Maine tax sales
lien state
In Maine, property taxes are collected by each municipality, not by counties, and there is no tax sale to investors. Between 8 months and one year after the tax is committed, the tax collector sends the owner a 30-day demand for payment; if the tax is still unpaid, the collector records a tax lien certificate in the registry of deeds, which creates a tax lien mortgage in favor of the municipality. The owner can redeem by paying the tax, interest and costs, and the municipal treasurer must send a notice 30 to 45 days before the foreclosure date. If the lien is not paid within 18 months after filing, the mortgage is deemed foreclosed and the right of redemption expires. When the municipality later sells a foreclosed property, state law requires it to notify the former owner, list the property with a licensed real estate broker at the highest reasonable price, and pay the former owner the sale proceeds left after taxes, interest and costs; if that fails, the municipality may sell in another manner its legislative body authorizes.
Based on: legislature.maine.gov, legislature.maine.gov, legislature.maine.gov, legislature.maine.gov, legislature.maine.gov, legislature.maine.gov, legislature.maine.gov, legislature.maine.gov, legislature.maine.gov, legislature.maine.gov, legislature.maine.gov, legislature.maine.gov
Why we don't list Maine sales
Maine towns and cities don't hold public tax auctions. Unpaid property taxes become a tax lien mortgage held by the municipality, which is foreclosed automatically if it isn't paid within 18 months, and the municipality then sells the foreclosed property itself, generally by listing it with a real estate broker.
Information only, not investment or legal advice. Sale dates, terms and deadlines change; always confirm with the county before you register or bid.
Maine tax sale questions
Does Maine sell tax liens or tax deeds?
In Maine, property taxes are collected by each municipality, not by counties, and there is no tax sale to investors. Between 8 months and one year after the tax is committed, the tax collector sends the owner a 30-day demand for payment; if the tax is still unpaid, the collector records a tax lien certificate in the registry of deeds, which creates a tax lien mortgage in favor of the municipality. The owner can redeem by paying the tax, interest and costs, and the municipal treasurer must send a notice 30 to 45 days before the foreclosure date. If the lien is not paid within 18 months after filing, the mortgage is deemed foreclosed and the right of redemption expires. When the municipality later sells a foreclosed property, state law requires it to notify the former owner, list the property with a licensed real estate broker at the highest reasonable price, and pay the former owner the sale proceeds left after taxes, interest and costs; if that fails, the municipality may sell in another manner its legislative body authorizes.
Why are there no Maine sales on this site?
Maine towns and cities don't hold public tax auctions. Unpaid property taxes become a tax lien mortgage held by the municipality, which is foreclosed automatically if it isn't paid within 18 months, and the municipality then sells the foreclosed property itself, generally by listing it with a real estate broker.
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