Selling land with back taxes in Alaska
Yes, you can sell Alaska land that has back taxes. The unpaid taxes are paid from the sale at closing. What matters is timing, because once the land goes to a tax sale your window gets shorter.
Request an offerHow Alaska handles unpaid property taxes
Alaska enforces unpaid taxes against the land itself, not just a lien on it. Once your redemption rights end, ownership passes, and in some states that happens before any auction. The rule below says when, so plan to sell before then.
The redemption rule in Alaska: Municipalities foreclose by court judgment and hold the property at least one year. Owners can redeem by paying the lien plus penalties, interest and costs. The right ends 30 days after the expiration notice is first published. For 10 years after that, the former owner can still buy the land back, until the municipality sells it or keeps it for public use. If it sells the land in those 10 years, the former owner can claim the excess over taxes and costs within 6 months.
Law: AS 29.45.330, 29.45.390, 29.45.400, 29.45.440, 29.45.450, 29.45.470, 29.45.480. Rules change, so confirm with the county tax collector.
What to do before the tax sale
- Call the county tax office and get the exact amount owed and the next sale date.
- Decide whether you want to keep the land. If not, selling before the sale stops the interest and penalties from growing.
- Gather the parcel number and any tax bills. A buyer and the title company need them to order a payoff.
Alaska land at a glance
- Average property tax on farmland: about $4.13 per acre per year (2022 Census of Agriculture).
- Transfer tax: Alaska has no state real estate transfer tax. AS 43.98.035 bars the state from taxing the transfer of real property. Deeds are recorded at a state Recorder's Office, which charges a per-page recording fee.
- Seller disclosure: Alaska's disclosure law (AS 34.70) applies only to residential real property, meaning a single-family dwelling or two single-family dwellings in one building. Vacant land is outside the required form (AS 34.70.010, 34.70.200).
These are statewide averages, not an appraisal. See selling land in Alaska for county values, or try the land value estimator.
How a cash sale handles this
Liberty Acres is a family-owned cash land buyer. We buy land anywhere in the US, in any condition, including land with back taxes, inherited land and land with no road access. We pay back taxes and all closing costs, use no agents and charge no commissions, and close through a title company, escrow company or real estate attorney who pays you by wire or check.
Common questions
Can I sell my land in Alaska if I owe back taxes?
Yes. The back taxes are paid from the sale at closing through the title company. Liberty Acres pays back taxes and all closing costs.
How long do I have to redeem land after a tax sale in Alaska?
Municipalities foreclose by court judgment and hold the property at least one year. Owners can redeem by paying the lien plus penalties, interest and costs. The right ends 30 days after the expiration notice is first published. For 10 years after that, the former owner can still buy the land back, until the municipality sells it or keeps it for public use. If it sells the land in those 10 years, the former owner can claim the excess over taxes and costs within 6 months.
Can I still sell after the tax sale?
It depends on the Alaska rule above. If the law gives a redemption period after the sale, you can redeem or sell during it, but the payoff grows and title work gets harder. If it does not, your ownership ends when redemption ends, so sell before then.
Sources
- Alaska tax sale law: AS 29.45.330, 29.45.390, 29.45.400, 29.45.440, 29.45.450, 29.45.470, 29.45.480
- USDA NASS Land Values 2026 and 2022 Census of Agriculture
State rules last checked 2026-10-13. This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules vary by state, so talk to a local attorney or CPA about your situation.