy bid service works. 

Save Yourself a Trip

The fastest way to pay your balance when you win an auction is to initiate a wire transfer at your bank. Your payment shows up in the online auction system within the hour, saving you a trip to our office to pay by cash or cashier's check.

[Top]

Save Money

Don't Lose Your Deposit

Winning bidders who do not pay their balance by the deadline forfeit their deposit. To ensure you do not lose your non-refundable deposit, and the property you won, pay your balance by the due date and time stated in your winning confirmation email.

[Top]

What to Expect

Before the Auction

• Cancellations or Postponements - Auctions can be cancelled or postponed at any point. Be sure to check the auction calendar for changes in the auction status, such as postponement of the auction or redemption of the property resulting in cancellation of the sale. You can also review the tax deed records online. 
• Deeding Information - Before the auction, you will need to designate the name in which you would like to take ownership of the property. If you have questions on how to deed the property, consult an attorney. The Clerk and Comptroller cannot provide legal advise on how to take title.
• Sufficient Funding Available - It is the sole responsibility of the bidder to ensure they have sufficient funds available in their online auction account prior to the start of the sale to cover the required auction deposit for each property. The Clerk and Comptroller's office cannot guarantee processing of your auction deposit the morning of a sale. Review the deposit requirements and time frames. 

On the Auction Date

Sales begin at 900 A.M. EST. If multiple auctions are scheduled on the same date and time, the order is determined by the tax deed file number. For information on how the online auction proceeds, including proxy bidding, overtime, and tie bids, review the online auction system FAQs.

After the Auction - For Non-Winning Bidders

If you were not the winning bidder for an auction, you have the option to leave your deposited funds in your online auction account to use for other auctions. You may also request a full or partial refund of your deposit. Learn how to request a refund.

After the Auction - For Successful Bidders

• Payment of Balance Due - Successful bidders of an auction will receive an email from the auction site confirming their winning bid, the balance due, and payment deadlines, and instructions. Learn what forms of payment are accepted and how to pay final balance for your purchase. 
• Issuance of Tax Deed - After receiving your full payment, the Clerk and Comptroller will:
  • Issue a Tax Deed, indicating the change in property ownership;
  • Record the tax deed into Sarasota County's Official Records;
  • Notify the county Property Appraiser and Tax Collector of the change in property ownership;
  • Mail the original tax deed to you after the document has been recorded. Additional copies can be obtained by searching Sarasota County Official Records by the name of the news owner or by contacting the Public Access Department.  

After the Auction - For Applicants

No Bids Received

If you are the applicant on a tax deed file, and no bids are received on the property, the Clerk and Comptroller will send you a notice giving you 30 days to either:

• Take ownership of the property and pay any additional balance due. - If you choose to take title, the Clerk and Comptroller will process your final payment, issue and record the Tax Deed, notify the Property Appraiser and Tax Collector, and mail the original Tax Deed to you.
• Decline to take ownership of the property. - If you decline to take title, the Clerk and Comptroller will place the property on the List of Lands Available for public purchase, and reimburse you for any remaining balance of your application fee. Full payment of your opening bid for the property will be reimbursed if someone purchases the property from the List of Lands Available. 

Property Sold to Another Bidder

If you are the applicant on a tax deed file, and the property sells to another bidder, no further action is required from you. The Clerk and Comptroller will reimburse you for your opening bid amount after the sale, and mail your 1099-INT tax form to you in January of the following year if the interest paid to you was greater than or equal to $600. 

[Top]

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Acrobat Reader Windows Media Player Word Viewer Excel Viewer PowerPoint Viewer