Right to redeem after a tax judgment sale — usually 3 years
Minn. Stat. § 281.17(a)
In plain words
In Minnesota, delinquent property taxes lead to a court tax judgment and a sale “to the state.” You usually have three years from that sale to redeem by paying the taxes, penalties, interest and costs. Some properties have shorter periods, and a confession of judgment can let you pay over time.
Who is protected
Owners of Minnesota land sold to the state at a tax judgment sale.
When it applies
- Only in Minnesota.
- Only if you are behind on property taxes.
What you can do
Get property-tax help
Ask the county auditor-treasurer for the redemption amount or a confession-of-judgment plan.
Deadline: Within the redemption period (usually 3 years from the sale)
Open the tool
Honest limits
- Shorter periods apply to some properties, such as abandoned or vacant land.
- 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 lawPeriod of redemption
Minn. Stat. § 281.17(a)
Exact part: (a)
What it says: The redemption period for most land sold to the state is three years from the sale.
Read the official texthttps://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/281.17 - State lawConfession of judgment (installments)
Minn. Stat. § 279.37
What it says: Lets owners confess judgment and pay delinquent taxes in installments.
Read the official texthttps://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/279.37
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 claim surplus after a tax-forfeited property auction
Minn. Stat. § 282.005subds. 3–6
Tyler v. Hennepin County (2023) came from Minnesota, and the state then changed its law. Now forfeited property is generally sold at public auction, and if there is a surplus above the minimum bid, the county auditor must send interested parties, including the former owner, a notice and a claim form within 60 days of the sale. Before the auction, an interested party may also repurchase the property by paying what is owed.
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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