Right to redeem your property for at least 12 months after a tax sale
O.C.G.A. § 48-4-40(1)–(2)
In plain words
In Georgia a tax sale buyer gets a deed that is still subject to your right to redeem. You can redeem at any time within 12 months of the sale, and after that until the buyer serves a notice that forecloses your right to redeem. Redeeming costs the sale price plus taxes, costs and a premium.
Who is protected
Owners and lienholders of Georgia property sold for taxes.
When it applies
- Only in Georgia.
- Only if you are behind on property taxes.
What you can do
Get property-tax help
Ask the tax commissioner and the buyer for the exact redemption amount, then pay in certified funds and get a receipt.
Deadline: Within 12 months of the sale, or before the date in any notice of foreclosure of the right to redeem
Open the toolPut the deadline on your calendar
Mark the sale date; watch your mail for a notice that sets a final redemption date.
Deadline: 12 months after the tax sale
Open the tool
Honest limits
- The premium makes redemption more expensive the longer you wait.
- This is general education, not legal advice. Laws change and details depend on your papers and your court; check the current law or ask a lawyer or legal aid.
The law
- State lawRedemption after tax sale
O.C.G.A. § 48-4-40(1)–(2)
Exact part: (1)–(2)
What it says: The owner may redeem within 12 months from the sale, and later until the right to redeem is foreclosed by notice.
Read the official texthttps://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-48/chapter-4/article-3/section-48-4-40/ - State lawAmount to redeem
O.C.G.A. § 48-4-42
What it says: Sets the redemption amount: the price paid plus taxes, costs and a premium.
Read the official texthttps://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-48/chapter-4/article-3/section-48-4-42/
Court cases
- Homeowner wonSame topicTyler v. Hennepin County
Tyler v. Hennepin County, 598 U.S. 631 (2023)
a government that sells a home for unpaid taxes and keeps the value beyond the tax debt takes property without just compensation
- Homeowner wonSame topicHall v. Meisner
Hall v. Meisner, 51 F.4th 185 (6th Cir. 2022)
a homeowner's equity in property taken for a smaller tax debt is protected property, and taking it without compensation states a federal takings claim
- Homeowner wonSame topicJones v. Flowers
Jones v. Flowers, 547 U.S. 220 (2006)
when mailed notice of a tax sale is returned undelivered, the government must take additional reasonable steps to notify the owner before selling the property
- Homeowner wonSame topicMennonite Board of Missions v. Adams
Mennonite Bd. of Missions v. Adams, 462 U.S. 791 (1983)
a person with a recorded interest in property is entitled to notice by mail or equally reliable means before a tax sale, and publication or posting alone is not enough
- Homeowner lostSame topicPung v. Isabella County
Pung v. Isabella County, No. 25-95, slip op. (U.S. June 23, 2026)
after a fairly conducted tax sale, the government owes the former owner the surplus from the sale price, not the property's fair market value
Related rights
Right to notice of excess funds after a tax sale
O.C.G.A. § 48-4-5(a)
If a Georgia tax sale brings in more than the taxes, costs and expenses, the extra money is excess funds. The officer who sold the property must mail written notice of the excess funds to the record owner and others with recorded interests within 30 days after the sale. You can then claim the funds.
Read this rightThe right to real notice before the government takes or sells your home
U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 1Due Process Clause
Before a state or county sells your property — for example at a tax sale, or through a court foreclosure — the Constitution requires notice that is reasonably likely to actually reach you. If the government knows your address, publishing a notice in the newspaper is not enough. If a mailed notice comes back unclaimed, the government must take extra reasonable steps to reach you, if it practicably can.
Read this rightThe government cannot keep your home equity beyond the tax debt
U.S. Const. amend. VTakings Clause
If your home is taken or sold to pay property taxes, the government may collect what you owe, but it may not keep the extra value. Keeping the surplus is a "taking" of your property without just compensation, which the Fifth Amendment forbids (Tyler v. Hennepin County, 2023). You may be able to claim the surplus, but you usually must follow your state's claim process and deadlines.
Read this rightFair handling of your escrow account
12 C.F.R. § 1024.17(c)(1)
If your servicer collects money for taxes and insurance (escrow), it must pay those bills on time as long as you are not more than 30 days behind. It must review the account every year and send you a statement. It cannot keep more than a small cushion (one-sixth of a year's payments), and it must refund a surplus of $50 or more within 30 days of the review. When you pay off the loan, it must return what is left within 20 business days.
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