How to buy tax-sale property in South Dakota (2026)
You buy a tax lien, not the house. The redemption period is not documented. Bidding drives the rate down, and you earn up to 10% a year. You win by offering the lowest interest rate. Sales are held once a year, typically in December.
- Redemption period
- Unknown
- Interest / penalty
- Bid down · 10%
- Bid method
- Bid down interest
- Sale timing
- Annual · Dec
How to bid here · South Dakota
In person- 1.Read the treasurer's notice of sale, published in the county's official newspapers the week before the sale, listing the parcels to be sold and the taxes due (SDCL 10-23-2, 10-23-3)
- 2.Attend the public sale at the courthouse on the third Monday of December between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the treasurer offers a tax certificate for each parcel in tax-list order (SDCL 10-23-7, 10-23-8)
- 3.Bid the full amount of taxes, interest and costs due and state the lowest interest rate per year you will accept; the lowest rate bid wins, and no rate above ten percent a year is valid (SDCL 10-23-8)
- 4.Pay the amount due at the sale; if you fail to pay, the treasurer may offer the certificate again or bring a civil action for the amount (SDCL 10-23-9)
- 5.Receive the tax certificate, which states the sum paid and when you may take a deed and is presumptive evidence of regularity (SDCL 10-23-18)
- 6.Note the county's redemption fee, which the county commission may set at up to fifty dollars and which is deducted from the holder's proceeds on redemption (SDCL 10-23-8)
- 7.Buy any unsold certificate at private sale at the treasurer's office for the taxes, penalty and costs due (SDCL 10-23-12)
- 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
A bid must offer the full amount of taxes, interest and costs due and state the lowest interest rate the bidder will accept; the lowest rate is the best bid and no rate above ten percent a year is valid (SDCL 10-23-8)
- Payment
- Unknown
Not verified from a source yet.
South Dakota auctions tax certificates in person at the courthouse on the third Monday of December: bidders offer the full taxes, interest and costs and compete downward on the interest rate they will accept, with the lowest rate winning and ten percent a year the ceiling. The winning bidder must pay at the sale or the certificate is re-offered, and unsold certificates are later sold at private sale at the treasurer's office. The statutes set no bidder registration, deposit, or form requirements, so those fields are unknown.
Citations
Sale type
SDCL 10-23-7; 10-23-8
official source“the treasurer shall offer at public sale at the courthouse a tax certificate for any real property that is liable for taxes”
Redemption
SDCL 10-25-1
official source“A proceeding shall be initiated after three years from the date of the tax certificate sale or at any time thereafter within six years from the date of the tax certificate sale”
Interest / penalty
SDCL 10-23-8
official source“No rate of interest higher than ten percent per year is a valid bid pursuant to this section”
Bid method
SDCL 10-23-8
official source“The bid offered on the tax certificate at the lowest rate of interest per year is considered the best bid”
Sale schedule
SDCL 10-23-7
official source“On the third Monday of December in each year, between the hours of nine a.m. and four p.m. the treasurer shall offer at public sale”
SDCL 10-23-7, 10-23-8, 10-24-1, 10-25-1. | Prose: lien | bid-down; max 10% per year | until tax deed; deed proceeding after 3 and within 6 years of sale | bid down to lowest interest rate (max 10%/yr) | third Monday in December
Frequently asked questions
- What do I actually buy at a South Dakota 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 South Dakota?
- Not verified from an official source yet, so treat it as unknown and confirm with the county.
- What interest or penalty do I earn on a South Dakota tax sale?
- Bidding starts at a maximum rate of 10% per year and goes down.
- How is the winning bidder chosen in South Dakota?
- 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.