Can you pay back taxes to claim property?

Paying Back Taxes on Others' Property

You can always pay someone else's property taxes, whether they're back taxes or current. There's no law against it, and some homeowners might encourage it because, except in the most unusual circumstances, there's no benefit to you for paying them.

Herein, can you buy property by paying back taxes?

When you buy a tax lien certificate, you're buying the right to receive a debt payment, not the deed to the house. The homeowner is still the legal owner of the home. If he does not pay the tax debt, then you can foreclose. But you cannot buy a tax lien, turn around and foreclose on the property the next day.

Likewise, can someone take your property by paying the taxes in Florida? Florida Property Tax Lien Sales and Tax Deed Sales If you don't pay your property taxes in Florida, the delinquent amount becomes a lien on your home. 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.”

Secondly, what happens if you pay someone else's property taxes?

No law prohibits someone from paying the property taxes due on another person's property, after all. But just because you pay back taxes on someone else's property doesn't mean you'll gain any sort of legal interest or ownership right to that property.

What happens if you don't pay your property taxes?

People who don't pay the tax now risk facing financial penalties, which could range from an 8% interest on their local property tax, to a surcharge in their income tax.

35 Related Question Answers Found

Is Buying Tax Liens profitable?

Sometimes, interest rates get bid down so low that buying a tax lien is no more profitable than putting money in the bank. In fact, tax liens can sometimes be larger than the value of the property itself. It's also crucial to have a good understanding of the physical condition of the property you are buying.

Is tax lien certificates a good investment?

The Ease of Investing in Tax Liens

And you don't need a lot of money to invest in certificates or deeds. When you buy a tax lien, you basically paid the taxes for the homeowner in exchange for a certificate. The certificate is good for the amount you paid plus interest.

How many years can you get behind on property taxes?

Article 11 of the Real Property Tax Law states that foreclosure may begin after two years of delinquency. However, counties have the option of extending that period to three or four years. Additionally, cities may have their own charter-mandated process for delinquent tax enforcement.

How does a delinquent tax sale work?

Tax Deed Sales

A tax deed sale occurs when the state auctions the deed to a delinquent taxpayer's property. The winning purchaser becomes the new owner and secures all rights to the property. Moreover, the purchaser is not responsible for paying any pre-existing mortgages, liens, deeds of trust, or other such fees.

How do I claim an abandoned property legally?

See Adverse Possession. At common law, a person who finds abandoned property may claim it. To do so, the finder must take definite steps to show their claim. For example, a finder might claim an abandoned piece of furniture by taking it to her house, or putting a sign on it indicating her ownership.

How do you buy a property with a tax lien?

How Can I Invest in Tax Liens? Property tax liens can be purchased the same way actual properties can be bought and sold at auctions. The auctions may be held in a physical setting or online, and investors may either bid down on the interest rate on the lien or bid up a premium they will pay for it.

How do you buy a tax lien property?

The highest bidder now has the right to collect the liens, plus interest, from the homeowner. If the homeowner can't pay the liens, the new lien owner can foreclose on the property. In a tax deed sale, a property with unpaid taxes is sold in its entirety, at auction.

How do you take ownership of abandoned property?

To acquire abandoned property, first find out who owns the property by checking your county's property tax records. Then, reach out to the owner of the property and make them an offer. Just make sure you thoroughly research the title of the property to find out how much money is owed on it.

How do you find out who paid property tax?

Another way to find out how much you paid is to visit the website of your local tax office or county treasurer's office. If you don't know the web address, search for “(your county) tax office.” Once you're there, look for a link to Property Tax Records, or View and Pay Your Bill, or something similar.

Can you buy a house that owes back taxes?

Buying a Home That Is Behind on Back Taxes

A: Technically, yes. All homeowners must pay their real estate taxes each year. In general, if the homeowner fails to pay the back taxes owed in the specified period of time, these properties are typically sold for the back taxes, and anyone can buy them.

How often does adverse possession happen?

The statutory period for adverse possession may be as short as three years or as long as twenty years. Many jurisdictions allow an adverse possessor to "tack on" his or her period of adverse possession to a previous possessor's period, so long as there is no lapse in time between the two occupations.

How do I find out if taxes are owed on a property?

Visit the County Assessor's Office

With a property address or a parcel number, you can look up property tax records by going to the county assessor's office or using the assessor's online portal. Property taxes are public record and available to anyone.

How long can property taxes go unpaid in Florida?

Property owners have 2 years from the date taxes become delinquent before they risk loss of the property. As stated in Florida Statute 197.502, after the 2 year period has elapsed and taxes remain unpaid, the certificate holder may file a tax deed application with the Tax Collector's office.

What happens when you buy a tax deed?

A tax deed is a legal document that grants ownership of a property to a government body when the property owner does not pay the taxes due on the property. A tax deed gives the government the authority to sell the property to collect the delinquent taxes and transfer the property to the purchaser.

Does tax deed wipe out mortgage?

There is not enough information on the posting. It is Tax Deed Sales that wipe out the mortgage(s) or when the property become a deed to the new owner. Tax Liens do not wipe out the mortgage(s). Also, Tax Sales do not wipe out Assessment or IRS Liens (government liens), if they are attached to the property.

What happens when a tax certificate is sold?

A tax certificate is an enforceable first lien against the property for unpaid real estate taxes. The sale allows investors to purchase certificates by paying the tax debt. The certificate is awarded to the bidder who will pay the taxes, interest and costs and accept the lowest rate of interest.

Is Florida a tax lien or deed State?

A Tax Lien state sells tax certificates to investors when homeowners become delinquent. Florida is a Tax Deed and a Tax Lien state.