TaxSaleNinja / State Guides / California

Tax Deed

California Tax Sale Laws — Investor Guide

The government transfers the deed directly to the winning bidder at auction.

Redemption Period

No redemption period

Max Interest Rate

N/A

IRS Lien Survives

Yes — verify before bidding

Foreclosure Required

No

Quiet Title Required

Yes

Counties Covered

58 counties

Quiet Title Required in California

Before a title insurer will issue a policy on a tax deed property in California, you'll need to complete a quiet title action.

$1,500–$5,000

Legal Fees

6–18 mo

Timeline

How Tax Sales Work in California

California is a tax deed state. After 5 years of delinquency, the county acquires the right to sell the property via a public auction. The winning bidder receives a county tax deed. There is no post-sale redemption right — once sold, the original owner cannot reclaim the property. The county sets the minimum bid at the amount of delinquent taxes plus penalties and costs. Quiet title is strongly recommended. IRS liens survive if the IRS was not properly notified.

Quick Due Diligence Checklist for California

Verify property is still on the auction list within 48 hours of sale (redemptions happen until the last minute)
Check for federal IRS liens — they survive the tax sale in California
Search for HOA liens and municipal code violations — these may survive in some counties
Budget for foreclosure costs — required in California to convert a lien to deed
Budget for quiet title action — required in California before title insurance will issue
Drive the property or use street view to confirm structure exists and is accessible
Verify assessed value vs. back taxes owed — if taxes exceed assessed value, it may be a junk property
Source: Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §3691 et seq. · Verified: January 2025 · Always verify current laws directly with the California state statutes and your county treasurer. This is not legal or investment advice.

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