Selling land with back taxes in Arkansas
Yes, you can sell Arkansas 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 Arkansas handles unpaid property taxes
Arkansas 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 Arkansas: Delinquent land is certified to the Commissioner of State Lands, who sells it at auction by limited warranty deed. Anyone may redeem until the last business day before the sale date, by 4 p.m. Sales are final, and a parcel cannot be redeemed on or after the sale date. A parcel that does not sell can still be redeemed until the state sells it later. The sale date is no earlier than one year after certification.
Law: Ark. Code Ann. 26-37-202, 26-37-302 and 26-37-310 (as amended by Act 241 of 2023), Commissioner of State Lands Rules, 135.00.19 Ark. Code R. 001. 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.
Arkansas land at a glance
- Average farm real estate value: $4,350 per acre (2026, USDA).
- Average property tax on farmland: about $8.55 per acre per year (2022 Census of Agriculture).
- Transfer tax: $3.30 per $1,000 of actual consideration (0.33%) on deeds where consideration exceeds $100.
- Seller disclosure: Arkansas has no statute requiring a private seller to deliver a property condition disclosure. Disclosure is left to the contract and licensee duties.
These are statewide averages, not an appraisal. See selling land in Arkansas 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 Arkansas 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 Arkansas?
Delinquent land is certified to the Commissioner of State Lands, who sells it at auction by limited warranty deed. Anyone may redeem until the last business day before the sale date, by 4 p.m. Sales are final, and a parcel cannot be redeemed on or after the sale date. A parcel that does not sell can still be redeemed until the state sells it later. The sale date is no earlier than one year after certification.
Can I still sell after the tax sale?
It depends on the Arkansas 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
- Arkansas tax sale law: Ark. Code Ann. 26-37-202, 26-37-302 and 26-37-310 (as amended by Act 241 of 2023), Commissioner of State Lands Rules, 135.00.19 Ark. Code R. 001
- USDA NASS Land Values 2026 and 2022 Census of Agriculture
State rules last checked 2026-10-10. This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules vary by state, so talk to a local attorney or CPA about your situation.