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TAX SALE INFORMATION

• The Calvert County Tax Sale is held annually for any real property that is two years delinquent in the payment of real estate taxes.   In accordance with Maryland law, the delinquent taxpayers are advertised in two local newspapers for four (4) weeks prior to the sale.  The 2010 Calvert County Tax Sale will be held on Friday, May 14, 2010, in Courtroom 1, Courthouse,175 Main Street, Prince Frederick, at 10:00 a.m.  You can  access the listing online.
  
  
• Prospective bidders are encouraged to pre-register prior to Tax Sale here. 
  
  
• The Treasurer's office holds a public auction to satisfy the payment of delinquent real property taxes. If you are the successful bidder you will receive a "Certificate of Sale" which will give you the right to start your legal proceedings to obtain title to property after waiting a six month and one day redemption period. Please note that holding a "Certificate of Sale" does not give you title or rights to the property until after the six month redemption period has passed and you have completed the necessary legal steps to obtain an "Order to Foreclose the Right of Redemption" from the court.
  
  
• The property owner has six months and one day in which to redeem his property.  If after six months and one day the property has not been redeemed, the certificate holder may start the necessary steps to obtain the property title.  This means contacting your attorney and having him begin the legal work needed to take title to the property.
  
  
• If the property is redeemed, the Treasurer’s Office will notify you by mail and you will be directed to return your ‘Certificate of Sale’ for a refund of the amount that you paid, plus interest at the annual rate of 10% through the month of redemption.
  
  
• In accordance with Maryland law, the expenses incurred in an action to or in preparation of an action to foreclose the rights of redemption are as follows:
  
  
  • Reasonable fee for a necessary title examination
    
    
  • Publication costs
    
    
  • Service of process by publication cost
    
    
  • Attorney’s fees incurred in an action or in preparation for an action to foreclose the Rights of Redemption
    
    
  • Fee for necessary recording of documents associated with an action to foreclose the Rights of Redemption
    
    
• If you are claiming any of these expenses, you must have a receipt, invoice, voucher, canceled check, or other evidence that the expense has been incurred, and you would be reimbursed in accordance with Maryland law.

TAX SALE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q.   I am the successful bidder in the tax sale.  What do I do now?

A.  Pay the current open taxes at the Treasurer’s Office today.

Q.  What type of payment is accepted?

A.  Cash, cashiers check, personal or business checks.

Q.  How long do I have to wait before I can start foreclosure action?

A.  Foreclosure can begin no earlier than six months and a day from the time of sale, but no later than two years from the date of sale.

Q.  How do I foreclose on the property I purchased? 

A.  If you are interested in proceeding with foreclosure, you should contact a lawyer for legal action.

Q.  How long does the property owner have to redeem the property I purchased?

A.  The property owner has up to final foreclosure to redeem the property.

Q.  What am I reimbursed for if I am the successful bidder and the property is redeemed?

A.  You are reimbursed the taxes and cost you have paid, plus 10% annual interest.   If foreclosure proceedings have begun, you will  be reimbursed for any legal expenses that have been incurred in accordance with Maryland law.

Q.  When do I pay my bid price?

A.  When your deed is probated, you must pay the balance of your bid price.

Q.  What happens if I do not foreclose on the property?

A.  If you do not foreclose on the property within two (2) years, you forfeit taxes you paid at Tax Sale, your certificate of sale becomes void and the property may be placed back in the tax sale.

THE ABOVE IS A SIMPLE GUIDELINE OF FREQUENTLY ASKED TAX SALEQUESTIONS, AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME.  THE ABOVE IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE AND IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU CONSULT WITH YOUR ATTORNEY FOR ALL LEGAL QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.

ATTENTION

Holders of Certificates of Saleand Plaintiffs

In Actions to Foreclose Rights of Redemption.

The land you purchased at tax sale may be redeemed by the property owner if certain conditions are met.  To learn more about the conditions, please contact your attorney.  Maryland law provides that you are entitled to be reimbursed for certain expenses if the property you purchase is redeemed.  These expenses must have been incurred in an action or in preparation of an action to foreclose the rights of redemption.  These expenses include:

1. Fee for recording Certificate of Sale,
2. Publication cost,
3. Service of process by publication cost,
4. Reasonable fee for necessary title examination,
5. Taxes, together with interest and penalties arising after the tax sale.

If you are claiming any of these expenses, you must have a receipt, invoice, voucher, cancelled check or other evidence that the expense has been incurred, and you would be reimbursed in accordance with Maryland law.

TAX SALE BUYERS REMINDERS

• When we receive a request from the owner to redeem the property, we will refer them to you.  Please return their phone calls promptly!
  
  
• It is also your responsibility to fax or mail the release letter to the Treasurer’s Office that confirms all legal expenses have been paid.
  
  
• The Treasurer’s Office must be listed as a party to an action to foreclose the right of redemption.
  
  
• Once a case number has been issued in an action to foreclosure the right of redemption of a property purchased at Tax Sale, a copy of the paperwork must be given to the Treasurer’s Office.
  
  
• If you assign your Certificate of Sale to someone else, the Treasurer’s Office must be notified immediately.
  

• Only the Treasurer’s Office can collect monies for redemptions.