The County holds an annual Tax Sale in May or June of each year. Tax lien certificates for properties with delinquent taxes, water and sewer bills or other liens will be auctioned to the highest bidder. On or about March 1, the County will send a delinquent notice to all property owners with delinquent bills and advertise the delinquent properties in the Howard County Times / Columbia Flier for at least four weeks prior to the sale.

Prospective bidders must pre-register for the sale.

All successful bidders must pay the amount of back taxes, interest and costs plus a High Bid Premium (if applicable) by 2:00 pm the following business day. The successful bidder will earn interest at a rate of 18% per year from the day of Tax Sale until the property is redeemed. Any property not sold by Tax Sale is, by law purchased by the County. Once the Tax Sale is complete, these unsold properties are no longer available for sale.

The procedure for redemption of properties sold at tax sale is governed by state law set forth in Title 14, Subtitle 8 of the Tax-Property Article of the Maryland Annotated Code. The County does not provide legal advice to either the tax sale purchaser or the property owner on their respective rights under the law. Instead, you should either consult the state law or obtain independent legal advice on your rights and responsibilities under the law. No information on our website is intended to constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon in determining your rights and liabilities under governing law.