Tax Lien University

States › West Virginia

In West Virginia, county tax collector's sell tax lien certificates to the winning bidders at the delinquent property tax sales. The winning bidders are those who are willing to pay the most to purchase the tax lien certificate.

Tax Sale Type: Tax Lien Certificate (Sec. 11A-2-10 ).

Contact: County Tax Collector (usually, the sheriff). (Sec. 11A-1-4 ).

Interest Rate and/or Penalty Rate: 12% per annum. (Sec. 11A-3-23 ).

Bid Procedure: Premium bid / highest bid. (Sec. 11A-3-2 ).

Redemption Period: Eighteen (18) months. (Sec. 11A-3-18 ).

Law: West Virginia Code, Chapter 11A, "Collection and Enforcement of Property Taxes."

Additional Notes:

Redemption: According to (Sec. 11A-3-25 ) the premium or surplus portion of the purchasers bid will not draw interest but will be refunded upon redemption.

Applying for a Tax Deed: according to (Sec. 11A-3-19 ) the investor can apply for the deed 'At any time after the thirty-first day of October of the year following the sheriff's sale, and on or before the thirty-first day of December of the same year...' Which is approximately one (1) year following the purchase of the tax lien certificate.

However, according to (Sec. 11A-3-18 (a) ) the tax lien certificate will cease to 'remain a lien thereon for a period longer than eighteen months after the original issuance thereof'. In conclusion, the investor has approximately six (6) months to complete the tax deed process.

Furthermore, according to (Sec. 11A-3-18 (b) ) all 'rights of a purchaser shall be deemed forfeited and expired and no tax deed is to be issued on any tax sale evidenced by a tax certificate of sale where the certificate has ceased to be a lien pursuant to the provisions of this section...'

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