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If you’re new to tax lien investing you probably are curious (like I was) about tax lien percentages by state and what rates of return each state offers.
Knowing the tax lien certificates interest rates by state can make a big difference in your investment returns.
Let’s break it down state by state, so you know where to invest to get the highest rate of return on your money.
What Are Tax Lien Certificates?
Tax lien certificates are a way to invest in real estate by paying off someone’s property taxes.
The property owner then owes you the amount you paid plus interest.
If they don’t pay, you could end up owning the property.
Why Interest Rates Matter
Interest rates determine how much return you get on your investment.
Higher rates mean more profit.
Each state sets its own rates, so it’s smart to know which states offer the best returns.
State-by-State Breakdown of Tax Lien Interest Rates
Here’s a quick look at the interest rates and other key details for each state:
State | Interest Rate/Return | Lien or Deed State |
---|---|---|
Alabama | 12% per annum | Lien State |
Arizona | Up to 16% per annum | Lien State |
Arkansas | 10% per annum | Deed State |
Colorado | 9% per annum | Lien State |
Connecticut | 18% per annum | Lien State |
Delaware | 15% per annum | Lien State |
Florida | Up to 18% per annum | Lien State |
Georgia | 20% penalty | Deed State |
Hawaii | 12% per annum | Deed State |
Illinois | Up to 36% per annum | Lien State |
Indiana | Up to 15% per annum | Lien State |
Iowa | 2% per month | Lien State |
Kentucky | 12% per annum | Lien State |
Louisiana | 12% per annum | Lien State |
Maine | 8% per annum | Lien State |
Maryland | 12% per annum | Lien State |
Massachusetts | 16% per annum | Lien State |
Minnesota | 10% per annum | Deed State |
Mississippi | 1.5% per month | Lien State |
Missouri | 10% per annum | Deed State |
Montana | 10% per annum | Lien State |
Nebraska | 14% per annum | Lien State |
Nevada | 12% per annum | Lien State |
New Hampshire | 18% per annum | Lien State |
New Jersey | Up to 18% per annum | Lien State |
New York | 12% per annum | Lien State |
Ohio | 18% per annum | Lien State |
Oklahoma | 8% per annum | Lien State |
Rhode Island | 16% per annum | Lien State |
South Carolina | 12% per annum | Lien State |
Tennessee | 12% per annum | Deed State |
Texas | 25% penalty | Deed State |
Vermont | 12% per annum | Lien State |
Virginia | 10% per annum | Deed State |
Washington D.C. | 18% per annum | Lien State |
West Virginia | 12% per annum | Lien State |
Wyoming | 15% per annum | Lien State |
Tips for Investing in Tax Liens
- Do Your Research: Always check the latest state regulations, as they can change.
- Understand the Risks: Be aware of the interest rates to evaluate your potential returns.
- Diversify: Consider investing in multiple states to spread your risk and potentially increase returns.
Next Steps For Investors
- Use Interactive Tools: Check out online maps and calculators that can help you compare states quickly.
- Join Forums: Engage with other investors on platforms like BiggerPockets to learn from their experiences.
- Stay Informed: Subscribe to newsletters and follow investment blogs to stay updated on any changes in tax lien laws.
Final Thoughts
Investing in tax liens can be a profitable venture if you understand the interest rates and other state-specific details.
Use this guide as a starting point and make sure to keep learning and adapting your strategies.
In my opinion, the best way I’ve found to learn is by doing and “failing forward” as they say. I bought my 1st investment property in 2020 during the middle of (you know what..cough..cough), and I had no clue what I was doing despite spending months researching how to invest in real estate.
But guess what? I did it.
And learned a ton of valuable lessons along the way!
So,If you’re truly interested in tax lien investing, consider subscribing to my newsletter and following along my journey from landlord to “leinlord” as a new tax lien investor.
As Leinlord grows, my goal is to provide a “behind the scenes” inside look at the tax lien auctions I participate in and thoroughly profile any properties that I win.
You’ll get to ride along with me as I walk through my risk analysis, deal structures, ROI calculations, bidding tactics, and exit strategies all documented for the world to see (even my L’s).
So please show your support and sign up for my newsletter OR if you are a Google Chrome user hit that “follow” button!
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Additionally, if you’re interested in booking a consultation to talk tax lien strategy feel free to schedule a one on one here.
P.S. I am still fairly new to tax lien investing but willing to share what I’ve learned so far, so please keep that in mind before you book!
I’m not an expert… (yet)
Look forward to having you in the Leinlord community!
