South Dakota
Checked against official sources on 2026-11-01. 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 certificate sale
Statute text
On the third Monday of December in each year, between the hours of nine a.m. and four p.m. the treasurer shall offer at public sale at the courthouse a tax certificate for any real property that is liable for taxes of any description for the preceding year or years, and that remains due and unpaid.
- Interest / penalty
- Maximum rate set by law: 10% a year (the lowest rate bid wins)Each bid states the lowest rate of interest per year at which the bidder will pay the taxes due
Statute text
No rate of interest higher than ten percent per year is a valid bid pursuant to this section.
Statute text
If any person bids the full amount of the taxes, interest, and costs due, stating in the bid the lowest rate of interest per year at which the bidder will pay the taxes assessed and due against the property, the treasurer shall sell and issue to that bidder the tax certificate.
- Redemption
- Until 60 days after the affidavit of completed service of the tax deed notice is filed
Statute text
The right of redemption from the sale does not expire until sixty days after the filing of affidavit of completed service of the notice.
- Bid method
- Lowest rate of interest per year bid
Statute text
If any person bids the full amount of the taxes, interest, and costs due, stating in the bid the lowest rate of interest per year at which the bidder will pay the taxes assessed and due against the property, the treasurer shall sell and issue to that bidder the tax certificate.
- Statute
- SDCL §10-23-8
Statute text
Offer of tax certificate and receipt of bids--Lowest interest rate as best bid--Maximum interest rate
- Auction platform
- County treasurer, at a public sale at the courthouse
Statute text
On the third Monday of December in each year, between the hours of nine a.m. and four p.m. the treasurer shall offer at public sale at the courthouse a tax certificate for any real property that is liable for taxes of any description for the preceding year or years, and that remains due and unpaid.
- Auction timing
- Third Monday of December, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Statute text
On the third Monday of December in each year, between the hours of nine a.m. and four p.m. the treasurer shall offer at public sale at the courthouse a tax certificate for any real property that is liable for taxes of any description for the preceding year or years, and that remains due and unpaid.
Counties 67
- Tax lien
- Tax deed
- Hybrid
- Redeemable deed
Summary
South Dakota county treasurers offer tax certificates at public sale on the third Monday of December each year. A tax deed proceeding may be started after three years from the sale and within six years of the sale (SDCL 10-25-1). Statute: SDCL §10-25-1.
Statute text
On the third Monday of December in each year, between the hours of nine a.m. and four p.m. the treasurer shall offer at public sale at the courthouse a tax certificate for any real property that is liable for taxes of any description for the preceding year or years, and that remains due and unpaid.
Statute text
A proceeding shall be initiated after three years from the date of the tax certificate sale or at any time thereafter within six years from the date of the tax certificate sale
Statute text
Period within which tax deed may be procured.
South Dakota sells tax certificates for real property with unpaid taxes at an annual public sale. The holder of a tax certificate may start a tax deed proceeding after three years from the sale (SDCL 10-25-1). SDCL §10-25-1.
Statute text
On the third Monday of December in each year, between the hours of nine a.m. and four p.m. the treasurer shall offer at public sale at the courthouse a tax certificate for any real property that is liable for taxes of any description for the preceding year or years, and that remains due and unpaid.
Statute text
A proceeding shall be initiated after three years from the date of the tax certificate sale or at any time thereafter within six years from the date of the tax certificate sale
Statute text
Period within which tax deed may be procured.
South Dakota caps the interest rate at 10% a year; no bid above that rate is valid. Bidders state the lowest rate of interest per year at which they will pay the taxes due. SDCL §10-23-8.
Statute text
No rate of interest higher than ten percent per year is a valid bid pursuant to this section.
Statute text
If any person bids the full amount of the taxes, interest, and costs due, stating in the bid the lowest rate of interest per year at which the bidder will pay the taxes assessed and due against the property, the treasurer shall sell and issue to that bidder the tax certificate.
Statute text
Offer of tax certificate and receipt of bids--Lowest interest rate as best bid--Maximum interest rate
Los tesoreros de los condados de Dakota del Sur ofrecen certificados fiscales en venta pública el tercer lunes de diciembre de cada año. El cesionario de un certificado fiscal lo recibe sujeto al plazo del primer titular del certificado. Un procedimiento de escritura fiscal puede iniciarse después de tres años desde la venta y dentro de seis años de la venta (SDCL 10-25-1). Estatuto: SDCL §10-25-1.
