The recent auction of tax-delinquent properties in four counties raised over $692,000 dollars, the Commissioner of State Lands, Tommy Land announced. Over half of that amount is from Saline County properties.
The regional auction drew 121 registered bidders, who purchased 114 of 183 parcels for $692,356.18. Read more below for Auction results by county, how much turnback money will go to each of the four counties, how to purchase tax-delinquent properties and a current list.
Auction results were as follows:
Saline County: 153 parcels offered; 89 parcels sold; $389,152.09 total; $43,564.51 taxes collected
Hot Spring County: 21 parcels offered; 17 parcels sold; $221,104.09 total; $25,502.07 taxes collected
Perry County: 7 parcels offered; 6 parcels sold; $73,100 total; $4,484.48 taxes collected
Grant County: 2 parcels offered; 2 parcels sold; $9,000 total; $1,310.49 taxes collected
The auctions offered real estate parcels with taxes delinquent since 2019.
“We only auction a fraction of the parcels certified for delinquent taxes,” Commissioner Land said. “By far, most owners redeem their property by paying the delinquent taxes. Naturally we hope property is redeemed if the owners want to keep it, but it is vital that the parcels return to the county’s active tax rolls.”
The COSL office forwards taxes and interest to the county, whether that money is collected through redemption or sale.
“Last year, the Commissioner of State Lands Office sent more than $21 million to school districts and county governments,” Land said. “Of that, $849,200.03 went to these four counties, helping fund everything from roads to schools.”
Those turnback amounts to counties were:
Saline County: $588,186.06
Hot Spring County: $191,582.03
Perry County: $42,081.04
Grant County: $27,350.90
Auction sales are final.
Unsold parcels may be redeemed online at www.cosl.org, using a credit or debit card, or owners can call 501-324-9422 to request a Petition to Redeem. Redemption does not grant ownership; it simply makes the taxes current.
Parcels that did not sell at the public auction will be available after 30 days and can be purchased through an online auction by viewing the Post-Auction Sales List at www.cosl.org.
This is the Frequently Asked Questions on Purchasing Tax-Delinquent Land:
Owners of delinquent parcels may redeem those delinquent taxes online at www.cosl.org using a credit or debit card. Those who prefer to pay by check or money order can print a Petition to Redeem from the website or call the office at 501-324-9422 to request the petition. That petition must accompany the payment.
Owners seeking to redeem within 30 days before an auction must use certified funds, or may redeem with cash in the State Lands office at 1020 W. 4th Street in Little Rock. Cash is only accepted for redemption, and only for in-person payments at 1020 W. 4th Street.