Sources:
Alabama – https://www.revenue.alabama.gov/faqs/do-i-have-the-option-to-redeem-my-tax-delinquent-property/ , https://mobilecopropertytax.com/taxliensale/
Alaska – https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-don-t-pay-property-taxes-in-alaska.html
Arizona – https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/54leg/2r/bills/hb2445p.htm , https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-dont-pay-property-taxes-arizona.html
Arkansas – https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FAssembly%2FMeeting+Attachments%2F040%2F2952%2FG.03a+CSL+Rules+and+Act+673+of+2019.pdf , https://portal.arkansas.gov/state_agencies/commissioner-of-state-lands/real-estate-division/
California – https://ttc.lacounty.gov/auction-general-information/ , https://countytreasurer.org/redemption-information .
Colorado – https://www.jeffco.us/2430/Tax-Lien-Sale , https://treasurer.elpasoco.com/real-estate-tax-lien-questions/
Connecticut – https://www.oldsaybrookct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10491/f/uploads/terms_and_conditions_for_12-6-16.pdf , https://ct-tax.org/collecting-in-ct/
Delaware – https://delcode.delaware.gov/title9/c087/sc03/index.html , https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-don-t-pay-property-taxes-in-delaware.html
Florida – https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-dont-pay-property-taxes-florida.html , https://www.hillstax.org/taxes/real-estate-tax/delinquent-property-tax/
Georgia – https://www.accgov.com/1717/Right-of-Redemption , https://markweinsteinlaw.com/blog/tax-sales/2-rules-of-the-right-of-redemption-in-georgia/
Hawaii – https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/legislative/office-of-the-county-auditor/audit-reports/real-property-tax-division-revenue-cycle-management , https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-don-t-pay-property-taxes-in-hawaii.html
Idaho – https://elmorecounty.org/treasurer-tax-collector/tax-deed-sales/ , https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-don-t-pay-property-taxes-in-idaho.html
Illinois – https://www.dupagecounty.gov/elected_officials/election_and_voter_information/property_tax/tax_redemption/tax_redemption_process.php , https://www.lakecountyil.gov/292/Tax-Redemption-Process
Indiana – https://www.evansvillegov.org/county/department/division.php?structureid=321 , https://www.co.monroe.in.us/department/division.php?structureid=76
Iowa – https://www.millscountyiowa.gov/246/Tax-Sale-Information , https://www.storycountyiowa.gov/487/Tax-Sale
Kansas – https://www.kslegislature.org/li_2012/b2011_12/statute/060_000_0000_chapter/060_024_0000_article/060_024_0014_section/060_024_0014_k/ , https://www.bucoks.com/502/Tax-Foreclosure-Sale-Information
Kentucky – https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-dont-pay-property-taxes-kentucky.html , https://kentoncountykyclerk.com/delinquent-property-tax/
Louisiana – https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-dont-pay-property-taxes-louisiana.html , https://louisianalawhelp.org/resource/tax-lien-redemption
Maine – https://legislature.maine.gov/doc/10639 , https://lcwlaw.com/municipal-law-update-tax-acquired-property/
Maryland – https://dat.maryland.gov/Pages/TaxSale-FAQs.aspx , https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/budfin/taxpayer-services/tax-sale/
Massachusetts – https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-dont-pay-property-taxes-massachusetts.html , https://www.mass.gov/info-details/tax-lien-foreclosure-informational-outline
Michigan – https://www.masoncounty.net/userfiles/filemanager/235/ , https://www.geneseecountymi.gov/departments/treasurer/delinquent_real_property.php
Minnesota – https://www.co.washington.mn.us/706/Delinquent-Property-Taxes , https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-dont-pay-property-taxes-minnesota.html
Mississippi – https://pearlrivercounty.net/Faq.aspx?QID=90 , https://www.madison-co.com/how-do-i/tax-collector-faq
Missouri – https://www.tdd-law.com/blog/what-is-the-redemption-period-for-tax-sales-in-missouri/ , https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-dont-pay-property-taxes-missouri.html
Montana – https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-dont-pay-property-taxes-montana.html , https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0150/chapter_0180/part_0010/section_0110/0150-0180-0010-0110.html
Nebraska – https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-don-t-pay-property-taxes-in-nebraska.html , https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=77-1902
Nevada – https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-don-t-pay-property-taxes-in-nevada.html , https://www.nyecountynv.gov/264/More-Information
New Hampshire – https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-don-t-pay-property-taxes-in-new-hampshire.html , https://www.townofthornton.org/tax-collector/faq/what-tax-lien
