State laws / Texas
Texas tax sales: liens, deeds, rates & redemption
Quick answerTexas sells redeemable tax deeds for unpaid property taxes. Lien buyers can earn 25% redemption premium in year 1, 50% in year 2 — flat premium on the aggregate (bid + deed fee + taxes/penalties/interest/costs paid by buyer), not annual interest. Year-2 50% rate applies only to homestead, agricultural, and mineral property; other property is capped at 25% (Tex. Tax Code §34.21). Redemption: 2 years from the date the purchaser's deed is filed for record for residence homestead, agricultural land, and mineral interests; 180 days from deed recording for all other property (§34.21) Sales: Sheriff/constable sales on the first Tuesday of every month Governing law: Texas Tax Code Chapter 33 (Delinquency) and Chapter 34 (Tax Sales and Redemption), esp. §§34.01, 34.21.
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Where to bid: Mostly in-person on courthouse steps; a growing minority online via RealAuction, GovEase, MVBA Online Auction, and Linebarger Goggan (LGBS) county portals — platform is county-specific
| What is sold | Redeemable tax deeds |
|---|---|
| Interest / penalty | 25% redemption premium in year 1, 50% in year 2 — flat premium on the aggregate (bid + deed fee + taxes/penalties/interest/costs paid by buyer), not annual interest. Year-2 50% rate applies only to homestead, agricultural, and mineral property; other property is capped at 25% (Tex. Tax Code §34.21) |
| Redemption period | 2 years from the date the purchaser's deed is filed for record for residence homestead, agricultural land, and mineral interests; 180 days from deed recording for all other property (§34.21) |
| When sales happen | Sheriff/constable sales on the first Tuesday of every month |
| Governing law | Texas Tax Code Chapter 33 (Delinquency) and Chapter 34 (Tax Sales and Redemption), esp. §§34.01, 34.21 |
| Investor notes | Buyer receives a sheriff's/constable's deed immediately but title is subject to redemption; the 25% premium is owed even if redeemed on day 1, making quick redemptions highly profitable. Premium bidding — excess over minimum bid does not change the premium percentage. |
Sources
- http://statutes.laws-info.com/texas/tax-code/title-1-property-tax-code/chapter-34-tax-sales-and-redemption
- https://taxlien.io/rankings/
- https://www.taxsalewealth.com/texas/harris-county.html
- https://mvbalaw.com/tax-sales/month-sales/?amp
- https://legalclarity.org/right-of-redemption-in-texas-how-it-works-and-who-qualifies/
Law verified 2026-10-30 against the sources above. Confirm current details with the county tax collector / clerk before bidding — counties can change dates and procedures.
Go deeper: all Texas counties · Texas sale calendar · Texas investing guide
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