8. Where can I find information about property locations that are included on the list?

You can look up parcel information using the Cleburne County Revenue Commissioner's citizen website,https://cleburne.capturecama.com/ by searching for information included in the list such as owner, address, key number, or parcel ID.

Please note that it is your responsibility to independently research any property in which you are interested to determine property value and whether there are any liens, encumbrances, title defects, etc.

9. When will I be able to register for the tax lien auction?

Bidder registration will be available starting the 3rd Monday in April. During the registration process, participants are encouraged to thoroughly review the instructions regarding setting up payment, frequently asked questions (FAQs), rules, and the provided online training videos.

Please contact the Revenue Commissioner's office at 256-463-2873 with any other questions related to registration or training.

10. What are the payment requirements for the tax lien auction?

We accept the following methods of payment: Cashier's check, money order, cash, credit card, and ACH. A successful bidder must remit full and final payment of funds to the Revenue Commissioner's office no later than one hour before close of business on the final day of the tax lien auction.

NOTE: Payment information must be arranged with the Cleburne County Revenue Commissioner's office prior to you becoming an accepted bidder.

11. What is the bidding process?

A tax lien shall be sold at auction. A lien includes all taxes, interest, penalties, fees, and costs due on the property as of the date of the auction. Bidding is not based on the amount of money the buyers of a tax lien are willing to pay. The amount required to purchase the tax lien is already set. Bids are based on the amount of interest the buyers are willing to accept as full payment on the lien. The lien is sold to the bidder bidding the lowest interest rate on the amount required to be paid to redeem the property from the auction. The beginning interest rate bid shall not exceed a rate of 12%. Additional bids may be made at a rate less than the immediately preceding bid. The bids will be in 1% increments until no bidder continues to bid lower or until the interest rate reaches 0%. Example: If the current bid is 12%, the next acceptable bid will be 11% or lower until bidding stops or reaches 0%.

12. During the auction, what will happen if more than one bidder submits an interest rate bid of 0%?

If the interest rate bid for the property reaches 0% and more than one bidder remains, the winning bid shall be determined by a bidder number being pulled.

13. How much time do I have to bid on each tax lien that is put up for auction?

Each tax lien offered for auction will be open for bidding and until someone makes an opening bid. The next bidder has a chance to bid down if they make a bid prior to the Revenue Commissioner stating "going once, going twice Sold to".

14. What type of document is issued after the tax lien auction?

A bid report and a tax lien certificate. After the tax lien auction is over, "winning" bidders will receive their bid reports with a list of parcel numbers purchased and the corresponding amounts due.

The certificate will include the auction date, lien holder, the assessment year to which the tax lien relates, the amount of all taxes, penalties, interest, fees, and costs due on the property as of the date of the auction, and the interest rate per annum bid on the parcel.

15. What happens to any other encumbrances on the property when I purchase a tax lien?

The sale of a tax lien does not extinguish any deed restriction, deed covenant, easement on or appurtenant to the parcel. A tax lien purchased from the County has higher priority than other existing liens on the property.

16. How will the property owner find out who purchased a tax lien on the property?

Within 10 days after the tax lien auction closes, the Revenue Commissioner will send notice by first class mail to the owner at the address listed in the property assessment, informing that the tax lien has been auctioned. The notice will include the date of the auction and the name and address of the tax lien purchaser.

17. Are there any other expenses related to the auction, in addition to the costs of the lien?

The costs of the lien will include all the cost associated with the auction process including a $20 origination fee and $20 auction fee. A $5.00 tax auction certificate fee will be added to each sale.

18. If I am awarded the tax lien, will I be required to pay subsequent taxes each year?

No, this is entirely optional. The holder of a tax lien certificate has the first right to purchase the tax lien for the subsequent year's delinquent taxes on the property described in the certificate. A holder who exercises this right to pay the subsequent year's taxes is entitled to the same interest rate shown on the previous tax lien certificate.

