Selling land with back taxes in West Virginia
Yes, you can sell West Virginia 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 West Virginia handles unpaid property taxes
West Virginia sells tax lien certificates. An investor pays your overdue taxes and gets a lien with interest. You still own the land, but if the lien is not paid off, you can lose it through the process in the rule below. Paying off the lien, including from a sale, clears it.
The redemption rule in West Virginia: Tax liens on delinquent parcels are sold at auction by the State Auditor. The owner or anyone entitled to pay may redeem at any time before a tax deed is issued. Redemption requires paying taxes, charges, up to $500 of expenses, and 1% per month interest. The purchaser must serve notice to redeem and request a deed from the Auditor.
Law: W. Va. Code 11A-3-2 (sale), 11A-3-56 (redemption). 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.
West Virginia land at a glance
- Average farm real estate value: $3,640 per acre (2026, USDA).
- Average property tax on farmland: about $10.16 per acre per year (2022 Census of Agriculture).
- Transfer tax: Excise tax of $1.10 per $500 of value (0.22%), plus a county tax of $0.55 to $1.65 per $500, so 0.33% to 0.55% in total. Each county commission sets its own rate in that range, so ask the county clerk. A $20 fee also applies on transfers for consideration. Since July 1, 2025 the county keeps the $1.10 part as well.
These are statewide averages, not an appraisal. See selling land in West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia?
Tax liens on delinquent parcels are sold at auction by the State Auditor. The owner or anyone entitled to pay may redeem at any time before a tax deed is issued. Redemption requires paying taxes, charges, up to $500 of expenses, and 1% per month interest. The purchaser must serve notice to redeem and request a deed from the Auditor.
Can I still sell after the tax sale?
It depends on the West Virginia 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
- West Virginia tax sale law: W. Va. Code 11A-3-2 (sale), 11A-3-56 (redemption)
- 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.