If you cannot pay your property taxes in Bulloch County, you are not out of options. The process after a missed payment is time-sensitive, though, and knowing how it works is the first step to protecting your home.
The short answer: if property taxes stay unpaid, Georgia law allows the property to be sold at a tax sale, and the owner has a right to redeem afterward. Before that point, you may be able to work something out with the county, or sell the property and have the back taxes paid from the proceeds. This guide is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed Georgia attorney.
Start With the Tax Commissioner
The Bulloch County Tax Commissioner administers property tax collection from Statesboro. Your first call should be there. Ask for your exact balance, whether any enforcement steps have started, what payment options the office offers, and which exemptions and deadlines may apply to you. Getting precise numbers early helps every decision that follows.
Georgia Tax Sales and the Right to Redeem
Georgia gives the owner a right to redeem property after a tax sale. Under O.C.G.A. § 48-4-40, you can redeem at any time within 12 months from the date of the sale, and the right to redeem continues after that until it is cut off by the notice described in O.C.G.A. § 48-4-45.
Redeeming costs more than the original tax debt. Under O.C.G.A. § 48-4-42, the amount starts with what was paid for the property at the sale, as shown in the tax deed, plus a premium of 20 percent of that amount for the first year or fraction of a year between the sale and the redemption, and 10 percent for each year or fraction of a year after that, plus other amounts the statute adds. The Tax Commissioner can give you an exact figure.
If a tax sale has already happened, speak with a licensed Georgia attorney right away. Deadlines matter.
Selling Before a Tax Sale
Owing back taxes does not stop you from selling your home. In a typical sale, the closing attorney runs a title search, identifies what is owed against the property, gets payoff amounts, and pays those from the proceeds before sending you what remains. That is why a sale can resolve a tax problem without you finding cash first. Confirm the payoff with the Tax Commissioner and your closing attorney.
Your Options
Contact the Tax Commissioner — Ask about your balance, payment options, and any steps already taken.
Ask about exemptions — Find out which exemptions you may qualify for and what the filing deadlines are.
Sell the property — A sale before a tax sale can pay off the taxes from the proceeds and may leave you with money after the debt is cleared.
If a sale has happened, look at redemption — Ask an attorney and the Tax Commissioner about the 12-month right and the amount required.
Talk to an attorney — A licensed Georgia attorney can review your situation and your deadlines.
Working With a Cash Buyer in Bulloch County
VP Buys Homes buys houses in Statesboro and throughout Bulloch County, including homes with unpaid property taxes. We close with a local closing attorney, who handles the title search and the payoffs as part of the transaction. You do not need to resolve the tax balance before asking for an offer.
If time is short, tell us the date you are working against. Learn more about how the process works, go to our sell page to request a cash offer, or call us at (912) 515-6060.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell my Bulloch County property if I owe back taxes?
Generally, yes. Owing property taxes does not transfer ownership of your home, so you still own it and can sell it. Back taxes are typically found in the title search and paid from the sale proceeds at closing. Ask the Bulloch County Tax Commissioner for your exact balance and confirm the payoff with your closing attorney.
How long do I have to redeem my property after a tax sale?
Under O.C.G.A. § 48-4-40, you can redeem at any time within 12 months from the date of the sale. The right to redeem also continues after that until it is cut off by the notice described in O.C.G.A. § 48-4-45. If a tax sale has already happened, speak with an attorney right away.
How much does it cost to redeem after a tax sale?
Under O.C.G.A. § 48-4-42, the redemption amount starts with the amount paid for the property at the tax sale, as shown in the tax deed, plus a premium: 20 percent of that amount for the first year or fraction of a year between the sale and the redemption, and 10 percent for each year or fraction of a year after that, plus other amounts the statute adds. Ask the Tax Commissioner for an exact figure.
Who should I contact first?
Start with the Bulloch County Tax Commissioner for your exact balance and any options the office offers. For legal advice about a tax sale or redemption, contact a licensed Georgia attorney.