Author: Michael G. Louis, Esquire
An issue I have encountered in my practice is that property owners are often not aware that more than one entity may be involved in collecting the taxes owed on a property. Many people assume they are dealing with a single tax bill or a single office. When in reality, different taxes may be handled by different entities. In some cases, a third party, such as Portnoff & Associates, may be responsible for collecting one or more of those taxes, and if those taxes become delinquent, that third party may file suit and move the matter to sheriff’s sale. In those situations, there may be as much as 9 months from the date the deed from the sheriff is signed to file suit to redeem the property after a sheriff sale.
Confusion can arise when a property owner brings one tax account current, but the property still goes to tax sale for a smaller unpaid tax handled by the Tax Claim Bureau. In some cases, the client believed they had paid all of the taxes, but one obligation remained outstanding.
There are generally three separate taxes that must be paid, and they are not always owed to the same entity. Property owners must make sure they are paying the school tax, county tax, and local municipal tax, such as the township or borough tax. Missing just one of these can lead to serious consequences.
If you lose your home at tax sale, it is important to act quickly. Filing a Petition to Set Aside the tax sale can immediately halt the filing of the deed. If the petition is filed before the deed is recorded, it is much easier to work toward a settlement. However, even after the deed has been filed I have been successful having sales overturned.
If you have questions about tax sales, delinquent taxes, or your right to redeem a property, contact author Michael G. Louis, Esquire, Commercial Litigation and Real Estate Litigation attorney at MacElree Harvey, as soon as possible to discuss your situation. Acting quickly can make a meaningful difference in protecting your property.
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