Tax deed sales in Sarasota County, FL

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How tax deed sales work in Florida

• A tax deed sale starts when the holder of a Florida tax certificate applies for a tax deed, which it can do once two years have passed since April 1 of the year the certificate was issued. The owner can still redeem by paying what is owed until the winning bidder pays the clerk in full. (§197.502, Fla. Stat.)
• The opening bid covers the certificates being redeemed, other delinquent and omitted taxes, interest and the sale costs. If the property is on the tax roll as homestead, one-half of its latest assessed value is added to the opening bid. (§197.502, Fla. Stat.)
• The high bidder pays a nonrefundable deposit of 5% of the bid or $200, whichever is greater, and must pay the full bid plus documentary stamp tax and recording fees within 24 hours, not counting weekends and legal holidays. If the winner doesn't pay, the deposit goes toward the costs of a new sale, which the clerk re-advertises. (§197.542, Fla. Stat.)
• A tax deed clears most liens, mortgages and other interests. Exceptions include recorded liens held by a city, county, special district or community development district that aren't paid from the sale, certain utility, drainage and access easements, and ordinary deed restrictions. (§197.552, Fla. Stat.)
• When a tax deed sells above the opening bid, government lienholders are paid first and the rest is surplus. The clerk mails a notice of surplus funds to the people who were owed notice of the sale, and they have 120 days from that notice to file a claim. (§197.582, Fla. Stat.)
• If nobody bids, the property goes on the clerk's list of lands available for taxes. For the first 90 days only the county may buy it; after that anyone can buy it from the clerk for the opening bid. Land still unsold three years after the sale goes to the county. (§197.502, Fla. Stat.)
• Clerks may hold tax deed sales online, and many Florida counties do so on RealTaxDeed (county.realtaxdeed.com) or on their RealForeclose site. (§197.542, Fla. Stat.)

Read the full guide: How Florida tax deed sales work →

Tax deed sales in Sarasota County: common questions

Where and when are Sarasota County tax deed sales held?

Sarasota County tax deed sales mostly start at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time.

How many tax deed sales are scheduled in Sarasota County?

As of November 8, 2026, no tax deed sales are scheduled in Sarasota County in the next 90 days.

What do Sarasota County tax deed sales sell for?

Since October 1, 2026, 11 tax deed sales sold in Sarasota County; 100% went to outside bidders. The median winning third-party bid was 269% of the opening bid and 41% of the estimated property value. Those sales drew 25 bids on average.

What is the typical opening bid at Sarasota County tax deed sales?

The median opening bid of Sarasota County tax deed sales decided since October 1, 2026 was $3,663. The opening bid is only the unpaid taxes, interest and costs, so it is often far below the property's value.

What deposit do I need, and when is the balance due?

The high bidder pays a nonrefundable deposit of 5% of the bid or $200, whichever is greater, and must pay the full bid plus documentary stamp tax and recording fees within 24 hours, not counting weekends and legal holidays. If the winner doesn't pay, the deposit goes toward the costs of a new sale, which the clerk re-advertises.

How is the opening bid set at a Florida tax deed sale?

The opening bid covers the certificates being redeemed, other delinquent and omitted taxes, interest and the sale costs. If the property is on the tax roll as homestead, one-half of its latest assessed value is added to the opening bid.

Does a Florida tax deed clear the liens?

A tax deed clears most liens, mortgages and other interests. Exceptions include recorded liens held by a city, county, special district or community development district that aren't paid from the sale, certain utility, drainage and access easements, and ordinary deed restrictions.

What happens to surplus money from the sale?

When a tax deed sells above the opening bid, government lienholders are paid first and the rest is surplus. The clerk mails a notice of surplus funds to the people who were owed notice of the sale, and they have 120 days from that notice to file a claim.

What happens if nobody bids at a Florida tax deed sale?

If nobody bids, the property goes on the clerk's list of lands available for taxes. For the first 90 days only the county may buy it; after that anyone can buy it from the clerk for the opening bid. Land still unsold three years after the sale goes to the county.