Texas Tax Deed Sales 2026

How tax sales work in Texas

Texas taxing units collect delinquent taxes through lawsuits. After judgment, the sheriff or constable sells the property at public auction under Chapter 34 of the Tax Code. The buyer receives a deed and takes title immediately, but that title is subject to the former owner’s right of redemption. The redeeming owner must pay the buyer a premium, which is why Texas is treated as a redeemable deed state and attracts investors seeking either the property or the premium.

The minimum bid is the lesser of the judgment amount, which includes taxes, penalties, interest and costs, or the adjudged value of the property. Bidding is open outcry or online. Property that draws no bid is struck off to the taxing units, which later resell it, often at a lower price and with the same redemption rules.

Redemption and interest

The redemption period is two years for residence homestead, agricultural-use property and mineral interests, and six months for everything else. To redeem, the owner pays the purchaser the bid amount, the deed recording fee, taxes and costs the purchaser has paid, plus a premium of 25 percent in the first year of the redemption period or 50 percent in the second year. For six-month property the premium is 25 percent.

The premium is a flat percentage, not an annualized rate, so an early redemption on six-month property produces a high effective yield while a late redemption on homestead property does not. Buyers who want the property must wait out the full period before title insurers will typically write a policy.

When and where sales happen

Sales take place on the first Tuesday of every month between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the county courthouse, or online in counties that have adopted an approved platform. Notices are posted and published at least 20 days in advance. Many counties require bidders to present a written statement from the county tax office showing they owe no delinquent taxes, which must be obtained ahead of time. Payment is usually due the same day in certified funds.

What to check before you bid

Determine whether the parcel carries a homestead or agricultural exemption on the appraisal district record, since that sets the redemption period. Pull the lawsuit to see which lienholders were joined. Check for federal liens and municipal liens.

How DeedScore helps here

DeedScore aggregates first Tuesday sale notices from Texas counties and their law firms, scores each parcel from 0 to 100 and flags the exemption status and surviving liens. The calendar tracks every county’s monthly sale and the redemption deadline on each property you buy.