Tax Sale Frequently Asked Questions

If a property has unpaid, delinquent taxes, the Collector is required to auction the property at the annual Tax Sale.  In most Missouri counties, including Greene County, properties are offered when taxes are more than one year delinquent as of the last business day in April and have not been paid in full by the day of the sale. (RSMo §140.150 and §140.160)

Fourth Monday of August, 10 AM  (RSMo §140.150)

Greene County Historic Courthouse (940 N Boonville Ave, Springfield, MO) Room 212

The sale is open for public viewing.  Those wishing to bid must register before the sale.

Properties that owe two or more years' delinquent taxes on May 1st of the given year will be offered at the Tax Sale unless all taxes are paid prior to sale.  The list of properties that qualify for Tax Sale is published in the Wednesday edition of the Springfield NewsLeader for three consecutive weeks before the sale, with the last insertion to be at least fifteen days prior to the fourth Monday in August. (RSMo §140.140 (1))

Bidders can find a current list of properties at CivicSource.com (see Investment > Missouri > Greene)

Once published, the property lists will also be available on this site under Resources > Tax Sale.

The owner or any interested parties have the absolute right to redeem a property for one year after the sale.*  In order to redeem, the party must pay the total costs of delinquent taxes and sale fees to the Collector, who will then refund the bidder.  Once redeemed, the Purchase Certificate is released and the bidder has no remaining claim to the property.  (RSMo §140.340)

*The Redemption period for Third Offer sales is 90 days.  There is no redemption period for Post-Third Offer sales. (RSMo §140.250)

Any amount bid in excess of the taxes and sale costs is considered ‘surplus.’  After the sale, records of those funds are maintained by the Commission and they are responsible for distribution.  Surplus can only be released to owners or lienholders.  Unrelated third-parties cannot collect surplus funds.  (RSMo §140.230)

To prevent the sale, all but the most recent year’s taxes must be paid before April 30^th, or all taxes paid by the Friday prior to sale.

April 30^th:  Last day to pay oldest years only
May 1^st:  Tax Sale List created.  Sale fees incurred.
July 1^st:  Additional sale fees incurred.  Payments must be made with certified funds.
August:  Friday before Sale:  Last day to pay taxes before sale.
               Fourth Monday:  Sale Day

The tax sale is a public auction for the purchase of a tax lien on a property.  Bidding will begin at the cost of delinquent taxes and fees.  The highest bidder will receive a Purchase Certificate with the ability to request a deed after the redemption period has expired if all other requirements are met.  (RSMo §140.190, §140.290, §140.405)

• Be a resident or registered business of Missouri
• Not owe delinquent personal property or real estate taxes
• Register (open from August 1st-Thursday prior to sale)
• Otherwise meet the qualifications outlined by RSMo §140.190

Following the sale, the bidder must remit payment for the amount bid before 3:30 PM of the same day.  Payment must in the form of a cashiers check (no cash, card, ACH, personal/business checks).  (RSMo §140.280)

The bidder cannot claim the Collector’s Deed for at least one year after the sale, except in the case of Third or Post-Third Offer Sales.* 

The successful bidder will be issued a Purchase Certificate following the auction and then must perform certain actions as outlined in statute.  Once complete, evidence of those actions must be submitted to the Collector as a Request for Deed. (RSMo §140.405).  If the all requirements have been met, a Collector's deed will be issued.

Possession prior to receiving a deed is described in RSMo §140.310. It is recommended that you consult with your attorney before attempting to enforce any rights granted to you under this section of the statutes.