Right to redeem after a tax sale until the right expires

After an Iowa tax sale, you can redeem at any time before the right of redemption expires by paying the county treasurer the amount of the sale plus 2% interest per month and later taxes paid by the buyer. The right usually lasts at least one year and nine months, and the buyer must serve a notice giving you 90 more days before it ends.

Owners of Iowa property sold at a tax sale.

• Only in Iowa.
• Only if you are behind on property taxes.

• Get property-tax help

  Ask the county treasurer for the redemption amount; pay before the end of the month to avoid another month of interest.

  Deadline: Before the date in the notice of expiration of the right of redemption

  Open the tool

• Interest is 2% per month, so the cost grows quickly.
• 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.

1. State lawRedemption terms

   Iowa Code § 447.1(1)

   Exact part: (1)

   What it says: A parcel sold for taxes may be redeemed before the right expires, paying the treasurer the sale amount plus 2% monthly interest.

   Read the official texthttps://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/447.1.pdf
2. State lawNotice of expiration of right of redemption

   Iowa Code § 447.9

   What it says: The buyer must serve notice before the right of redemption expires.

   Read the official texthttps://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/447.9.pdf

• Homeowner wonSame topic
  Tyler 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 topic
  Hall 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 topic
  Jones 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 topic
  Mennonite 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 topic
  Pung 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