TaxSaleNinja / State Guides / Pennsylvania

Tax Deed

Pennsylvania 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

67 counties

Quiet Title Required in Pennsylvania

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

$1,500–$5,000

Legal Fees

6–18 mo

Timeline

How Tax Sales Work in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has two types of tax sales: upset sales (minimum bid = delinquent taxes + costs; liens survive) and judicial sales (court-ordered; most liens discharged; no minimum bid). After a judicial sale there is no right of redemption. Upset sale purchasers may face surviving liens. Quiet title is recommended. IRS liens survive if the IRS was not properly notified. Sales are typically conducted by the county tax claim bureau.

Quick Due Diligence Checklist for Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania
Search for HOA liens and municipal code violations — these may survive in some counties
Budget for foreclosure costs — required in Pennsylvania to convert a lien to deed
Budget for quiet title action — required in Pennsylvania 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: Pa. Stat. §72 P.S. §5860.101 et seq. (Real Estate Tax Sale Law) · Verified: January 2025 · Always verify current laws directly with the Pennsylvania state statutes and your county treasurer. This is not legal or investment advice.

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