Statute text
On the third Monday of December in each year, between the hours of nine a.m. and four p.m. the treasurer shall offer at public sale at the courthouse a tax certificate for any real property that is liable for taxes of any description for the preceding year or years, and that remains due and unpaid.
Statute text
Any assignee of a tax certificate shall take the tax certificate subject to the time period of the first owner of the tax certificate.
Statute text
A proceeding shall be initiated after three years from the date of the tax certificate sale or at any time thereafter within six years from the date of the tax certificate sale
Statute text
Period within which tax deed may be procured.
Dakota del Sur vende certificados fiscales de propiedades con impuestos impagos en una venta pública anual. El titular de un certificado fiscal puede iniciar un procedimiento de escritura fiscal después de tres años desde la venta (SDCL 10-25-1).
Statute text
On the third Monday of December in each year, between the hours of nine a.m. and four p.m. the treasurer shall offer at public sale at the courthouse a tax certificate for any real property that is liable for taxes of any description for the preceding year or years, and that remains due and unpaid.
Statute text
A proceeding shall be initiated after three years from the date of the tax certificate sale or at any time thereafter within six years from the date of the tax certificate sale
Dakota del Sur limita la tasa de interés a 10% anual; ninguna oferta por encima de esa tasa es válida.
Statute text
No rate of interest higher than ten percent per year is a valid bid pursuant to this section.
Key points
- Public sale on the third Monday of December each year
Statute text
On the third Monday of December in each year, between the hours of nine a.m. and four p.m. the treasurer shall offer at public sale at the courthouse a tax certificate for any real property that is liable for taxes of any description for the preceding year or years, and that remains due and unpaid.
- A tax deed proceeding may be started after three years from the sale and within six years of the sale
Statute text
A proceeding shall be initiated after three years from the date of the tax certificate sale or at any time thereafter within six years from the date of the tax certificate sale
For beginners
Harder for beginners: The tax certificate sale and lien are barred if a tax deed proceeding is not completed within six years of the sale.
Statute text
is not completed within six years after the date of the tax certificate sale on which the proceeding is based, the tax certificate sale, the lien for taxes, the lien of any taxes paid by the holder of the tax certificate as subsequent taxes, and all rights thereunder cease and are forever barred
An assignee of a tax certificate takes it subject to the time period of the first owner of the certificate.
Statute text
Any assignee of a tax certificate shall take the tax certificate subject to the time period of the first owner of the tax certificate.
Más difícil para principiantes: La venta del certificado fiscal y el gravamen quedan extinguidos si un procedimiento de escritura fiscal no se completa dentro de seis años desde la venta.
Statute text
is not completed within six years after the date of the tax certificate sale on which the proceeding is based, the tax certificate sale, the lien for taxes, the lien of any taxes paid by the holder of the tax certificate as subsequent taxes, and all rights thereunder cease and are forever barred
El cesionario de un certificado fiscal lo recibe sujeto al plazo del primer titular del certificado.
Statute text
Any assignee of a tax certificate shall take the tax certificate subject to the time period of the first owner of the tax certificate.
Risks
- A tax deed proceeding not completed within six years of the sale is barred, with the certificate and lien
Statute text
is not completed within six years after the date of the tax certificate sale on which the proceeding is based, the tax certificate sale, the lien for taxes, the lien of any taxes paid by the holder of the tax certificate as subsequent taxes, and all rights thereunder cease and are forever barred
- Un procedimiento de escritura fiscal no completado dentro de seis años desde la venta queda extinguido, junto con el certificado y el gravamen
Statute text
is not completed within six years after the date of the tax certificate sale on which the proceeding is based, the tax certificate sale, the lien for taxes, the lien of any taxes paid by the holder of the tax certificate as subsequent taxes, and all rights thereunder cease and are forever barred
Extra due diligence
- Redemption does not end until 60 days after the affidavit of completed service of the notice is filed
Statute text
The right of redemption from the sale does not expire until sixty days after the filing of affidavit of completed service of the notice.
- A person demanding a tax deed must first buy the assignment of all prior tax certificates the county holds on the property
Statute text
The person demanding the tax deed shall purchase the assignment of all prior tax certificates held by the county on the real property before the treasurer may issue the tax deed.
- La redención no termina hasta 60 días después de que se presente la declaración jurada de notificación completa
Statute text
The right of redemption from the sale does not expire until sixty days after the filing of affidavit of completed service of the notice.
