Massachusetts

Checked against official sources on 2026-10-29. Each statement is tied to the statute or agency page listed under Sources.

Not legal or financial advice. Rules change. Confirm with the county before you bid.

Sale type: Tax title (municipal taking; titles may be assigned at auction)
Statute text
The treasurer of any city or town holding 1 or more tax titles may assign and transfer such tax title or titles, individually or bundled, to the highest bidder after a public auction
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29
Interest / penalty: Maximum rate set by law: 8% interest on the original sum, from the date of saleHolder may petition the Land Court to foreclose redemption 12 months after the sale or taking
Statute text
interest at 8 per cent upon the original sum for which the land was taken or sold, from the date of sale
M.G.L. c. 60, § 62 — checked 2026-10-29
Statute text
may bring a petition in the land court for the foreclosure of all rights of redemption of said land either after 12 months from the sale or taking
M.G.L. c. 60, § 65 — checked 2026-10-29
Redemption: Until a foreclosure petition is filed (petition allowed 12 months after the sale or taking)
Statute text
at any time prior to the filing of a petition for foreclosure under section sixty-five
M.G.L. c. 60, § 62 — checked 2026-10-29
Bid method: Highest bidder for assignment of tax titles, at least the redemption amount
Statute text
The treasurer of any city or town holding 1 or more tax titles may assign and transfer such tax title or titles, individually or bundled, to the highest bidder after a public auction
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29
Statute: MGL Ch. 60
Statute text
Section 62: Land taken or sold for taxes; redemption
M.G.L. c. 60, § 62 — checked 2026-10-29
Auction platform: City or town treasurer, public auction
Statute text
The treasurer of any city or town holding 1 or more tax titles may assign and transfer such tax title or titles, individually or bundled, to the highest bidder after a public auction
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29
Auction timing: Set by each treasurer, after 14 days' published notice
Statute text
after having given 14 days' notice of the time and place of such public auction by publication
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29

Counties 14

Tax lien
Tax deed
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Redeemable deed

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Summary

Massachusetts city and town treasurers may assign tax titles, singly or bundled, at public auction. Redemption is cut off by a Land Court foreclosure petition, allowed 12 months after the sale or taking. Each city or town sets its own rules for land taken for taxes. Statute: MGL c.60 §62.

Statute text

The treasurer of any city or town holding 1 or more tax titles may assign and transfer such tax title or titles, individually or bundled, to the highest bidder after a public auction
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29

Statute text

may bring a petition in the land court for the foreclosure of all rights of redemption of said land either after 12 months from the sale or taking
M.G.L. c. 60, § 65 — checked 2026-10-29

Statute text

Cities and towns may make regulations for the possession, management and sale of land purchased or taken for taxes
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29

Statute text

Section 62: Land taken or sold for taxes; redemption
M.G.L. c. 60, § 62 — checked 2026-10-29

Massachusetts cities and towns take land for unpaid taxes and may assign the tax titles at auction. The owner may redeem until a foreclosure petition is filed. Foreclosure of redemption is by petition in the Land Court. MGL c.60 §62.

Statute text

The treasurer of any city or town holding 1 or more tax titles may assign and transfer such tax title or titles, individually or bundled, to the highest bidder after a public auction
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29

Statute text

at any time prior to the filing of a petition for foreclosure under section sixty-five
M.G.L. c. 60, § 62 — checked 2026-10-29

Statute text

may bring a petition in the land court for the foreclosure of all rights of redemption of said land either after 12 months from the sale or taking
M.G.L. c. 60, § 65 — checked 2026-10-29

Statute text

Section 62: Land taken or sold for taxes; redemption
M.G.L. c. 60, § 62 — checked 2026-10-29

Massachusetts sets redemption interest at 8% on the original sum, from the date of sale. An assignee is paid the assignment amount plus interest at the same rate from the date of assignment. MGL c.60 §62.

