The recent auction of tax-delinquent properties in Van Buren County collected over $31,000 for county and state government, the Commissioner of State Lands announced.
The Land Commissioner’s office conducted the auction of delinquent properties recently at the Van Buren County Courthouse. The auction drew 17 bidders and sold 16 parcels, for a total of $31,561.38 in revenue for Van Buren County and state government.
The Land Commissioner’s office conducts one tax-delinquent land sale per county each year to dispose of land on which the taxes have been past due over two years.
“A small percentage of certified parcels make it to public auction because a majority of the properties certified to our office are redeemed, which means that the back taxes are paid by the original owner,” according to Commissioner John Thurston.
While redemption of property is the preferred method of disposing of tax-delinquent lands, Thurston notes the important role of land sales in returning inactive parcels to the tax rolls.
Registered bidders may purchase land at the auctions. Registration to bid at land sales is free. Upon sale of tax-delinquent property, the Commissioner issues a limited warranty deed to the highest bidder.
Thurston’s office returns delinquent tax and interest collected, whether through redemption or sale, to the county taxing unit just as if the money had been originally collected there.
“In 2013, we returned over $21 million to school districts and county governments,” Thurston said. “Of that, Van Buren County received $72,942.44. This process ensures stable revenues for local public schools.”
Interested Arkansas residents may contact the State Land Office by phone at 501-324-9422, or by email at [email protected] to subscribe to the Catalog of Tax Delinquent Lands, a free quarterly publication listing all parcels offered for sale at auction.