Tax Sale in Tippecanoe County, Indiana
Last Updated: August 2026
Properties with seriously delinquent property taxes may eventually be offered through Tippecanoe County’s tax sale process.
A tax sale is not the same as a foreclosure or Sheriff’s Sale, and buying at a tax sale does not normally mean the buyer immediately owns the property.
Quick Answer
Tippecanoe County conducts tax sales for qualifying properties with delinquent taxes and special assessments.
At a standard tax sale, the successful bidder generally purchases a tax sale certificate, not immediate ownership of the property.
The property may still be redeemed during the applicable redemption period.
2026 Tippecanoe County Tax Sale
Tippecanoe County has published its 2026 Tax Sale advertisement.
The list of properties can change before the sale as taxes are paid, properties are removed, or eligibility changes.
For the most current list and auction information, use Tippecanoe County’s tax sale page and its tax-sale vendor, SRI.
→ View Tippecanoe County’s 2026 Tax Sale Information
→ Check Current SRI Tax Sale Listings
Who Handles Tax Sales?
Different county offices handle different parts of the process.
Tippecanoe County Treasurer
The Treasurer handles property tax collection and delinquent taxes.
20 N. 3rd Street, 2nd Floor
Lafayette, IN 47901
Phone: 765-423-9273
Tippecanoe County Auditor
For tax sale redemption information or information about taking title, Tippecanoe County specifically directs people to the Auditor’s Office.
20 N. 3rd Street, 2nd Floor
Lafayette, IN 47901
Phone: 765-423-9207
→ Tippecanoe County Tax Sale Information
Tax Sale vs. Sheriff’s Sale
These are not the same thing.
Tax Sale
Generally involves property with delinquent property taxes or special assessments.
A successful bidder generally receives a tax sale certificate and must follow Indiana’s tax-sale process before potentially obtaining a tax deed.
Sheriff’s Sale
Generally involves real estate being sold as part of a mortgage foreclosure or other court-ordered process.
Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Sales are handled separately.
→ Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Sales
If you’re researching a particular property, make sure you know which type of sale you’re looking at.
What Does a Tax Sale Buyer Actually Buy?
At a standard Indiana tax sale, the successful bidder generally receives a certificate of sale.
That is not the same as immediately receiving a deed to the property.
The owner or another eligible party may still redeem the property during the applicable redemption period.
If the property is not redeemed, the certificate holder must follow Indiana’s notice, court and tax-deed requirements before obtaining title.
Redemption Period
For many properties sold at a standard Indiana tax sale, the redemption period is generally one year from the date of sale.
However, not every tax-sale certificate has the same redemption deadline. Different rules can apply depending on the type of sale and what happened to the property at the sale.
If your property has already been involved in a tax sale, do not calculate the deadline yourself or rely on a general one-year rule.
Contact the Tippecanoe County Auditor at 765-423-9207 and ask for the redemption deadline for your specific parcel.
→ Tippecanoe County Tax Sale Information
How Much Does It Cost to Redeem?
Redeeming a property after tax sale generally costs more than simply paying the original overdue tax bill.
For a standard Indiana tax sale, the amount can include:
- A statutory percentage of the minimum bid
- Amounts associated with the purchaser’s bid
- Subsequent property taxes or special assessments paid by the purchaser
- Certain allowable costs incurred by the purchaser
- Other amounts required under Indiana law
For a standard sale, Indiana’s redemption calculation generally includes 110% of the minimum bid when redeemed within the first six months or 115% when redeemed after six months but within one year, plus other applicable amounts.
The exact redemption amount depends on the property and sale.
Do not calculate your own payoff from these percentages.
Contact the Tippecanoe County Auditor for the official redemption amount.
Phone: 765-423-9207
→ Tippecanoe County Tax Sale Information
If Your Property Is Listed for Tax Sale
Act as soon as possible.
Contact the Tippecanoe County Treasurer to find out:
- How much is currently owed
- Whether the property is scheduled for tax sale
- What payment methods are available
- What must be paid to prevent the sale, if still possible
Treasurer: 765-423-9273
Properties involved in the real estate tax sale may have different payment restrictions than ordinary property tax accounts.
→ Tippecanoe County Accepted Property Tax Payments
If Your Property Has Already Been Sold
If the tax sale has already occurred, contact the Tippecanoe County Auditor immediately.
