State Land Auction finished but you can still redeem or purchase tax-delinquent property

A recent public auction of tax-delinquent properties across Saline, Grant, Hot Spring, and Perry counties generated nearly $1.4 million in total sales, according to the Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands office. The regional auction drew 142 registered bidders who purchased 231 parcels, returning delinquent properties to active local tax rolls. Read more below.

What already sold?

In Saline County, 328 parcels were offered for sale, with bidders purchasing 160 parcels for a total of $678,467.02. The county sales resulted in $106,636.47 in back taxes collected.

Results from neighboring counties in the regional auction included:

Grant County: 7 parcels offered and 7 sold, generating $87,253.49 total with $5,716.39 in back taxes collected.
Hot Spring County: 66 parcels offered and 53 sold, generating $558,487.68 total with $62,382.29 in back taxes collected.
Perry County: 12 parcels offered and 11 sold, generating $61,200.00 total with $10,972.50 in back taxes collected.

The real estate offered at the auction had taxes delinquent since 2021. Commissioner of State Lands, Tommy Land noted that while the state hopes owners redeem their properties, bringing delinquent land back into active status is essential for local funding.

“Most owners redeem their property by paying the delinquent taxes; we only auction a fraction of the parcels certified for delinquent taxes,” Land said. “Of course, we hope property is redeemed if the owners want to keep it, but it is vital that the parcels return to the county’s active tax rolls.”

Where does the money go, and how much?

Funds collected through redemptions and sales are disbursed back to local county governments and school districts.

According to Mr. Land, the office sent more than $24 million statewide to local entities last year, including $1,046,744.11 across the four counties.

Breakdown of those turnback amounts included:

$629,153.64 for Saline County,
$57,208.13 for Grant County,
$54,704.81 for Hot Spring County, and
$39,810.47 for Perry County.

All public auction sales are final.

How can I redeem?

Property owners wishing to redeem unsold properties can do so online at www.cosl.org using a debit or credit card, or call 501-324-9422 to request a Petition to Redeem. Paying delinquent taxes makes the account current but does not transfer property ownership.