ARKANSAS, USA — The 2024 delinquent property tax auctions began in Fort Smith on July 9, kicking off the auction season.
Parcels in Crawford, Franklin, Logan, Scott, and Sebastian counties were up for auction on Tuesday.
Justin Phillips, the director of real estate for the Commissioner of State Lands, said each property up for grabs has been delinquent for at least four years.
"Our properties are acquired from all 75 counties," Phillips said. "They've been delinquent two years, and then they're certified to our office. We hold on to them for another two or two-and-a-half years before they finally make it to auction, if they have not been redeemed before then."
Phillips said money from the sales eventually come back to the county.
The previous owner can file for excess proceeds that is over any amount over the taxes, penalty, and interest that the commission collects.
The Fort Smith auction was one of two to be held this week. The next auction will be on July 11 in Pulaski County at Barton Coliseum on the state fairgrounds.
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