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States › Arizona › Tax Sale Summary

There are 15 Counties in Arizona. It became the 48th state on February 14, 1912. The state motto is "God Enriches".

Currently, the maximum interest rate being offered to all tax lien certificate investors is 16% with a three year right of redemption.

Summary: The tax lien sale shall be held in February of each year, each county auctions liens for properties that have delinquent taxes (Sec. 42-18112). A real property tax lien shall be sold pursuant to this article to the person who pays the whole amount of delinquent taxes, interest, penalties and charges due on the property, and who in addition offers to accept the lowest rate of interest on the amount so paid to redeem the property from the sale, which may not exceed the rate prescribed by, and computed pursuant to, section 42-18053. (Sec. 42-18114).

If there is no bid for a tax lien, the county treasurer shall pass it for the time and shall reoffer it at the beginning of the sale on the next day until all tax liens are sold or until the county treasurer becomes satisfied that no more sales can be made. At that time the treasurer shall: 1. Assign to the state the property tax liens remaining unsold for the amount of the taxes, interest, penalties and charges. 2. Issue a certificate of purchase to the state as provided in other cases. (Sec. 42-18113), and If a tax lien is assigned to this state as provided by this article, the county treasurer shall sell, assign and deliver the certificate of purchase to any person who pays to the county treasurer the whole amount then due under the certificate, including interest, penalties and charges, and in addition the entire amount of subsequent taxes assessed on the property described in the certificate. (Sec. 42-18122).

Law: Arizona Revised Statutes Annotated, Title 42, Chapter 18, "Collection and Enforcement."

Contact: County Treasurer. More specifically, the county treasurer shall secure the payment of unpaid delinquent taxes by using the provisions of this article and articles 4, 5 and 6 of this chapter to sell the tax liens provided for in section 42-17154 and to foreclose the right to redeem (Sec. 42-18101).

Interest Rate: 16% per year. Furthermore, Except as provided in subsection B, all taxes bear interest from the time of delinquency at the rate of sixteen per cent per year simple until paid. A fraction of a month is counted as a whole month. B. Interest shall not be collected: 1. If the delinquency is the result of an error by the county assessor or county treasurer. 2. If the full year tax for the year is paid on or before December 31 of the tax year. (Sec. 42-18053).

Auction Type: Tax Lien Certificate. Specifically, the county treasurer shall make, execute and deliver a certificate of purchase to each purchaser at the sale for delinquent taxes or to each assignee (Sec. 42-18118).

Bidding Procedure: Bidder lowers the interest rate. A real property tax lien shall be sold pursuant to this article to the person who pays the whole amount of delinquent taxes, interest, penalties and charges due on the property, and who in addition offers to accept the lowest rate of interest on the amount so paid to redeem the property from the sale, which may not exceed the rate prescribed by, and computed pursuant to, section 42-18053. (Sec. 42-18114).

Costs: The county treasurer shall collect from the purchaser or assignee a fee of 10 fee per parcel for delivery of deed (Sec. 42-18205). At the time of applying for a treasurer's deed, the purchaser or the purchaser's assigns shall pay to the county treasurer a fee of five dollars and the estimated costs of the title search, of publishing notice, of mailing notice and of posting notice on the property as provided by this article. (Sec. 42-18252).

Redemption Period: Within 3 years after the date of the sale (Sec. 42-18152). At any time beginning three years after the sale of a tax lien but not later than ten years after the last day of the month in which the lien was acquired, if the lien is not redeemed, the purchaser or the purchaser's heirs or assigns, or the state if it is the assignee, may bring an action in superior court in the county in which the real property is located to foreclose the right to redeem (42-18201). A real property tax lien may be redeemed at any time after three years but before the delivery of a treasurer's deed to the purchaser or the purchaser's heirs or assigns. (Sec. 42-18152).

In the case of a tax lien that was sold on or before December 31, 1998, at any time beginning five years after the sale of the lien, if the lien is not redeemed, the purchaser or the purchaser's assigns, or the state if it is the assignee, may apply for and receive a treasurer's deed to the property under this article instead of filing an action under article 5 of this chapter (Sec. 42-18251). This procedure will be accepted only through 2003.

Deed Assigned at Foreclosure to: Certificate Holder. In an action to foreclose the right to redeem, if the court finds that the sale is valid, and that the tax lien has not been redeemed, the court shall enter judgment: 1. Foreclosing the right of the defendant to redeem. 2. Directing the county treasurer to expeditiously execute and deliver to the party in whose favor judgment is entered, including the state, a deed conveying the property described in the certificate of purchase. (Sec. 42-18204, Sec. 42-18205, Sec. 42-18258).

Counties:

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