Tax Delinquency in Duval County: A Homeowner’s Guide to Saving Your Equity

If you have received a “Notice of Application for Tax Deed” from the Duval County Clerk of Courts, you are in the final “Red Zone.”

In Florida, there is a big difference between selling a Tax Certificate (which happens early) and a Tax Deed Sale (which happens later). If you are reading this because your property is scheduled for an online auction at duval.realtaxdeed.com, the clock is ticking.

This guide is designed to help homeowners in Jacksonville, Atlantic Beach, and Baldwin understand the difference between a certificate and a deed, the “2-Year Rule,” and how to sell your house to save your equity before the Clerk auctions it off.

The 2-Step Process: Certificate vs. Deed

Step 1: The Tax Certificate Sale (The Warning) If you fail to pay your 2025 property taxes by April 2026, the Duval County Tax Collector will sell a “Tax Certificate” on your property on or around June 1st.

  • What this means: An investor pays your taxes for you. You still own the home.
  • The Cost: You now owe the investor the tax amount plus interest (up to 18%).
  • The Timer: The investor must wait two years before they can take further action.

Step 2: The Tax Deed Application (The Danger) If you haven’t paid off the certificate after two years, the investor can file a “Tax Deed Application.”

  • What this means: The investor is forcing the county to auction your house to get their money back.
  • The Result: The Duval County Clerk of Courts schedules a public auction. If you don’t pay the full amount before the auction is finalized, you lose the property.

Important Contact Information & Links

To manage your tax situation effectively, use these official resources:

  • Check Your Tax Balance: Duval County Tax Collector Search (Search by address or Real Estate Number).
  • Tax Deed Auction Site: Duval.RealTaxDeed.com (Check if your home is scheduled for sale).
  • Duval County Tax Collector:
    • Address: 231 E. Forsyth St., Jacksonville, FL 32202.
    • Phone: (904) 255-5700.
  • Duval County Clerk of Courts (Deed Division):
    • Address: 501 W. Adams St., Room 1024, Jacksonville, FL 32202.
    • Phone: (904) 255-2000.

The 2026 Timeline: What You Need to Know

1. The “Notice of Application” When the investor applies for the Tax Deed (at least 2 years after buying the certificate), the Clerk of Courts will send you a certified letter warning you that the property will be sold. By law, this must also be published in a local newspaper (usually the Financial News & Daily Record) for 4 consecutive weeks.

2. The Auction (Online) Duval County tax deed sales are held online.

  • When: Auctions typically occur on designated mornings (usually Wednesdays).
  • Where: Everything happens digitally at the RealTaxDeed website.
  • The Bid: The opening bid is usually the sum of all back taxes, interest, and fees. (Note: If the property is your homestead, the opening bid usually includes 50% of the assessed value).

3. The “Drop Dead” Deadline In Florida, you can redeem your property (pay off the debt) up until the moment the winning bidder pays the Clerk.

  • Once the high bidder sends their wire transfer to the Clerk (usually required within 24 hours of the auction), the sale is final, and a deed is issued to the new owner.

The Cost of Waiting: 18% Interest

Florida’s interest rate system is unique.

  • Bid Down Process: At the certificate sale, investors bid down on the interest rate they will accept (starting at 18%).
  • However: If you let it go to a Tax Deed Application, the interest and fees spike. You will be responsible for the “Statutory Opening Bid,” which includes:
    • All back taxes plus accrued interest.
    • The Tax Collector’s fees.
    • The Clerk of Court’s fees.
    • The cost of the title search and newspaper advertising.

Your Options: Keep It or Sell It?

Option 1: Redeem the Property (Keep It) To stop the auction, you must pay the “Redemption Amount” in full to the Tax Collector (not the investor).

  • Cashier’s Check Required: If the sale is approaching, personal checks are typically not accepted. You must bring certified funds to the office on Forsyth Street.

Option 2: Sell the House (Save Your Equity) If you cannot afford the redemption amount, selling the house yourself is the smartest move to prevent total loss.

We Buy Duval County Homes As-Is.

  • We Beat the Clock: If your auction is scheduled for next Wednesday, we can often buy the house and pay off the Tax Collector at closing.
  • Homestead Protection: Even if you have a Homestead Exemption, losing the house at auction usually means losing almost all your equity. Selling to us allows you to pocket the difference between the market value and the taxes owed.
  • Any Condition: From historic homes in Springfield to concrete block houses on the Westside, we buy “as-is.”

How Consistent Homebuyers Helps Jacksonville Homeowners

We are experienced in the Duval County market and understand the specifics of the RealTaxDeed auction system.

  • We Handle the Clerk: We communicate directly with the Clerk of Courts to ensure the “Stop Sale” order is issued in time for closing.
  • Probate & Heirs: Many tax deed properties in Jacksonville are inherited. We can help you navigate the probate process to clear the title and sell the house before the tax man takes it.
  • No Realtor Fees: You keep more of your equity to start fresh.

Don’t wait until the auction closes. Once the bidder pays, it is too late.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my house back after the Tax Deed Sale? Generally, NO. Unlike some other states, Florida does not have a “redemption period” after the tax deed is issued. Once the winning bidder pays and the deed is recorded, the house is theirs.

What happens to the “Surplus Funds”? If the house sells at auction for more than the taxes owed, the extra money (“surplus”) is held by the Clerk of Courts. You can file a claim for these funds, but:

  1. Lienholders (mortgages, code violations) get paid first.
  2. Third-party “surplus recovery” companies often try to take a huge cut of your money.
  3. Selling the house yourself before the auction guarantees you get the maximum equity without the hassle.

Do you buy houses with code enforcement liens? Yes. In Jacksonville, “cure and lien” costs for mowing or demolition can trigger foreclosure too. We buy properties with complex city liens and handle the negotiations.

Need a Hand with the Logistics?

Dealing with the Clerk of Courts and Tax Collector is confusing. If you are struggling to understand your “Opening Bid” amount or want to know exactly what your home is worth today, we are here to support you.

Disclaimer: Consistent Homebuyers is a real estate investment firm, not a law firm or financial institution. We do not provide legal or tax advice. We recommend all clients consult with their own legal counsel or tax professional regarding their specific situation.

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Stop The Tax Deed Sale. Save Your Equity. If your name is on the auction list in Duval County, time is running out. Fill out the form below for a fair, no-obligation cash offer, or call us at (703) 687-0741.

More Resources for Duval County Homeowners