Short answer

If your Georgia property was sold at a tax sale, you can redeem it by paying the tax sale price, any taxes or special assessments paid by the purchaser, plus a 20 percent premium for the first year (or part of a year) and 10 percent for each year (or part of a year) after that. You have 12 months from the sale—and sometimes longer—to redeem, but the right can be foreclosed by notice after 12 months. The redemption price must be paid in full, in certified funds, to the tax deed purchaser.

Why it matters

Losing property at a tax sale is stressful, but as the former owner, you still hold a valuable right—the right to redeem. This right gives you (or anyone with an interest in the property) the chance to reclaim ownership by paying the required amount. Understanding the redemption process can help you:

  • Recover your property and any equity above the redemption price
  • Avoid losing all rights if the redemption period ends
  • Make an informed decision about whether to redeem, sell your right to redeem, or let it expire
  • Prevent further financial loss or legal complications

For high-value properties, the difference between the redemption price and the property’s market value can be significant. Knowing your options and deadlines is key to protecting your interests.

Steps

Follow these steps if you are considering redeeming your property or selling your right to redeem after a Georgia tax sale:

Confirm the type of sale Check your paperwork to see if the property was sold at a regular tax sale or a judicial in rem tax foreclosure. Most sales are regular tax sales, but some counties use the judicial in rem process, which has different rules.

Identify who can redeem The former owner, or anyone with any right, title, interest, or lien on the property, may redeem. If you wish, you may sell your right to redeem by quitclaim deed to a buyer, who may then redeem.

Calculate the redemption price Add up: The amount paid at the tax sale Any taxes or special assessments paid by the purchaser after the sale A premium of 20 percent of the total for the first year or part of a year after the sale An additional 10 percent for each year or part of a year after that If you redeem more than 30 days after a notice of foreclosure of the right to redeem, add the sheriff’s cost of serving and publishing the notice

Check the timing You may redeem at any time within 12 months of the sale. After 12 months, the purchaser may serve a notice of foreclosure of the right to redeem (also called a barment notice) through the sheriff, giving at least 45 days’ notice before the right ends. For judicial in rem sales, the right to redeem lasts 60 days from the sale and is exercised by paying the minimum bid into the superior court.

Arrange payment Redemption must be paid in full, in certified funds (lawful money), to the tax deed purchaser. Partial payments are not accepted.

Effect of redemption The purchaser must sign a quitclaim deed returning title to you. Any liens that existed at the time of the tax sale (such as a mortgage) come back with the property.

Consider selling your right to redeem You may sell your right to redeem by quitclaim deed. The value depends on the equity above the redemption price, the liens that survive, the property’s condition, and how much time is left.

Get legal help A real estate attorney can read the tax deed and notice, calculate the redemption price and deadline, and handle the paperwork for redemption or sale of your right.

Example

Suppose your property was sold at a Georgia tax sale for $50,000. The purchaser later paid $2,000 in property taxes. You want to redeem the property 10 months after the sale.

  • Tax sale price: $50,000
  • Taxes paid after sale: $2,000
  • Total: $52,000
  • Premium (20 percent for first year): $10,400
  • Redemption price: $62,400 (paid in full, in certified funds, to the purchaser)

If you redeem, the purchaser signs a quitclaim deed returning the property to you. Any mortgage or lien that existed at the time of the tax sale comes back with the property.

Key point: If you cannot or do not want to redeem, you may sell your right to redeem to another party by quitclaim deed. The value will depend on the property’s equity, liens, and time left before the right expires.

Common pitfalls

  • Missing the 12-month window: After 12 months, the purchaser can serve a notice of foreclosure of the right to redeem. If you miss the deadline in the notice, your right ends.
  • Not including all costs: Failing to add taxes, special assessments, or the premium can result in an incomplete payment, which does not count as redemption.
  • Partial payments: Only full payment in certified funds is accepted. Partial payments do not preserve your rights.
  • Ignoring liens: Liens that existed at the time of the tax sale, such as mortgages, survive redemption and return with the property.
  • Confusing tax sale with mortgage foreclosure: The rules for mortgage foreclosure are different and do not apply to tax sales.
  • Overlooking the type of sale: Judicial in rem tax foreclosures have a 60-day redemption period, not 12 months. Always check your paperwork.

Summary

  • After a Georgia tax sale, the former owner can redeem the property by paying the sale price, taxes, and a 20 percent premium for the first year, then 10 percent for each year after.
  • The right to redeem lasts 12 months and sometimes longer, but can be ended by a notice of foreclosure of the right to redeem after 12 months.
  • Redemption returns the property to you, but any liens from before the sale come back as well.
  • You may sell your right to redeem by quitclaim deed before the right expires.
  • Next steps: Review your tax sale paperwork, calculate your redemption price and deadline, and consult a real estate attorney to discuss your options. This page is general information and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Important information

Attorney advertising. Responsible attorney: Christian Cruz, Esq., Georgia Bar Number 238836. Office: CRUZ LAW FIRM, 160 W Camino Real, 589, Boca Raton, FL, 33432.

This page is general information about Georgia law, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship, and no such relationship is formed until we have a signed written agreement.

Fee arrangements depend on the posture of the matter and are set out in a written agreement before any work begins. We are glad to explain how fees would work in your situation when we speak.

FAQ

What is the right to redeem after a Georgia tax sale?

The right to redeem allows the former owner (or anyone with an interest in the property) to reclaim the property by paying the redemption price within the allowed time after a tax sale.

How long do I have to redeem my property after a Georgia tax sale?

You have 12 months from the date of the tax sale to redeem. After 12 months, the purchaser can serve a notice of foreclosure of the right to redeem, which sets a final deadline.

What is included in the redemption price?

The redemption price includes the amount paid at the tax sale, any taxes or special assessments paid by the purchaser after the sale, plus a 20 percent premium for the first year (or part of a year), and 10 percent for each year (or part of a year) after that.

Can I sell my right to redeem?

Yes, you can sell your right to redeem by quitclaim deed to another party, who may then redeem the property.

What happens to liens if I redeem my property?

Any liens that existed at the time of the tax sale, such as mortgages, survive redemption and return with the property.