When The Taxes Go Unpaid
Tax Code 34.21 — two years to redeem a homestead or farmland after a tax sale, 180 days for other property
A homestead, or agricultural land. The owner of real property sold at a tax sale that was the owner's residence homestead, or land designated for agricultural use, when the suit or warrant application was filed may redeem it on or before the second anniversary of the date the purchaser's deed is filed for record.
What it costs. The owner pays a purchaser other than a taxing unit the amount bid, the deed recording fee, and the taxes, penalties, interest and costs the purchaser paid, plus a redemption premium of 25 percent of that total if redeemed during the first year of the redemption period, or 50 percent during the second year.
Other property. For other real property, the right of redemption may be exercised not later than the 180th day after the deed is filed for record, and the premium payable to a purchaser other than a taxing unit may not exceed 25 percent.
When the purchaser cannot be found. The owner may instead pay the county assessor-collector, with an affidavit that the redemption period has not expired and that the purchaser cannot be found after a diligent search, is not a resident of the county, cannot agree on the amount, or refuses to give a quitclaim deed. The receipt, when recorded, is notice that the property was redeemed.
What the redemption amount includes, the notices that must be given, and what happens to any money left after a sale are set out in other sections that are not on this page. Whether a particular property can still be redeemed is a question for a licensed Texas attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Tax Code 34.21 — Right of redemption after a tax sale
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Texas attorney.