Selling land with back taxes in Delaware
Yes, you can sell Delaware 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 Delaware handles unpaid property taxes
Delaware sells the land at a tax sale, but the deed can be redeemed for a set period afterward. You can win the land back during that window by paying the taxes, costs and a premium.
The redemption rule in Delaware: Land is sold in a court-ordered sale for taxes. After a monition sale, which any county may use, the owner may redeem within 60 days after the court approves the sale. In a Kent or Sussex County tax sale, the owner may redeem within 1 year by paying costs, the price and 20% interest. A monition redemption costs the purchase price plus 15% and costs. New Castle County attachment sales use the same 60-day, 15% rule.
Law: 9 Del. C. 8722, 8729, 8758, 8776. 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.
Delaware land at a glance
- Average farm real estate value: $9,700 per acre (2026, USDA).
- Average property tax on farmland: about $19.80 per acre per year (2022 Census of Agriculture).
- Transfer tax: State realty transfer tax is 3% of value, or 2.5% where the county or municipality has enacted the full 1.5% local transfer tax. Counties and municipalities may impose up to 1.5%. No tax applies when the property's value is less than $100.
- Seller disclosure: Ordinary vacant land is not covered. The Buyer Property Protection Act defines residential real property as a manufactured housing lot or real property improved by dwelling units for 1-4 families.
These are statewide averages, not an appraisal. See selling land in Delaware 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 Delaware 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 Delaware?
Land is sold in a court-ordered sale for taxes. After a monition sale, which any county may use, the owner may redeem within 60 days after the court approves the sale. In a Kent or Sussex County tax sale, the owner may redeem within 1 year by paying costs, the price and 20% interest. A monition redemption costs the purchase price plus 15% and costs. New Castle County attachment sales use the same 60-day, 15% rule.
Can I still sell after the tax sale?
It depends on the Delaware 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
- Delaware tax sale law: 9 Del. C. 8722, 8729, 8758, 8776
- 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.