New Jersey – https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-dont-pay-property-taxes-new-jersey.html , https://www.metrickesq.com/blog/new-jersey-tax-sale-foreclosure-timeline/
New Mexico – https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-don-t-pay-property-taxes-in-new-mexico.html , .https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/money/business/2019/04/08/57-dona-ana-county-properties-auctioned-back-taxes/3341640002/
New York – https://law.justia.com/codes/new-york/2022/rpt/article-11/title-2/1110/ , https://co.jefferson.ny.us/departments/CountyAttorney/frequently-asked-tax-foreclosure-and-auction-questions
North Carolina – https://www.dconc.gov/county-departments/departments-f-z/tax-administration/foreclosure , https://www.johnstonnc.com/tax2/tcontent.cfm?pid=foreclose
North Dakota – https://www.okeeffeattorneys.com/foreclosure-rules-in-north-dakota/ , https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t28c24.pdf
Ohio – https://fclawlib.libguides.com/foreclosure/taxcertificates , https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-dont-pay-property-taxes-ohio.html
Oklahoma – https://oktaxrolls.com/public/custom/upload/document/Bidder_Packet.pdf , https://www.oklahomacounty.org/elected-offices/treasurer , https://digitalcommons.law.utulsa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1351&context=tlr
Oregon – https://www.oregon.gov/dor/forms/formspubs/310-671.pdf , https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors312.html , https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-dont-pay-property-taxes-oregon.html
Pennsylvania – https://www.abi.org/feed-item/is-there-a-right-of-redemption-at-a-sheriff%E2%80%99s-sale-in-pennsylvania , https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-dont-pay-property-taxes-pennsylvania.html , https://www.youngmarrlaw.com/is-there-a-right-of-redemption-at-a-sheriffs-sale-in-pennsylvania/
Rhode Island – https://www.cumberlandri.org/DocumentCenter/View/436/Tax-Sale-PDF , https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-don-t-pay-property-taxes-in-rhode-island.html , https://www.providenceri.gov/collector/tax-sale-information/
South Carolina – https://www.williamsburgcounty.sc.gov/326/Tax-Sale-Procedures , https://www.orangeburgcounty.org/365/Redemption-of-Property-Sold , https://www.colletoncounty.org/faq/what-happens-when-property-sold-delinquent-tax
South Dakota – https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/10-25 , https://www.pennco.org/index.asp?SEC=1F1F85A9-9D3A-4C6B-A7D5-7B2F06FF88ED , https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/10-23
Tennessee – https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-dont-pay-property-taxes-tennessee.html , https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/2021/title-67/chapter-5/part-27/section-67-5-2701/ , https://www.shelbycountytrustee.com/163/Right-of-Redemption
Texas – https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-dont-pay-property-taxes-texas.html , https://guides.sll.texas.gov/foreclosure/after-the-sale , https://lonestarlandlaw.com/redemption-issues-for-investors/
Utah – https://slco.org/property-tax/property-tax-sale/ , https://www.grandcountyutah.net/889/Back-Taxes-and-Tax-Sale , https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/millardcout/latest/millardco_ut/0-0-0-512
Vermont – https://www.peetlaw.com/what-happens-if-i-don-t-pay-my-property-taxes , https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/Docs/BILLS/H-0629/H-0629%20As%20Introduced.pdf , https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-don-t-pay-property-taxes-in-vermont.html
Washington – https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-dont-pay-property-taxes-washington.html , https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=84.64.070 , https://snohomishcountywa.gov/5318/Frequently-Asked-Questions
Washington D.C. – https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-don-t-pay-property-taxes-in-the-district-of-columbia.html , https://otr.cfo.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/otr/publication/attachments/Real_Property_Owner%27s_Guide_to_the_Tax_Sale_Redemption_Process_V.09.2022.pdf , https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/titles/47/chapters/13
West Virginia – https://west-virginia-banker.thenewslinkgroup.org/west-virginia-shortens-tax-sale-redemption-periods/ , https://mapwv.gov/parcel/docs/FAQ_Delinquent_Properties.pdf , https://wvbar.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Tax-Sales-and-Redemptions.pdf
Wisconsin – https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-dont-pay-property-taxes-wisconsin.html , https://www.co.sauk.wi.us/treasurer/rem-tax-foreclosure-information , https://www.co.oconto.wi.us/416/In-Rem-Foreclosure-of-Tax-Liens
Wyoming – https://www.plattecountywyoming.com/departments/Treasurer/tax-lien-sale , https://www.tetoncountywy.gov/439/Delinquent-Tax-Sale-Information-Provisio , https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-if-i-don-t-pay-property-taxes-in-wyoming.html , https://www.carboncountywy.gov/1161/Tax-Sale-Information