Losing Real Estate at Tax Sale
Shortly after Januагу 1, county delinquent tax collection authorities will start notifying some Pennsylvania property owners that they are delinquent in the payment of their real estate taxes. Eventually, that real estate will be sold at tax sale if the taxes remain unpaid. If you receive a delinquent tax notice in the upcoming months, don’t delay-resolve the payment promptly, and make sure you have paid the taxes in full.
If you receive a delinquent tax notice in the upco na ing months, don’t delay-resolve fhe payinent pronpfly, and make sure you have paid the faxes in fill.
A Pennsylvania widow was shocked to learn that she had lost her home at tax sale, and she was successful in her appeal to challenge the sale. The widow pleaded difficulty with managing her financial affairs, including her real estate taxes, because her husband had customarily taken care of them. When he died, she had used the life insurance proceeds to pay off the hone mortgage, but she failed to pay part of the delinquent taxes. She then received a delinquent tax bill for S897.19 with penalties and interest, which she promptly paid in full. Yet because interest of $6.90 was accruing each month, and because another interest charge was imposed after she mailed her check, she was left with a balance due of S6.90. Several months later, the tax collection bureau billed her $28.25, a sum consisting of the interest balance of S6.90, plus postage and costs. The widow didn’t pay the $28.25.
The following year, the widow again paid her taxes late, and the total due, with penalties and interest, was S3,990. 03. The bill did not include the previous year’s balance of S28.25, and the tax collection bureau apparently did not send any further requests for the S28.25 from the previous year.
Because the $28.25 was more than a year overdue, and because it caused the widow’s home to be on the delinquent tax list, her home went up for tax sale and was purchased by a bidder. When she discovered what had happened, she immediately requested a hearing to set aside the sale. The county court simply reviewed the record, found the sale legal, and denied her any relief.
On appeal, the appellate court reversed the county court, finding that fundamental state and federal unconstitutional. Principles of constitutional law demand “the most rigorous due process standards’ when government deprives an owner of property. The widow was entitled to a hearing in which the collection bureau was responsible to prove that she had had actual notice of the scheduled sale. The appeals court returned the case to the county for further hearing and proof.
Notices from tax collection authorities must be taken very seriously by property owners. In order to hold all property owners accountable for paying their real estate taxes, Pennsylvania law provides for an orderly process for the forced sale of real estate burdened by delinquent taxes. Be sure your real estate taxes are current, and if they are not, pay careful attention to all notices regarding your delinquent taxes. If you have actual notice of a tax sale—even if you think the sale is a mistake-don’t ignore the notice. You could lose your property.