Quick answerDistrict of Columbia sells tax lien certificates for unpaid property taxes. Lien buyers can earn 18% per year (1.5% per month or part thereof) on the amount in the certificate of sale, exclusive of surplus (D.C. Code §§ 47-1306, 47-1361). Redemption: Owner may redeem at any time until the foreclosure judgment is final; the purchaser may file to foreclose the right of redemption after 6 months from the sale and must do so within 1 year or the certificate is void (§§ 47-1360, 47-1370) — commonly described as a 6-month redemption period Sales: Annual real property tax sale, typically in July (the 2026 sale was postponed from July 15 to Aug. 19, 2026) Governing law: D.C. Code §§ 47-1330–47-1385 (real property tax sales), esp. §§ 47-1360, 47-1361, 47-1370; older provisions at §§ 47-1304, 47-1306.