Delinquent Tax Certificate Sale

This summary is provided for your convenience only. Chapter 140 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, is the final authority governing the sale. All bidders are advised to read all laws pertaining to tax certificate sales. An affidavit must be completed in the County Collector’s Office prior to bidding. This affidavit may be completed during the week prior to the Tax Certificate Sale and must be signed and notarized at the Collector’s Office.

· All lands and lots on which taxes are delinquent and unpaid are subject to a tax certificate sale at public auction.

· The tax sale is held annually on the fourth Monday in August commencing at 10:00 a.m. at the Pulaski County Courthouse.

· The Collector of Revenue conducts the sale, and bidding begins for the amount of taxes, penalties and sales costs.

· A money order, bank draft, or cashier’s check are acceptable forms of payment for the delinquent taxes, penalty fees, interest and costs to the County Collector at any time prior to the sale.

· The list of properties subject to sale is published in a local newspaper for three consecutive weeks prior to the tax sale and the Pulaski County Collector’s website at pulaskicollector.com.

· Non-residents of Missouri may not bid unless special arrangements have been made with the Collector prior to the sale. Non-Residents of Missouri (including out-of-state corporations and partnerships, RSMo 140.190) should contact the Collector’s Office prior to the day of the sale in order to receive, fill out, and have notarized the Non-resident Consent Form. This form appoints a Missouri citizen to act/bid on behalf of a non-resident, as required by Missouri Statutes ,and must be filed with the Collector’s Office prior to the sale. (Collector’s Office has affidavit forms)

· The successful bidder receives a tax sale certificate identifying the parcel and bid price at the auction. The total purchase price may be paid to the Collector’s office immediately at the close of the sale but no later than 4:00 p.m. on the day of the sale. Cashier’s check, bank draft, or cash are acceptable forms of payment.

· If the bid is not paid, a penalty of 25% of the bid amount plus a prosecuting attorney’s fee may be assessed against the bidder.

· The Collector issues and mails a Tax Sale Certificate of Purchase to the purchaser. The Certificate of Purchase is retained for one year or until the property is redeemed.

· The original property owner may redeem the property anytime within one year from the sale date.

· The purchaser may assign ownership of the Tax Sale Certificate of Purchase by completing the assignment portion on the certificate. The assignee must be a resident of the state of Missouri. Such assignment must be notarized and presented to the Collector’s office to be recorded.

· Delinquent Taxes (Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes, RSMo 140.190) provides that no sale be made to any person who is delinquent on any property tax payments at the day of the sale. Buyer must sign an affidavit stating that he/she is not currently delinquent on any tax payment. Failure to sign such affidavit or signing a false affidavit will invalidate the property purchase. Collector’s Office has affidavit forms.

· Liens are not extinguished at the time of sale or during any period of redemption.

Tax Sale Certificate of Purchase: The name/s that are put on the Certificate of Purchase on the day of the sale will be the name/s put on the Collector’s Deed that will be recorded, unless other provisions have been made at the Collector’s Office.

Original Owner/Tax Sale Certificate Holder
Responsibilities

The Collector is selling the property for back taxes only and is not responsible for any other liens (lake assessments, mortgages, paving bills, sewer bills, etc.).

The original owner is not responsible for reimbursing costs for any improvements made on the property during the one-year period following the date on the Tax Sale Certificate of Purchase.

The biggest limitation placed on property purchased at the Tax Certificate Sale is by title companies providing title insurance. This restriction may limit the ability to obtain a loan on the property or to sell the property.

The Collector’s Office makes every attempt to notify the interested parties; however, failure to receive notice(s) does not affect legal time constraints for redeeming property or obtaining a Collector’s Deed.

* Notice to Bidders: An affidavit must be completed in the County Collector’s Office prior to bidding. This affidavit must be signed and notarized at the Collector’s Office and can be completed starting the week prior to the Tax Certifi cate Sale.

1. Non-Residents of Missouri (including out-of-state corporations and partnerships RSMo 140.190) should contact the Collector’s Office prior to the day of the sale in order to have time to receive, fill out, and have notarized the Non-Resident Consent Form. This form appoints a Missouri citizen to act/bid on behalf of a non-resident, as required by Missouri Statutes, and must be filed with the Collector’s Office prior to the sale.

2. Delinquent taxes (Real Estate and Personal Property, RSMo140.190) provides that no sale be made to any person who is delinquent on any property tax payments at the day of the sale. The buyer must sign an affidavit stating that he/she is not currently delinquent on any tax payments on any property. Failure to sign such an affidavit or signing a false affidavit will invalidate the property purchase. (Collector’s Office has affidavit forms)

3. Tax Sale Certificate of Purchase: The name(s) that are put on the Certificate of Purchase on the day of sale will be the name(s) put on the Collector’s Deed that will be recorded, unless other provisions have been made at the Collector’s Office. (Collector’s Office has affidavit forms)