County News # 1Marshall County Officials held their annual delinquent property tax sale on  October 01, 2020.   The sale was conducted by County Auditor Julie A. Fox and County Treasurer Angela C. Birchmeier.

A property tax sale is required to be held in each Indiana county for those properties where an owner of real estate fails to pay the property taxes from the prior year’s  first property tax bill installment.  A tax lien on the property may be sold to satisfy the tax  obligation to the highest bidder.  The owners of the properties sold at the tax sale have one year to pay the delinquent property taxes, costs and penalties to keep the property.  The sale, conducted by Indianapolis-based SRI Incorporated on behalf of Marshall County, offered 44 parcels to 15 bidders.

This year’s tax sale resulted in the collection of $50,609.95 from owners and buyers.  80 parcels had all taxes, penalties, and costs paid in full.  Treasurer Angela C. Birchmeier said, “Tax sales are a necessary function of county government.  It is only fair to the people who pay  their property taxes every year to pursue those that do not pay.”

For the 22 properties that did not sell, the county commissioners acquire a tax lien.  The  county commissioners may offer those properties to the public at a sale at a later date.  County Auditor Julie A. Fox commented, “It is our ultimate goal to return these properties to the tax rolls as quickly and efficiently as possible.  Property owned by people that pay their property taxes ensure our local government services are fully funded.”

For more information on property tax sales, visit www.sriservices.com.