How to buy tax-sale property in Arizona (2026)
You buy a tax lien, not the house. The owner has 3 years from the sale to pay you back. Bidding drives the rate down, and you earn up to 16% a year. You win by offering the lowest interest rate. Sales are held once a year, typically in February.
- Redemption period
- 36 mo
- Interest / penalty
- Bid down · 16%
- Bid method
- Bid down interest
- Sale timing
- Annual · Feb
How to bid here · Arizona
In person- 1.The county treasurer holds the tax lien sale in February and continues it from day to day, Sundays and holidays excluded, until each parcel has been offered and no more bids are made (42-18112)
- 2.The lien is sold to the person who pays the whole amount of delinquent taxes, interest, penalties, and charges due and who also offers to accept the lowest rate of interest on the amount paid to redeem the property (42-18114)
- 3.The purchaser pays the purchase price in cash within fifteen days after the close of the sale (42-18116(A))
- 4.The purchaser pays a processing fee of not more than $10 per tax lien (42-18116(C))
- 5.A purchaser who fails to pay may be resold, pursued by civil action, or barred from purchasing liens in any Arizona county for up to one year (42-18116(B))
- Registration
- Required: UnknownUnknown
Not verified from a source yet.
- Deposit
- Required: UnknownUnknown
Not verified from a source yet.
- Forms
- Bidder ID card: UnknownW-9: Unknown
- Eligibility
- Residency required: UnknownNo delinquent taxes: Unknown
- Payment
- Cash
within fifteen days after the close of the sale
Arizona sells real property tax liens (not deeds) at a February auction. The winning bidder is the one who pays the full delinquent amount and accepts the lowest interest rate (a bid-down). The purchase price is due in cash within fifteen days after the close of the sale, plus a processing fee of up to $10 per lien. No bidder registration or deposit requirement is stated in the cited sections.
Citations
Sale type
A.R.S. 42-18114
official source“A real property tax lien shall be sold pursuant to this article to the person who pays the whole amount of delinquent taxes”
Interest / penalty
A.R.S. 42-18053
official source“all taxes bear interest from the time of delinquency at the rate of sixteen percent per year simple until paid”
Bid method
A.R.S. 42-18114
official source“offers to accept the lowest rate of interest on the amount so paid to redeem the property from the sale”
Prose: lien | 16% per year simple | 3 years | bid down to lowest rate of interest (not to exceed 16%) | February
Frequently asked questions
- What do I actually buy at a Arizona tax sale?
- The investor buys a lien on the property. The owner keeps title and can redeem by paying the lien plus interest or penalty.
- How long does the owner have to redeem the property in Arizona?
- 36 months (3 years) from the sale date
- What interest or penalty do I earn on a Arizona tax sale?
- Bidding starts at a maximum rate of 16% per year and goes down.
- How is the winning bidder chosen in Arizona?
- Bidders compete by offering the lowest interest rate rather than the highest price.
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Not legal, tax, or investment advice. Read the full disclaimer.