Selling land with back taxes in Kansas
Yes, you can sell Kansas 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 Kansas handles unpaid property taxes
Kansas 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 Kansas: Vacant land the county bids in at a tax sale can usually be redeemed for three years after the sale. The period is two years if the land also owes certain special assessments, and one year for an abandoned building and its land. After the period ends, the county sues to foreclose, and the owner can still redeem until the day of the sheriff's sale. If the land sells for more than the judgment and costs, the court orders the excess paid to the owner on proof of claim.
Law: K.S.A. 79-2401a, 79-2801, 79-2803 and 79-2804. 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.
Kansas land at a glance
- Average farm real estate value: $3,200 per acre (2026, USDA).
- Average property tax on farmland: about $8.56 per acre per year (2022 Census of Agriculture).
- Transfer tax: Kansas has no state deed or transfer tax. The former mortgage registration fee was repealed effective Jan 1, 2019.
- Seller disclosure: Licensed brokers must disclose known adverse material facts to buyers.
These are statewide averages, not an appraisal. See selling land in Kansas 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 Kansas 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 Kansas?
Vacant land the county bids in at a tax sale can usually be redeemed for three years after the sale. The period is two years if the land also owes certain special assessments, and one year for an abandoned building and its land. After the period ends, the county sues to foreclose, and the owner can still redeem until the day of the sheriff's sale. If the land sells for more than the judgment and costs, the court orders the excess paid to the owner on proof of claim.
Can I still sell after the tax sale?
It depends on the Kansas 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
- Kansas tax sale law: K.S.A. 79-2401a, 79-2801, 79-2803 and 79-2804
- 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.