Understanding Tax Deeds and Property Tax Sales in Hernando County

• •Property taxes are due by November 1st and can be paid through March 31st.
• •A 3% penalty is applied to unpaid property taxes starting April 1st.
• •Unpaid taxes are advertised in local newspapers for three consecutive weeks in May.
• •Tax certificates represent an interest-bearing lien (0% to 18%) on a property, not ownership.
• •If a tax certificate is not redeemed within two years, the holder may apply for a tax deed sale.
• •Tax deed sales are held online at hernando.realtaxdeed.com and start at 10:00 a.m.
• •Winning bidders must pay a non-refundable deposit of 5% of the bid or $200.00, whichever is greater.
• •The remaining balance of a winning bid must be paid within 24 hours via cashier's check, money order, or cash.
• •All tax deed properties are sold on a 'buyer beware' basis.
• •Mobile homes are not included in tax deed sales and require separate title transfer.
• •Surplus funds from a sale are held by the Clerk for one year before being transferred to the Department of State.
• •Claims for surplus funds must be submitted via an Affidavit of Claim to the Clerk's Office.

Property owners who fail to pay taxes face the risk of their property being sold at public auction, while potential buyers must navigate a 'buyer beware' process for purchasing these tax-deeded properties.

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.