Tax Delinquent Property & Tax Sales
Short answer: Behind on property taxes in KC? Missouri gives you a redemption window after the tax sale; Kansas doesn't. Saving KC buys homes with tax liens, pays the full debt at closing, and you keep your equity. Call Ernest at 816-429-2900.
Behind on property taxes in Kansas City? Here are 12 answers covering tax liens, redemption periods, payment plans, and how to sell before you lose your home.
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Property taxes are stressful enough without having to decode legal jargon. Here are the straight answers to the 12 questions we hear most from KC homeowners behind on taxes.
In Missouri, unpaid property taxes trigger a tax lien sale after three years of delinquency under RSMo Chapter 140. The county sells the lien — not the house — to an investor at auction. The investor pays your back taxes and earns interest.
You then have one year (the redemption period) to pay everything back and keep your home. If you don't redeem within that year, the investor can petition for a collector's deed and take ownership.
Missouri uses a tax lien system with a 1-year redemption period after the sale. Kansas uses judicial tax foreclosure — the county sues you in court, and your property is sold at sheriff's sale with zero redemption after the deed is recorded.
Kansas is significantly harsher. If you own property on the Kansas side (Johnson County, Wyandotte County), you must act before the sheriff's sale. There's no second chance.
Missouri gives you 1 year to redeem after the tax sale. Kansas gives you ZERO days after the sheriff's sale. If you're on the Kansas side, your window closes the day before the sale. Read the full MO vs KS comparison →
Jackson County follows Missouri law — you have exactly 1 year from the date of the tax lien sale to redeem your property. You must pay the full delinquent amount plus the investor's interest and costs.
The Jackson County Collector's office handles redemptions at 415 E 12th St, Kansas City, MO. Call them at (816) 881-3232 for your exact balance.
No. Kansas uses judicial tax foreclosure under K.S.A. 79-2801. Your redemption rights end the day before the sheriff's sale. Once the sheriff's deed is recorded, ownership transfers permanently to the buyer.
There's no getting it back. Johnson County and Wyandotte County both follow this rule. Read Johnson County details →
In Jackson County, yes — before the tax lien sale happens. Contact the Jackson County Collector at (816) 881-3232 to ask about payment arrangements. Once the lien is sold, you must pay the full amount to the lien holder.
In Kansas, contact the county treasurer before the court orders the sale. Payment plans vary by county and aren't guaranteed.
In Missouri, the lien holder earns 10% annual interest on the amount paid. A $3,000 tax bill can grow to $10,000+ in three years with penalties, recording fees, and legal costs. In Johnson County, KS, annual tax bills run $4,000-$6,000 — so three years of debt balloons to $18,000-$25,000.
In Missouri, the county auctions off tax lien certificates at the courthouse. Investors bid on the right to collect your delinquent taxes plus interest. The winning bidder pays the county what you owed. Now the investor holds the lien.
If you don't pay them back within 1 year (plus interest), they petition for a collector's deed. In Kansas, there's no lien sale — the property itself goes to sheriff's sale.
Yes. We buy homes with tax liens all the time. The title company pays off the delinquent taxes, penalties, interest, and any lien holder amounts from the sale proceeds at closing.
You walk away with the remaining equity — clean title, no debt. This is one of the most common situations we handle.
In Missouri, the investor who buys your tax lien earns 10% annual interest on the amount paid. Plus there are penalties, recording fees, and legal costs. A $3,000 tax bill can grow to $10,000+ over three years.
In Kansas, the county adds penalties and court costs — which can be substantial given Johnson County's higher tax bills ($4,000-$6,000/year).
A collector's deed is issued in Missouri after the tax lien redemption period expires and the investor petitions the court. A sheriff's deed is issued in Kansas after a judicial tax foreclosure sale.
Both transfer ownership — but the process is different. Missouri gives you 1 year to redeem after the lien sale. Kansas gives you zero time after the sheriff's sale.
Jackson County Collector: (816) 881-3232 · Clay County Collector: (816) 407-3200 · Johnson County Treasurer: (913) 715-2600
On the Missouri side: Jackson County, Clay County, and Platte County all follow RSMo Chapter 140 — tax lien sale with 1-year redemption.
On the Kansas side: Johnson County and Wyandotte County use judicial tax foreclosure under K.S.A. 79-2801 — zero redemption after the sheriff's sale. Same metro, different states, different rules.
This happens more than you'd think. Someone inherits a house and discovers two years of unpaid taxes. The tax clock doesn't stop for probate. If the property is headed for a tax sale, you need to act fast.
We work with probate attorneys and can structure a sale that clears the tax debt while the estate is still open. Read our probate FAQ →
Yes — as long as the tax sale hasn't already happened. Call 816-429-2900 right now. We buy your home, pay off every dollar of delinquent taxes at closing, and you walk away with your equity in cash.
No scrambling for payment plans. No waiting for the auction. One phone call starts the process.
Your tax debt grows every day. The sale date doesn't wait. Sell before the auction and keep your equity instead of losing everything. Call Ernest: 816-429-2900.
"Two years behind on taxes and the sale notice was in the mail. Ernest closed in 12 days and paid every penny of back taxes. I walked away with cash."
"The Johnson County foreclosure notice scared us to death. Ernest explained everything, made a fair offer, and handled it all. Our family kept our equity."
"I inherited a house with $12,000 in back taxes. Didn't know where to start. Ernest paid the taxes at closing and I got a check the same day."
More help for KC homeowners dealing with back taxes.
5 counties. We pay all back taxes at closing.
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