Can You Sell a House with Back Taxes in Florida? (Full Guide)

What Happens If You Don’t Pay Property Taxes in Florida

In Florida, unpaid property taxes can quietly become a crisis. If you miss your bill and don’t act quickly, the county can auction your home — even if you own it outright.

Here’s how it works:

Year 1: Taxes go unpaid → County issues a lien
After June 1st: The lien is sold to an investor at auction
2-year clock starts: You have a “redemption period” to pay it off
No payment? Investor can force a tax deed sale — and take the house

This happens to thousands of Florida families every year — and most don’t even realize it’s coming.

But there’s a way out. You can still sell your home fast, pay off the taxes, and keep your equity — if you act in time.

Can You Sell a House With Back Taxes in Florida?

Yes — you can absolutely sell a house in Florida, even if you owe back property taxes. In fact, selling may be the smartest move you can make before the situation gets worse.

Here’s how it works:

The unpaid taxes (plus interest) are attached to the property, not you personally
The title company will demand the taxes be paid at closing
You don’t have to pay anything out of pocket — the back taxes are deducted from the sale proceeds
You walk away free and clear — no liens, no court dates, no auction

The key is moving fast, before the redemption period ends and the house goes into a full tax deed foreclosure.

The Alpha Order specializes in helping homeowners like you sell fast, handle the tax payoff, and protect your hard-earned equity before it's too late.

How to Avoid a Tax Auction (Before It’s Too Late)

In Florida, after a tax lien is sold to an investor, the clock starts ticking. If you don’t act fast, your property can be auctioned off — even without your permission.

Here’s what you need to know:

Redemption Period: You usually have up to 2 years from the lien sale date to pay off the taxes and stop the auction.
Tax Deed Application: After 2 years, the lien holder can apply to seize the property through a tax deed sale.
Public Auction: Your house is sold to the highest bidder at a county auction — often for far less than it’s worth.

Once the tax deed sale happens, you lose everything — your house, your equity, your control.

But if you sell before the auction process completes, you can:

✔ Pay off the taxes at closing
✔ Keep whatever equity remains
✔ Walk away clean, without foreclosure or judgments

Timing is everything — and The Alpha Order is built to move fast when you need it most.

Do You Have to Pay the Taxes Before Selling?

No — you don’t have to pay the back taxes before selling your house in Florida. You just have to make sure they get paid at closing.

Here’s what happens:

The title company or closing attorney finds the unpaid taxes during the title search.
They calculate the full payoff amount (taxes + interest + penalties).
When your house sells, the taxes are paid out of the sale proceeds before you get your final check.

You don’t need to bring cash to the table. You don’t need to negotiate with the county yourself. And you don’t need to worry about liens blocking the sale — if you work with the right team.

At The Alpha Order, we coordinate the entire tax payoff behind the scenes, so you can move forward without stress, delays, or drama.

How The Alpha Order Helps Homeowners Sell Fast With Back Taxes

If you owe property taxes, time isn’t on your side — but that’s exactly where The Alpha Order steps in.

We specialize in buying Florida homes with:

✔ Active tax liens or unpaid bills
✔ Imminent tax deed auction threats
✔ Code violations stacked on tax problems
✔ Mortgage foreclosure + back taxes combined

Here’s what we do differently:

✔ We buy the home as-is — no repairs or clean-up needed
✔ We pay off the taxes directly at closing — no upfront cost to you
✔ We close on your timeline — sometimes in as little as 7 days
✔ We protect your remaining equity so you walk away with cash, not debt

No pressure. No hidden fees. No judgment. Just real help when you need it most.

Real Story: How Ronald K. Escaped a Tax Auction with $22,000

Ronald K., a retired mechanic in Lakeland, Florida, was about to lose the house his parents left him. He had fallen behind on property taxes after unexpected medical bills — and didn’t even know the county had scheduled a tax deed sale.

With just three weeks left before auction, Ronald called The Alpha Order.

We pulled a full title report, paid off the $18,700 in back taxes at closing, and helped Ronald walk away with $22,000 cash — enough to restart his life on his terms.

From facing total loss… to leaving with dignity, cash, and peace. This is what we do. And it’s what we’re ready to do for you.

Don’t Lose Your Home — Take Control While You Still Can

You are not powerless. You are not stuck. As long as the auction hasn’t happened, you still own your house, your future, and your ability to choose a better ending.

At The Alpha Order, we specialize in giving homeowners a real way out — with speed, dignity, and cash when it matters most.

Call us now at (352) 668-9177
or Get a Free Cash Offer Before It's Too Late

We respond within 1 hour. No obligation. 100% confidential. One conversation could save everything.

Helpful Government Resources for Florida Homeowners

You still have options. Let’s reclaim your future — together.