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Property Tax sales are often misunderstood to represent an absolute sale of land itself. Such is not the case as what is being “sold” at a tax sale is the amount of ad valorem taxes due for that tax year, along with any accrued penalties, interest, or other fees that have accumulated due to their delinquency.

In order to purchase properties at the tax sale you must register as a bidder. This can be done online at www.stpsopayments.com or in person the morning of the sale. Once registered, potential buyers may enter the courtroom with their bidder number along with all other registered bidders.

Starting at 10am on July 29th, delinquent properties are read in the order they appeared in the newspaper ads, which is by jurisdiction (location of property). Any bidder interested in bidding on a property must hold up their assigned bidder number so that a number can be selected at random by STPSO personnel. As there is no guarantee what number will be selected, it is suggested that buyers have several properties picked out in advance to bid on. The tax sale lasts until approximately 4:00 p.m., but could go later or to the next day depending upon the number remaining at that time.

Once a bidder has completed his purchase of properties they must immediately report to the Property Tax Department to pay with certified funds or cash.

Approximately 45 days following the tax sale, successful buyers will be mailed a recorded Tax Sale Certificate listing the property bought. This is the legal document required for the tax sale buyer should they wish to pursue the multi-year process of acquiring ownership of property via the tax lien acquired. Buyers unfamiliar with the myriad of Louisiana Property Tax Laws are strongly recommended to consult with a legal adviser before bidding at a tax sale, since these sales are considered a “buyer beware” environment.