Ask for:
- Your redemption deadline
- The current redemption amount
- Instructions for redeeming the property
- Whether additional purchaser costs have been certified
- Information about the tax-sale certificate
Auditor: 765-423-9207
→ Tippecanoe County Tax Sale Information
Waiting can increase the amount required to redeem and may eventually result in loss of the right to redeem.
Can You Stay in the Property During Redemption?
A standard tax-sale purchaser does not ordinarily receive immediate ownership merely by winning the tax sale.
A tax deed requires additional statutory steps after the applicable redemption period.
However, individual situations can differ significantly.
If your home has been sold at tax sale and you’re concerned about ownership or possession, contact the Auditor and consider obtaining legal advice about your particular situation.
What Happens If the Property Is Not Redeemed?
If the applicable redemption period expires without redemption, the tax-sale certificate holder may seek a tax deed.
Getting a tax deed is not automatic simply because the bidder won the auction.
Indiana requires additional steps, including statutory notices and a court process.
If those requirements are satisfied, a tax deed may eventually transfer ownership to the certificate holder.
Thinking About Buying at a Tax Sale?
Tax-sale properties should not be treated like ordinary real estate purchases.
Before bidding, research the property carefully.
Potential issues can include:
- Property condition
- Occupancy
- Access
- Title issues
- Environmental problems
- Demolition or code-enforcement issues
- Other liens or interests
- Incorrect or incomplete property descriptions
The county does not guarantee that a tax-sale property is suitable for your intended use.
Prospective bidders should review the current sale terms and conduct their own due diligence.
→ Current SRI Tax Sale Information
Commissioners’ Certificate Sale
Tippecanoe County also conducts Commissioners’ Certificate Sales involving certain severely delinquent properties that did not sell through the regular tax-sale process.
This is not the same as the regular annual tax sale, and different redemption rules may apply.
Tippecanoe County held a Commissioners’ Sale on April 23, 2026.
→ Tippecanoe County Commissioners’ Sale Information
→ Check Current SRI Sale Information
For Commissioners’ Sale redemption or title questions, contact the Auditor at 765-423-9207.
Local Tip
If you’re the property owner, don’t rely on a general statement such as “you have a year.”
The type of sale matters, and some Indiana tax-sale situations have much shorter redemption periods.
Call the Tippecanoe County Auditor at 765-423-9207 and ask for the redemption deadline and amount for your specific parcel.
If you’re a potential bidder, don’t assume you’re buying a house that you can immediately move into or resell. A tax-sale certificate and a deed are two very different things.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the winning bidder immediately own the property?
Generally, no. At a standard tax sale, the bidder receives a tax-sale certificate. Additional steps are required before a tax deed can be issued.
How long do I have to redeem my property?
Many standard Indiana tax-sale properties have a one-year redemption period, but important exceptions exist.
Contact the Tippecanoe County Auditor for the deadline for your particular property.
Phone: 765-423-9207
Can I redeem after the property has been sold?
Potentially, yes, if the applicable redemption period has not expired.
→ Tax Sale & Redemption Information
Do I just pay the taxes that were originally overdue?
No. The statutory redemption amount can include additional percentages, subsequent taxes, purchaser costs and other required amounts.
Get the official payoff amount from the Auditor.
Is a tax sale the same as a Sheriff’s Sale?
No. Tax sales involve delinquent property taxes and special assessments. Sheriff’s Sales generally involve foreclosure or another court-ordered sale.
Where can I see the current tax-sale list?
Tippecanoe County posts tax-sale advertisements and directs visitors to SRI for the most current listings.
Related Pages
→ GIS Maps
Official Resources
Tippecanoe County
→ Commissioners’ Sale Information
Tax Sale Listings
Indiana Law
Indiana tax sales are governed primarily by Indiana Code Article 6-1.1, Chapters 24 and 25.
Summary
Tippecanoe County tax sales involve properties with qualifying delinquent property taxes or special assessments.
At a standard tax sale, the successful bidder generally receives a tax-sale certificate rather than immediate ownership. Many properties have a one-year redemption period, but important exceptions can result in a shorter period or different rules.
If your property is listed for sale, contact the Tippecanoe County Treasurer at 765-423-9273. If it has already been sold and you need redemption or title information, contact the Tippecanoe County Auditor at 765-423-9207.
Always verify the deadline and redemption amount for the specific property rather than relying on general tax-sale rules.