What are Real Property Tax Liens?
When a property owner does not pay the real property taxes, the property will be auctioned in a competitive bidding process referred to as a tax sale. The investor who bids the lowest percent of interest will be the successful bidder for the property.
Property taxes that are delinquent at the end of December are added to any previously uncollected taxes on a parcel for the Tax Lien Sale. The sale takes place in early February of each year online at https://maricopa.arizonataxsale.com.
The following will explain a few of the fundamentals of Real Property Tax Liens.
What is a “tax lien,” also known as a “certificate of purchase”?
- If a property owner fails to pay the delinquent taxes and fees, the Treasurer must offer the taxes for purchase during the tax lien sale. A certificate of purchase only represents a tax lien on the property and does not convey or promise to convey ownership of the property.
- The investor can receive interest between 0% and 16% per year until the tax lien is redeemed.
- Maricopa County Treasurer’s office has gone “green,” so no paper certificates are available.
- Investors should register on the Tax Lien Web for their portfolio of investments.
Quick Links to Articles & Resources
Property which is pledged as collateral on a debt will sometimes be surrendered to the creditor if the debtor is unable to make payments.
The rise in incidents of foreclosure of homeowner mortgages across the nation is but one aspect of this. Repossessions of cars and mobile homes are also common occurrences in the current economic environment. This article explores the income tax consequences to the borrower which may ensue from surrendering property to satisfy a debt. In general there are two tax aspects to consider: (1) recognition of gain or loss on the transaction and (2) recognition of cancellation of indebtedness (COD) income.
Read More about this by visiting the link below
Tax Issues in short sales, trustee and sales and foreclosures, by Robert Ciancola
Visit “Buying Tax Liens: Not an Entirely Gold Plated Investment“, by Chris McNichol, an Arizona Attorney
“Tax Lien Sales Winner for County (but not investors)“, by Mike Fimea, Arizona Business Gazette, February 19, 2004, volume 124
When deciding whether to fight to keep your home or let the lender foreclose, it’s important to know what the lender’s processes are.
How long before my house has equity?
Find out by using the calculator below. This tool will allow you to calculate when you will have equity in your home.
The principal and interest make up the majority of your mortgage payment. The main is the amount borrowed, while the interest is the fee paid to the lender. Your lender may additionally collect an additional sum each month to place in escrow, which the lender (or servicer) normally pays directly to the local property tax collector and your insurance provider.
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