When the next tax deed sales actually happen
Both counties run their tax deed auctions online. These are the sale dates on the calendars as of September 5, 2026 — properties drop off a list whenever the owner redeems, so the count on sale day is always lower than the count today.
Pinellas County — monthly, online at pinellas.realtaxdeed.com
- Wednesday, October 21, 2026 — 40 cases filed for this sale as of today (17 still active, the rest already redeemed or in redemption).
- Wednesday, November 18, 2026 — 49 cases filed (40 still active).
- Wednesday, December 16, 2026 — 53 cases filed (47 still active).
Look up any Pinellas case by parcel number or address at taxdeedsales.mypinellasclerk.gov (the Clerk's tax deed records). The sale date, case status, and any surplus balance are public.
Hillsborough County — weekly, Thursdays at 10:00 AM ET at hillsborough.realtaxdeed.com
- September 17 and September 24, 2026 — 14 and 12 properties scheduled.
- October 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2026 — 17 to 19 properties scheduled each week.
- November 5 and November 12, 2026 — 20 and 13 properties scheduled.
Hillsborough posts the full item list for each sale on its calendar at hillsborough.realtaxdeed.com. If your address is on it, the clock is measured in days, not months.
How a Florida property gets from "behind on taxes" to a tax deed sale
- November — tax bills mailed. Florida property taxes for the year are billed in November and are due by March 31 (early payment earns a discount).
- April 1 — delinquent. Unpaid taxes become delinquent; interest and a minimum 3% charge apply immediately.
- On or before June 1 — tax certificate sale. The Tax Collector sells a tax certificate on the debt to an investor. Your house is not sold at this step, but a lien now earns interest against it.
- Two years after April 1 of the certificate year — tax deed application. The certificate holder can apply for a tax deed (Florida Statutes §197.502). The Clerk of Court then notices the owner and lienholders, advertises the sale, and puts the property on the online auction calendar. That is how a property lands on the October, November, or December list above.
- Until the deed is issued — you can still act. Florida Statutes §197.472 lets you redeem the certificates in full, with interest and costs; redemption cancels the sale. The statute allows it until the tax deed is issued, but both Tax Collectors say to pay before the sale — treat the sale date as the deadline. A closing does the same thing only if the taxes reach the Tax Collector before sale day; a signed contract alone does not stop the auction.
Homestead detail: under §197.502(6)(c) the opening bid on a homestead property includes an extra amount equal to half of its assessed value. Surplus detail: if the winning bid exceeds what was owed, the surplus is held by the Clerk and may be claimed under §197.582 — but the former owner is behind lienholders in line, and the sale price at auction is rarely close to market value.
Three things a delinquent owner can still do this fall
Get the exact payoff and redeem
Pinellas: call the Tax Collector's delinquent tax line at (727) 464-3409 or look the property up at pinellas.county-taxes.com. Hillsborough: use the Tax Collector's online property search at hillstax.org. Ask for the redemption amount good through a specific date, and whether a tax deed application is already open. If family or a lender can bridge the amount, redemption ends the process and you keep the house.
Sell before the sale date
A sale pays the taxes, interest, and fees at closing and puts the remaining equity in your pocket. With weeks or days left, that means a buyer with its own funds and a title company that can close quickly. We have done exactly this: one Pinellas seller called us the day before her auction — read the full conversation. Our guide to selling while behind on property taxes in Pinellas walks through the math.
Protect yourself from "we'll take over the taxes" offers
Auction lists are public, so owners on them get letters, calls, and knocks — some from people who want a signed deed in exchange for a promise. Never sign a deed without a closing through a licensed Florida title company and a written settlement statement showing what you receive. Our red flags when choosing a cash home buyer guide lists what to check, including on us.
Common questions about the fall 2026 tax deed sales
When are the next tax deed auctions in Pinellas County?
As of September 5, 2026 the Pinellas County Clerk's tax deed records list sales on October 21, November 18, and December 16, 2026 — Pinellas sells on a monthly cycle, and each sale is held online at pinellas.realtaxdeed.com. Case files are searchable at taxdeedsales.mypinellasclerk.gov. Dates and case counts change as owners redeem, so confirm your own case there.
When are the next tax deed auctions in Hillsborough County?
Hillsborough County runs tax deed auctions almost every Thursday at 10:00 AM ET on hillsborough.realtaxdeed.com. As of September 5, 2026 the calendar shows sales on September 17 and 24, October 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, and November 5 and 12, 2026, each with roughly 12–20 properties.
Can I still stop the sale if my property is on the October list?
Yes. Under Florida Statutes 197.472 the tax certificates can be redeemed — paid in full with interest, costs, and fees — and redemption cancels the sale. The statute allows it until the tax deed is issued; the Tax Collectors say pay before the sale, so treat sale day as the deadline. A buyer's closing works only if the taxes reach the Tax Collector before the sale.
What happens on auction day if I do nothing?
The property is sold to the highest bidder online and a tax deed is issued to that bidder. You lose the home. Any surplus above the taxes, costs, and other liens is held by the Clerk and may be claimed under Florida Statutes 197.582 — but former owners typically recover far less than they would by selling before the sale.
Why is the opening bid so high on my homestead property?
For homestead property, Florida Statutes 197.502(6)(c) adds one-half of the property's assessed value to the required opening bid. That protects some equity for the owner if the sale happens, but it also means a homestead that goes to auction rarely leaves the former owner in a good position compared with a normal sale.
Someone offered to 'take over the taxes' if I sign the deed over. Is that legitimate?
Be careful. Signing a quitclaim deed to a stranger in exchange for a promise transfers your entire equity for nothing guaranteed. A legitimate sale closes through a licensed Florida title company, shows you a written settlement statement, and pays you the price minus the taxes and liens at closing. Read our guide to red flags when choosing a cash home buyer before you sign anything.
Verify everything above yourself — the sources are public
The dates and counts on this page were read from the Pinellas Clerk's tax deed records and the Hillsborough tax deed calendar on September 5, 2026, and the statutes cited are Florida Statutes Chapter 197. This is general information about Florida's process, not legal advice — for your specific situation talk to a Florida attorney. If you want a second set of eyes on your case file, we will pull it and tell you exactly how many days you have, at no cost and with no obligation.
Free conversation. We'll pull the certificate and auction status the same day.
AL Cakici · Owner, HomeSellerCashOffer (Tampete Homes LLC)
AL buys houses in Pinellas County for his own account and has personally purchased and assisted with 100+ transactions over 10+ years across the country. He is not an attorney; this article is general information drawn from the Florida Statutes and county sources linked in the text, not legal advice. Facts checked against those sources on September 5, 2026.