Statute text

interest at 8 per cent upon the original sum for which the land was taken or sold, from the date of sale
M.G.L. c. 60, § 62 — checked 2026-10-29

Statute text

in the case of an assignee of a tax title from a town the amount stated in the instrument of assignment with additional interest on the principal amount at said rate from the date of said assignment
M.G.L. c. 60, § 62 — checked 2026-10-29

Statute text

Section 62: Land taken or sold for taxes; redemption
M.G.L. c. 60, § 62 — checked 2026-10-29

Los tesoreros de ciudades y pueblos de Massachusetts pueden ceder títulos fiscales, solos o en lotes, en subasta pública. La redención termina con una petición de ejecución ante el Tribunal de Tierras, permitida 12 meses después de la venta o toma. Cada ciudad o pueblo fija sus propias reglas para la tierra tomada por impuestos. Estatuto: MGL c.60 §62.

Statute text

The treasurer of any city or town holding 1 or more tax titles may assign and transfer such tax title or titles, individually or bundled, to the highest bidder after a public auction
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29

Statute text

may bring a petition in the land court for the foreclosure of all rights of redemption of said land either after 12 months from the sale or taking
M.G.L. c. 60, § 65 — checked 2026-10-29

Statute text

Cities and towns may make regulations for the possession, management and sale of land purchased or taken for taxes
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29

Statute text

Section 62: Land taken or sold for taxes; redemption
M.G.L. c. 60, § 62 — checked 2026-10-29

Las ciudades y pueblos de Massachusetts toman la tierra por impuestos impagos y pueden ceder los títulos fiscales en subasta (MGL c.60 §62). La ejecución de la redención se hace por petición ante el Tribunal de Tierras.

Statute text

The treasurer of any city or town holding 1 or more tax titles may assign and transfer such tax title or titles, individually or bundled, to the highest bidder after a public auction
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29

Statute text

may bring a petition in the land court for the foreclosure of all rights of redemption of said land either after 12 months from the sale or taking
M.G.L. c. 60, § 65 — checked 2026-10-29

Massachusetts fija el interés de redención en 8% sobre la suma original, desde la fecha de venta.

Statute text

interest at 8 per cent upon the original sum for which the land was taken or sold, from the date of sale
M.G.L. c. 60, § 62 — checked 2026-10-29

Key points

Municipality takes the land first; the treasurer may then assign the tax title at auction
Statute text
The treasurer of any city or town holding 1 or more tax titles may assign and transfer such tax title or titles, individually or bundled, to the highest bidder after a public auction
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29
Land Court petition forecloses the right of redemption
Statute text
may bring a petition in the land court for the foreclosure of all rights of redemption of said land either after 12 months from the sale or taking
M.G.L. c. 60, § 65 — checked 2026-10-29
8% interest on the original sum (§ 62)
Statute text
interest at 8 per cent upon the original sum for which the land was taken or sold, from the date of sale
M.G.L. c. 60, § 62 — checked 2026-10-29
Tax titles may be assigned individually or bundled
Statute text
The treasurer of any city or town holding 1 or more tax titles may assign and transfer such tax title or titles, individually or bundled, to the highest bidder after a public auction
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29

For beginners

Harder for beginners: Each town sets its own rules, and foreclosing redemption takes a Land Court petition.

Statute text

may bring a petition in the land court for the foreclosure of all rights of redemption of said land either after 12 months from the sale or taking
M.G.L. c. 60, § 65 — checked 2026-10-29

Más difícil para principiantes: Cada pueblo fija sus propias reglas, y ejecutar la redención requiere una petición ante el Tribunal de Tierras.

Statute text

may bring a petition in the land court for the foreclosure of all rights of redemption of said land either after 12 months from the sale or taking
M.G.L. c. 60, § 65 — checked 2026-10-29

Risks

Foreclosing redemption requires a Land Court petition
Statute text
may bring a petition in the land court for the foreclosure of all rights of redemption of said land either after 12 months from the sale or taking
M.G.L. c. 60, § 65 — checked 2026-10-29

Ejecutar la redención requiere una petición ante el Tribunal de Tierras
Statute text
may bring a petition in the land court for the foreclosure of all rights of redemption of said land either after 12 months from the sale or taking
M.G.L. c. 60, § 65 — checked 2026-10-29

Extra due diligence

Watch for the treasurer's published auction notice (at least 14 days ahead)
Statute text
after having given 14 days' notice of the time and place of such public auction by publication
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29
Plan for a Land Court foreclosure petition before any resale
Statute text
may bring a petition in the land court for the foreclosure of all rights of redemption of said land either after 12 months from the sale or taking
M.G.L. c. 60, § 65 — checked 2026-10-29