19. May I transfer or sell my tax lien certificate to someone else?

Yes, a tax lien certificate may be transferred and assigned to another party. Please refer to Alabama Code § 40-10-187(e) for additional information on transferring tax lien certificates.

20. Is ownership in the property transferred to the purchaser of the tax lien?

No, as a tax lien purchaser, you are not acquiring any right, title or interest in the property. You are only purchasing a lien against the property based on delinquent taxes.

If a tax lien that was purchased pursuant to this article is not redeemed and the holder of the tax lien certificate fails to commence a tax lien foreclosure action on or before 10 years from the date of the tax lien certificate the tax lien certificate shall expire and the lien shall become void.

21. If I own property for which a tax lien was auctioned in a prior year, can I pay my current year taxes without paying the holder of the previous year's tax lien?

No, a property owner must redeem all outstanding tax liens on the property before paying the current year taxes due.

22. How do you redeem a tax lien that has been sold at auction?

Tax lien redemptions must be made through the Cleburne County Revenue Commissioner's office. Redemptions can be made any time following the close of the auction, before judgment of foreclosure is entered. Redemption payments must be made in certified funds (cash, cashier's check, money order). In order to redeem, one must pay off the amount of the debt as specified in the tax lien certificate, which consists of delinquent taxes, interest, penalties, fees, and costs, plus the interest due to the purchaser of the tax lien, as specified in the tax lien certificate and a $10 redemption fee.

The following may redeem tax liens: (1) The owner, including a partial owner of less than whole in the real property, or heirs or personal representative; (2) Any mortgagee or purchaser of the property or any portion of the property; or (3) Any person listed under Alabama Code § 40-10-120(a), if the property has been sold for taxes.

Please note, if a tax lien that was purchased pursuant to this article is not redeemed and the holder of the tax lien certificate fails to commence a tax lien foreclosure action on or before 10 years from the date of the tax lien certificate the tax lien certificate shall expire and the lien shall become void.

23. What will be issued by the Revenue Commissioner's office to prove that a tax lien has been redeemed?

Once an application to redeem the tax lien has been made by a person who has the right to redeem, and payment for the amount due has been received, the Revenue Commissioner's office will issue to the redeeming individual a certificate of redemption appended to a copy of the certificate of tax lien, stating the date of redemption, amount paid, and by whom redeemed. The Revenue Commissioner's office will make entries in the record of tax lien auctions of the above, and mail a copy of the redemption certificate to the holder of the tax lien certificate.

24. What happens to the liens that are not sold at the tax lien auction? Can they be purchased over-the-counter directly from the county? Can I purchase them now?

Tax liens that are not sold at auction are held by Cleburne County. Remaining liens can be purchased over-the-counter at the Revenue Commissioner's office for no less than all taxes, interest, penalties, costs, and fees; the interest rate may not exceed 12%. Any tax liens remaining unsold after the auction or sale shall be included in future tax lien auctions or sales until they are sold.

Current year tax liens are not available for purchase because they are not yet delinquent and have not been offered for sale at the annual tax auction. Please contact our office at 256-463-2873 for more information about unsold tax liens.

25. May I receive a list of tax lien certificates through E-mail?

We will be happy to email a list to you, there is no fee associated. Please call our office at 256-463-2873 to provide us with your email address.

26. Does a tax lien that is purchased at auction ever expire?

Pursuant to Alabama Code § 40-10-197, if a tax lien purchased at auction is not redeemed and the holder of the tax lien certificate does not bring a foreclosure action within 10 years from the date of the certificate, the tax lien certificate expires and the lien becomes void.

Please note that alterations to the law may occur regularly; we will update this frequently asked question list as we receive those changes as well as post updates on our website. Suggest to consult with an attorney regarding any question on law or your specific rights.

27. Where can I find a copy of the statutes regarding tax lien auctions in your jurisdiction?