Vermont (VT) Tax Lien Sales
| Sale Type: | Tax Liens |
| Interest Rate: | 12% APR |
| Bid Method: | Highest Bidder/Bid Down % Ownership |
| Redemption Period: | 1 year |
| Sale Date(s): | Varies by County |
| State Statute(s): | Title 32, CH 133 |
| Over-the-Counter: | No |
| State Website: | www.vermont.gov |
Vermont State Overview
There are 237 Towns and 9 Cities that collect real property taxes in Vermont. Typically, the Town Treasurer or Tax Collector collects real property taxes; however, a town can choose one of five procedures to collect taxes. Taxes may be collected by any of the elected officials that have been appointed for tax collection. You may not find all of the information for each county under the tax collector or assessor, you may have to look under other officials who have been appointed for tax collection. Sometimes the sales are handled by a law firm representing that county. Here are four rules of thumb for Vermont:
- There is an automatic tax lien on real estate as soon as the grand list is lodged in the town clerk's office;
- Taxes "run" with the property. If the property is sold with taxes outstanding, the property is still subject to the lien and tax sale - meaning it is up to the new owner to assure the taxes are paid;
- Acceptance of full or partial payment of overdue taxes shall not preclude the town from collecting the remaining balance of taxes, and any interest or penalties thereon;
- Once a tax bill or warrant is issued, it must be either paid in full or fully abated or some combination thereof. The criteria for abatement are very limited! (See 24 V.S.A. § 1535.) A town cannot "write-off" delinquent taxes - they must either be paid or abated in full.
