Selling land with back taxes in Texas
Yes, you can sell Texas 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 Texas handles unpaid property taxes
Texas 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 Texas: Delinquent property is sold at a sheriff or constable tax sale (first Tuesday of the month), and the officer's deed is subject to redemption. Redemption runs 2 years from the date the deed is filed for record if the property is homestead, agricultural-use or mineral property. The premium is 25% in year one and 50% in year two. For all other property it runs 180 days (premium capped at 25%).
Law: Tex. Tax Code Secs. 34.01 and 34.21. 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.
Texas land at a glance
- Average farm real estate value: $3,100 per acre (2026, USDA).
- Average property tax on farmland: about $6.34 per acre per year (2022 Census of Agriculture).
- Transfer tax: Texas has no state or local transfer tax, and the Texas Constitution bars new ones. Only normal county clerk recording fees apply.
- Seller disclosure: Tex. Prop. Code Sec. 5.008's seller's disclosure notice covers only residential property with not more than one dwelling unit. But a vacant land sale contract must include the rollback-tax notice required by Sec. 5.010. Land outside city limits needs the annexation notice in Sec. 5.011. A sale of land with a dwelling worth no more than 5% of value is also exempt from Sec. 5.008.
These are statewide averages, not an appraisal. See selling land in Texas 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 Texas 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 Texas?
Delinquent property is sold at a sheriff or constable tax sale (first Tuesday of the month), and the officer's deed is subject to redemption. Redemption runs 2 years from the date the deed is filed for record if the property is homestead, agricultural-use or mineral property. The premium is 25% in year one and 50% in year two. For all other property it runs 180 days (premium capped at 25%).
Can I still sell after the tax sale?
It depends on the Texas 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
- Texas tax sale law: Tex. Tax Code Secs. 34.01 and 34.21
- 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.