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

If you have received a “Notice of Application for Tax Deed” from the Polk County Clerk of Courts, or if you have seen your property listed on the Polk RealTaxDeed auction site, you are in the final “Red Zone.”

Polk County is one of the most active tax deed markets in Florida. The process moves fast, starting with a Tax Certificate Sale (a warning) and ending with a Tax Deed Auction (where you lose the home).

This guide is designed to help homeowners in Lakeland, Winter Haven, and Bartow understand the strict foreclosure timeline 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 property taxes by April 1st, the Polk County Tax Collector (Joe G. Tedder) will sell a “Tax Certificate” on your property, typically on or before 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 force a sale of your home.

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 Clerk of Court (Stacy M. Butterfield) to auction your house to get their money back.
  • The Result: The Clerk schedules a public auction. If you don’t pay the full amount before the sale, you lose the property permanently.

Important Contact Information & Links

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

  • Check Your Tax Balance: Polk County Tax Collector (Search by address or account number).
  • Tax Deed Auction Calendar: Polk.RealTaxDeed.com (Check if your home is scheduled for sale).
  • Tax Collector (Joe G. Tedder):
    • Address: 430 E. Main St, Bartow, FL 33830.
    • Phone: (863) 534-4700.
  • Clerk of Courts (Tax Deed Dept):
    • Address: 255 N. Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL 33830.
    • Phone: (863) 534-4000.

The 2026 Timeline: What You Need to Know

1. The “Notice of Application” When the investor applies for the Tax Deed, you will receive a certified warning letter. By law, the sale must also be advertised in a local newspaper (typically the Business Observer or Polk County Democrat) for 4 consecutive weeks prior to the sale.

2. The Auction (Thursdays) Polk County Tax Deed sales are held online.

  • When: Auctions are typically held on designated Thursday mornings at 9:30 AM.
  • The Bid: The opening bid is usually the sum of all back taxes, interest, and fees.
  • Homestead Rule: If the property is your primary residence (Homestead), the opening bid will include 50% of the assessed value in addition to the taxes owed.

3. The “Drop Dead” Deadline You have the right to redeem your property (pay off the debt) up until the moment the winning bidder pays the Clerk.

  • Warning: In Polk County, winning bidders must pay within 24 hours. Once that payment is received and processed, the sale is final. A “Tax Deed” is recorded, and you no longer own the home.

The Cost of Waiting: Fees and Interest

Florida’s penalties are steep.

  • 18% Interest Cap: At the certificate sale, investors bid on the interest rate. It is often capped at 18%.
  • The “Statutory Opening Bid”: If it goes to a deed sale, you must pay:
    • All back taxes plus accrued interest.
    • The Tax Collector’s commission.
    • The Clerk of Court’s administrative 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).

  • Certified Funds Only: Once the property is advertised for sale, personal checks are not accepted. You must pay with cash, cashier’s check, or money order at the Tax Collector’s office in Bartow, Lakeland, or Winter Haven.

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 Polk County Homes As-Is.

  • We Beat the Clock: If your auction is scheduled for next Thursday, we can often buy the house and pay off the Tax Collector at closing.
  • Keep Your Equity: If your home in Davenport is worth $350k but you owe $15k in taxes, letting it go to auction is a financial disaster. Sell it to us, pay off the $15k, and pocket the rest.
  • Any Condition: From rural land in Mulberry to older homes in downtown Lakeland, we buy “as-is.”

How Consistent Homebuyers Helps

We are experienced in the Central Florida market and understand the Clerk of Court’s RealTaxDeed auction process.

  • We Handle the Paperwork: We communicate directly with the Clerk to ensure the “Stop Sale” order is issued in time for closing.
  • Probate & Heirs: Many tax deed properties are inherited. We can help you navigate the probate process to clear the title and sell the house before the tax man takes it.
  • Local Expertise: We specialize in the area.

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 the Clerk, the property belongs to them.

What happens if the house sells for more than the taxes owed? If the house sells at auction for a “surplus,” the Clerk holds that money. You can file a claim for it, but be careful—third-party “surplus recovery” companies often try to take a huge percentage of your money. Selling the house yourself before the auction guarantees you get the maximum equity without the hassle.

Do you buy vacant land in Polk County? Yes. Polk County has a lot of vacant residential lots and rural acreage facing tax deed sales. We buy land for cash.

Need a Hand with the Logistics?

Dealing with the Clerk of Court 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.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Stop The Tax Deed Sale. Save Your Equity. If your name is on the auction list in Polk 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 Polk Homeowners