Selling land with back taxes in Vermont
Yes, you can sell Vermont 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 Vermont handles unpaid property taxes
Vermont 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 Vermont: The owner, lienholder or mortgagee can redeem within one year of the sale day by paying the sale price plus interest at 1% per month. This applies after a tax collector's sale at auction. If unredeemed, the collector deeds the land to the purchaser.
Law: 32 V.S.A. 5252, 5260, 5261. 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.
Vermont land at a glance
- Average farm real estate value: $4,490 per acre (2026, USDA).
- Average property tax on farmland: about $36.29 per acre per year (2022 Census of Agriculture).
- Transfer tax: Property transfer tax of 1.25% of value (minimum $1), plus a 0.22% clean water surcharge, so about 1.47% on vacant land. Lower rates apply to a buyer's principal residence (0.5% on first $200,000).
- Seller disclosure: Every seller of real property must give flood information (FEMA map, flood history, flood insurance) before or in the contract. An Act 250 disclosure applies when land is divided.
These are statewide averages, not an appraisal. See selling land in Vermont 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 Vermont 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 Vermont?
The owner, lienholder or mortgagee can redeem within one year of the sale day by paying the sale price plus interest at 1% per month. This applies after a tax collector's sale at auction. If unredeemed, the collector deeds the land to the purchaser.
Can I still sell after the tax sale?
It depends on the Vermont 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
- Vermont tax sale law: 32 V.S.A. 5252, 5260, 5261
- 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.