Esté atento al aviso de subasta publicado por el tesorero (al menos 14 días antes)
Statute text
after having given 14 days' notice of the time and place of such public auction by publication
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29
Prevea una petición de ejecución ante el Tribunal de Tierras antes de cualquier reventa
Statute text
may bring a petition in the land court for the foreclosure of all rights of redemption of said land either after 12 months from the sale or taking
M.G.L. c. 60, § 65 — checked 2026-10-29

How to sign up for the auction

Platform: City or town treasurer

Statute text

The treasurer of any city or town holding 1 or more tax titles may assign and transfer such tax title or titles, individually or bundled, to the highest bidder after a public auction
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29

Identify your target city or town treasurer
Statute text
The treasurer of any city or town holding 1 or more tax titles may assign and transfer such tax title or titles, individually or bundled, to the highest bidder after a public auction
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29
Watch for the auction notice, published at least 14 days before
Statute text
after having given 14 days' notice of the time and place of such public auction by publication
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29
Ask the treasurer for the list of tax titles offered and the auction rules
Statute text
Cities and towns may make regulations for the possession, management and sale of land purchased or taken for taxes
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29
Bids must be at least the redemption amount
Statute text
provided that the sum so paid for such assignment is not less than the amount necessary for redemption
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29

Deposit: Set by each city or town; confirm with the treasurer.

Statute text

Cities and towns may make regulations for the possession, management and sale of land purchased or taken for taxes
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29

Platform: Tesorero de la ciudad o pueblo

Statute text

The treasurer of any city or town holding 1 or more tax titles may assign and transfer such tax title or titles, individually or bundled, to the highest bidder after a public auction
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29

Identifique al tesorero de su ciudad o pueblo objetivo
Statute text
The treasurer of any city or town holding 1 or more tax titles may assign and transfer such tax title or titles, individually or bundled, to the highest bidder after a public auction
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29
Esté atento al aviso de subasta, publicado al menos 14 días antes
Statute text
after having given 14 days' notice of the time and place of such public auction by publication
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29
Pida al tesorero la lista de títulos fiscales ofrecidos y las reglas de la subasta
Statute text
Cities and towns may make regulations for the possession, management and sale of land purchased or taken for taxes
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29
Las ofertas deben ser al menos el monto de redención
Statute text
provided that the sum so paid for such assignment is not less than the amount necessary for redemption
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29

Depósito: Fijado por cada ciudad o pueblo; confirme con el tesorero.

Statute text

Cities and towns may make regulations for the possession, management and sale of land purchased or taken for taxes
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29

Over the counter (OTC)

Not set by statute; towns set their own rules for land taken for taxes

Statute text

Cities and towns may make regulations for the possession, management and sale of land purchased or taken for taxes
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29

Ask the treasurer about tax titles the town holds.

Statute text

Cities and towns may make regulations for the possession, management and sale of land purchased or taken for taxes
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29

Pregunte al tesorero por los títulos fiscales que tiene el pueblo.

Statute text

Cities and towns may make regulations for the possession, management and sale of land purchased or taken for taxes
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29

Platforms

City and town treasurer offices
Statute text
The treasurer of any city or town holding 1 or more tax titles may assign and transfer such tax title or titles, individually or bundled, to the highest bidder after a public auction
M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29

Surplus proceeds

After foreclosure, excess equity is paid to parties who make a valid claim (M.G.L. c. 60, § 64A).

Statute text

The appraised value shall be used to establish the amount of excess equity, which. shall be paid to any parties who make a valid claim for excess equity as set forth in this section.
M.G.L. c. 60, § 64A(b)(2) — checked 2026-10-29

La lista de condados y las fuentes están en inglés.

Sources

M.G.L. c. 60, § 52 — checked 2026-10-29
M.G.L. c. 60, § 62 — checked 2026-10-29
M.G.L. c. 60, § 65 — checked 2026-10-29
M.G.L. c. 60, § 64A(b)(2) — checked 2026-10-29

Checked against official sources on 2026-10-29. Each statement is tied to the statute or agency page listed under Sources.

County records come from the directory's research files (dated where shown). Always confirm dates, deposits and rules with the county office before you bid. Report an error.