Senate Bill 478 was signed into law by the Governor on June 17, 2011 and, as a result, a number of Tax Deed Sale procedures will change on July 1, 2011:

• For each piece of property purchased, the successful high bidder is required to pay a non-refundable deposit equal to a minimum of exactly five percent (5%) of the final bid or $200.00, whichever is greater, at the time of the sale. Therefore, in order to participate in the Clerk’s online tax deed sales, each bidder must have funds equal to at least five percent (5%) of his/her high bid, or $200.00, whichever is greater, settled in the Clerk’s escrow account no later than 3:00 p.m. on the day prior to the tax deed sale date.  Payment must be made in the form of cash and/or cashier’s check, drawn off from a U.S. bank, and issued in U.S. Dollars.

• For each piece of property purchased, if tax certificates exist or if delinquent taxes accrued subsequent to the filing of the tax deed application, the amount required to redeem such tax certificates or pay such delinquent taxes must now be included in the opening bid. Therefore, the redemption amount and the opening bid are subject to change without notice. Please contact the Tax Collector’s Office to obtain the current redemption amount. 

• In accordance with section 192.0105(3), Florida Statutes, the property owner can redeem his or her property up until the time that the high bidder remits full payment to the Clerk.

If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact our Tax Deed Department at (407) 742-3526.