Last updated June 2026
What is a tax sale?
A tax sale is the sale of a property by a municipality to recover unpaid property taxes. When an owner fails to pay taxes for a set period, the municipality can sell the property to recover the arrears.
Tax sales are a long-established, legally governed process — and a way for investors to acquire property below market value.
How tax sales work
Most Canadian tax sales use a public tender process: investors submit sealed bids above a minimum tender amount, and the highest valid bid wins.
US jurisdictions more commonly use live or online auctions for tax deeds, and interest-bearing certificates for tax liens.
The tender process
Review the official notice and minimum tender. Complete your due diligence. Submit your tender with the required deposit before the closing deadline.
If you win, you pay the balance and the property is transferred, subject to any statutory redemption period.
Risks to understand
Tax sale properties are sold as-is. Title issues, occupancy, environmental concerns, and redemption rights all carry risk.
Thorough due diligence — title searches, site checks, and reviewing the assessment — is essential before bidding.
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