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Selling land with back taxes in Rhode Island

Yes, you can sell Rhode Island 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.

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How Rhode Island handles unpaid property taxes

Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island: Land is sold at tax sale, and the buyer gets a deed that stays subject to redemption. The owner can redeem by paying the buyer, or the city or town, at any time until a foreclosure petition is filed. The buyer can petition the Superior Court one year after the sale, or sooner if the court finds the property abandoned. After a petition, an owner who files a timely answer can ask the court to allow redemption on set terms. A final decree ends all redemption rights.

Law: R.I. Gen. Laws 44-9-19, 44-9-21, 44-9-25, 44-9-25.1, 44-9-29, 44-9-30. 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.

Rhode Island land at a glance

  • Average farm real estate value: $23,600 per acre (2026, USDA).
  • Average property tax on farmland: about $104.59 per acre per year (2022 Census of Agriculture).
  • Transfer tax: $3.75 per $500 of consideration (0.75%), including liens remaining. Residential property sold for over $800,000 (indexed to inflation from 2026) adds $3.75 per $500 on the excess. Little Compton and New Shoreham (Block Island) add their own land trust transfer taxes of several percent.
  • Seller disclosure: Rhode Island requires sellers to give a written disclosure of known deficient conditions before signing a sale agreement. The law includes a separate, shorter vacant land form.

These are statewide averages, not an appraisal. See selling land in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island?

Land is sold at tax sale, and the buyer gets a deed that stays subject to redemption. The owner can redeem by paying the buyer, or the city or town, at any time until a foreclosure petition is filed. The buyer can petition the Superior Court one year after the sale, or sooner if the court finds the property abandoned. After a petition, an owner who files a timely answer can ask the court to allow redemption on set terms. A final decree ends all redemption rights.

Can I still sell after the tax sale?

It depends on the Rhode Island 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.

Related

Sources

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.