Back property taxes & tax liens: your questions, answered
Falling behind on property taxes happens to good people — a job loss, a medical bill, a parent's estate nobody knew was behind. Here are straight answers about how it works in Oregon and what you can do about it, whether you keep the house or sell it.
Start with the question closest to yours
These come from the conversations we have most with Jackson and Josephine County homeowners dealing with delinquent taxes. If you already know you want to sell, see how we buy houses with back taxes — the taxes are paid at closing and you keep the rest.
How long before the county forecloses?
The Oregon tax foreclosure timeline, from the first missed payment to the deed to the county.
Read more →Can you sell a house with back taxes?
Yes — the delinquent taxes are paid off from the sale at closing. Here's how it works.
Read more →How fast do back taxes grow?
Oregon charges 16% a year on unpaid property taxes. See what that looks like over three years.
Read more →Can you sell during the redemption period?
After the foreclosure judgment you still own the house for two years. Here's what that means.
Read more →What happens to your equity?
Oregon's surplus-proceeds law, and why it usually leaves less than a sale would.
Read more →How to stop a tax foreclosure
Every realistic option — paying, deferral, refinancing, and selling — compared honestly.
Read more →Selling with an IRS or state tax lien
How federal and Oregon tax liens get paid or discharged when a house is sold.
Read more →Inherited a house with back taxes?
The county clock doesn't stop for probate. What heirs and personal representatives can do.
Read more →Who pays back taxes at closing?
How delinquent and current-year taxes are settled when a house sells.
Read more →Jackson County tax foreclosure
How the process works for Medford and Jackson County homeowners.
Read more →Josephine County tax foreclosure
The same process for Grants Pass and Josephine County homeowners.
Read more →Senior & disabled tax deferral
Oregon's program that pays your property taxes, and who qualifies in 2026.
Read more →Got a foreclosure notice?
What the county's letter means and five things to do this week.
Read more →Ready to sell?
See how we buy houses with back taxes and tax liens — as-is, with the taxes paid at closing.
See how it works →Quick answers
Counties can begin foreclosure once taxes have been delinquent for three years. After the court judgment, owners have a two-year redemption period before the property is deeded to the county.
1 1/3% per month, or 16% per year, plus a 5% penalty once the account enters the foreclosure process.
Yes. The delinquent taxes are paid from the sale proceeds at closing, so you don't need to pay them first.
Yes. You remain the owner until the property is deeded to the county, and the full payoff can be made from the sale at closing.
Oregon's Property Tax Deferral for Disabled and Senior Homeowners program may pay the taxes on a qualifying home, with a lien repaid later at 6% simple interest. Income and property-value limits apply.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rogue Valley Cash Buyers is not affiliated with any county or government agency; your county tax collector can confirm what you owe.
Probate & inherited house questions › · How selling for cash works ›
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