Tax sales - law changing

A head's up to anyone facing a tax sale or looking to purchase at a tax sale, a new Bill changing the law is on its way to the Governor. The following is a synopsis of the new law:

Tax sales. Limits the circumstances under which a tax sale purchaser may terminate the purchase before conclusion and receive a refund of a part of the purchase price. Reduces the amount of the refund. Requires reinstatement and collection of any remaining delinquencies after the terminated purchase. Provides a procedure for searching the records for an alternative mailing address when service of notice of an order for the sale of property for delinquent property taxes is initially unsuccessful. Eliminates an obsolete reference to the dates when a tax sale must be held. Reduces the period before a tax sale may be conducted when property has been offered at sales without success. Prohibits a tax sale purchaser who fails to make payment and complete the sale from participating in the next succeeding tax sale in the county. Permits a tax sale to be conducted by electronic means. Provides that any civil penalty collected because a purchaser fails to pay the bid must be deposited in the county general fund and not the common school fund. Requires a purchaser of property at a tax sale to certify certain additional costs that must be paid by a redeeming property owner not earlier than 30 days after the tax sale. Requires pleadings and motions related to a defense to a judgment and order of sale to be served on the county auditor and county treasurer. Permits a county before August 1, 2007, to use the expedited sale procedures repealed by HEA 1102-2006 for property that failed to sell at a tax sale conducted before 2007.

If the Governor signs the bill, this should take effect on July 1, 2007.