Are Arizona tax sales a good opportunity?

Arizona sells tax lien certificates under Arizona Revised Statutes Title 42, Chapter 18, esp. §§42-18053, 42-18112, 42-18114, 42-18152. Whether a specific sale is a good opportunity depends on the parcels listed, the competition at that county's sale, and your max number — which is why investors research the list, not the headline.

How do I get notified about Arizona tax sales?

Counties publish sale lists on their own schedules — Annual county treasurer tax lien sales in February LienToDeed watches those publications and alerts members when new Arizona properties are listed.

Arizona Tax Sales: What Investors Need to Know This Season

Blog / State spotlights

Arizona tax sales: the season preview

Quick answerArizona sells tax lien certificates for unpaid property taxes. Lien buyers can earn Up to 16% per year, bid down — bidding starts at 16% and the lowest rate wins (0% bids allowed); interest is simple, a fraction of a month counts as a whole month (A.R.S. §§42-18053, 42-18114). Liens struck to the state earn the full 16%. Redemption: Owner may redeem at any time until a court judgment forecloses the right to redeem; the certificate holder may not begin judicial foreclosure until 3 years after the sale, and the lien expires if foreclosure is not commenced within 10 years (A.R.S. §§42-18152, 42-18201) Sales: Annual county treasurer tax lien sales in February Governing law: Arizona Revised Statutes Title 42, Chapter 18, esp. §§42-18053, 42-18112, 42-18114, 42-18152.

What's actually for sale

Arizona sells tax lien certificates. Competition is intense in Maricopa County, where winning rates commonly bid down to 0-3%, vs. the 16% headline rate. Foreclosure is judicial in Superior Court (not an administrative treasurer's deed), and under post-Tyler amendments the owner may request an excess-proceeds sale under §42-18204.

The rate that decides your return

Up to 16% per year, bid down — bidding starts at 16% and the lowest rate wins (0% bids allowed); interest is simple, a fraction of a month counts as a whole month (A.R.S. §§42-18053, 42-18114). Liens struck to the state earn the full 16%

The clock you're investing against

Sale schedule: Annual county treasurer tax lien sales in February

Redemption: Owner may redeem at any time until a court judgment forecloses the right to redeem; the certificate holder may not begin judicial foreclosure until 3 years after the sale, and the lien expires if foreclosure is not commenced within 10 years (A.R.S. §§42-18152, 42-18201)

Where the sales happen

Primarily online via RealAuction on county-specific arizonataxsale.com portals (including Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, Yavapai and Coconino); Cochise County via GovEase; unsold/state-assigned liens resold via Bid4Assets. Lists post on the county's schedule, change as owners redeem, and registration typically closes before sale day — the investors who see the list first set the market.

Watch Arizona lists for me

LienToDeed scans the published lists and texts you when new Arizona properties post — scored, with a max bid or max rate.

Get Arizona alerts

Deep dives: Arizona laws · Arizona investing guide · Arizona sale calendar. Law verified 2026-10-30.