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1. Why is Montgomery County selling tax liens?

Montgomery County property owners have an obligation to pay Property Taxes. Property Taxes are an important funding source for local schools and governments. 

Property owners who do not pay their taxes pass this responsibility to those who do pay their taxes. The Tax Lien Sale provides immediate funding of past due tax dollars to the agencies like schools and local governments that rely on property tax funds to operate.

2. What is a tax lien?

Liens consist of past-due taxes plus fees, penalties, and interest that are sold to qualified financial lenders. Liens are sold in large bundles and cannot be bought individually. Property owners cannot buy liens associated with their properties.

3. Can I pay the back taxes I owe before a lien is sold on my property?

Yes. Before a lien on your past due taxes is sold, you have two options. You can pay your past due taxes in full, or you may be eligible to enter into a payment plan to pay your past due taxes.

4. What is a payment plan?

Payment plans are monthly arrangements you make to pay off delinquent debt. You agree to pay a balance each month for the duration of your plan. Payment plans combine past-due taxes with future property taxes throughout the duration of the plan. More information about delinquent plans can be found here.

5. How much do I owe?

To find your balance, enter your property address on the Property Search page and click the "Taxes" tab. Your balance is at the bottom under "Amount Due". 

If you receive an error or do not see a balance, contact our office at 937-225-4010 option 2 or email our delinquency department at [email protected].

6. What do I need to bring to make a payment plan?

To start a delinquent payment plan, a downpayment is REQUIRED. A downpayment on a basic payment plan requires 20% of the total amount due to include total delinquency and full year current taxes. However this is subject to change in the month the current taxes are due. More information about payment plans can be found here.

7. How do I calculate my 20% down payment?

Once you know your balance (please see question #6 to see how to figure out your balance) you can figure out your down payment by multiplying that by 20%.

For example, if you owe $2,000 your down payment would be $2,000 x 0.2 = $400. 

8. If a lien is sold on my property, am I going to lose my property?

If a lien is sold on your property, we advise you to make arrangements with the lien holder immediately. If full payment is not made to the lien holder within twelve months of the date your lien is sold, the lien holder can foreclose on your property which could lead to the loss of your property. 

9. Who bought my tax lien?

Tax liens are sold in large bundles to qualified financial institutions. When a tax lien is sold, the property owner will receive a notice with the lien purchaser's name and contact information stated on it by certified mail. 

You can also find this information under our Property Search Page. After typing your property address, the master information will appear. The lien holder's contact information will be listed under the tax lien section on the right of the screen.

10. How do I make payments towards my tax lien after it is sold?

If a tax lien has been sold, you will need to make payment arrangements with the lien holder to make payments. The Montgomery County Treasurer's Office cannot take these payments. If you need the name and contact information of the lien holder, please see the information under question 8. 

11. What happens if I do not pay the lien holder?

If the property owner does not pay the Montgomery County Treasurer's Office the remaining debt owed on the tax lien, then the lien holder has the option to begin foreclosure. Foreclosure can result in the loss of your property.

12. Do I need to make payments on both my tax lien and my future property taxes?

Yes. Property owners must pay both the tax lien and current property taxes during regular payment periods (February and July). If current taxes are not paid during regular payment periods, a second lien can be sold on the additional unpaid real estate taxes. Additional fees and penalties will be charged for a second lien.

13. How do I pay my current taxes after a lien was sold?

Current taxes for all tax lien sold parcels are required to be paid by cash, cashier's check, or money order until all of the tax lien certificates are released. To see if your lien has been released:

1. View the Real Estate Tax Information System Online Record Search and enter your property information.
2. Look under the "Master Information" section of your property.

If the lien holder is still listed, your lien has not been released regardless if you have paid the lien holder. The certificate needs to be released on our end.