- Quien exige una escritura fiscal debe comprar primero la cesión de todos los certificados fiscales anteriores que el condado tenga sobre la propiedad
Statute text
The person demanding the tax deed shall purchase the assignment of all prior tax certificates held by the county on the real property before the treasurer may issue the tax deed.
How to sign up for the auction
Platform: County treasurer
Statute text
On the third Monday of December in each year, between the hours of nine a.m. and four p.m. the treasurer shall offer at public sale at the courthouse a tax certificate for any real property that is liable for taxes of any description for the preceding year or years, and that remains due and unpaid.
- Watch for the treasurer's notice, published once during the week before the sale in the county's official newspapers
Statute text
The treasurer shall give notice of the sale of the tax certificate by publication of the sale once during the week before the sale in the official newspapers of the county.
- The sale is on the third Monday of December; confirm the date and time with the county treasurer
Statute text
On the third Monday of December in each year, between the hours of nine a.m. and four p.m. the treasurer shall offer at public sale at the courthouse a tax certificate for any real property that is liable for taxes of any description for the preceding year or years, and that remains due and unpaid.
- The published notice gives the time and place of the sale and lists the tax certificates to be sold
Statute text
The notice shall include: (1) The time and place of the sale; (2) A list of the tax certificates to be sold on which the taxes of the preceding year or years were unpaid as of the close of business on the first Monday of December
- Bid the full amount of the taxes, interest and costs due, stating the lowest rate of interest per year at which you will pay the taxes
Statute text
If any person bids the full amount of the taxes, interest, and costs due, stating in the bid the lowest rate of interest per year at which the bidder will pay the taxes assessed and due against the property, the treasurer shall sell and issue to that bidder the tax certificate.
Deposit: Confirm with the county treasurer.
Statute text
If any person bidding fails to pay the amount due, the treasurer may again offer the tax certificate for sale if the sale has not been closed.
Platform: Tesorero del condado
Statute text
On the third Monday of December in each year, between the hours of nine a.m. and four p.m. the treasurer shall offer at public sale at the courthouse a tax certificate for any real property that is liable for taxes of any description for the preceding year or years, and that remains due and unpaid.
- Esté atento al aviso del tesorero, publicado una vez durante la semana anterior a la venta en los periódicos oficiales del condado
Statute text
The treasurer shall give notice of the sale of the tax certificate by publication of the sale once during the week before the sale in the official newspapers of the county.
- La venta es el tercer lunes de diciembre; confirme la fecha y la hora con el tesorero del condado
Statute text
On the third Monday of December in each year, between the hours of nine a.m. and four p.m. the treasurer shall offer at public sale at the courthouse a tax certificate for any real property that is liable for taxes of any description for the preceding year or years, and that remains due and unpaid.
- El aviso publicado indica la hora y el lugar de la venta y enumera los certificados fiscales a vender
Statute text
The notice shall include: (1) The time and place of the sale; (2) A list of the tax certificates to be sold on which the taxes of the preceding year or years were unpaid as of the close of business on the first Monday of December
- Ofrezca el monto total de impuestos, intereses y costos adeudados, indicando la tasa de interés anual más baja a la que pagará los impuestos
Statute text
If any person bids the full amount of the taxes, interest, and costs due, stating in the bid the lowest rate of interest per year at which the bidder will pay the taxes assessed and due against the property, the treasurer shall sell and issue to that bidder the tax certificate.
Depósito: Confirme con el tesorero del condado.
Statute text
If any person bidding fails to pay the amount due, the treasurer may again offer the tax certificate for sale if the sale has not been closed.
Over the counter (OTC)
After the sale closes, a certificate unsold for want of bidders is sold by the treasurer at private sale to any person who pays the taxes, penalty and costs due
Statute text
if any tax certificate remains unsold for want of bidders, the treasurer is authorized and required to sell the tax certificate at private sale at the treasurer's office to any person who will pay the amount of taxes, penalty, and costs due on the property
Unsold tax certificates are sold at private sale at the treasurer's office.
Statute text
if any tax certificate remains unsold for want of bidders, the treasurer is authorized and required to sell the tax certificate at private sale at the treasurer's office to any person who will pay the amount of taxes, penalty, and costs due on the property
Los certificados fiscales no vendidos se venden en venta privada en la oficina del tesorero.
Statute text
if any tax certificate remains unsold for want of bidders, the treasurer is authorized and required to sell the tax certificate at private sale at the treasurer's office to any person who will pay the amount of taxes, penalty, and costs due on the property
Platforms
- County treasurer
Statute text
On the third Monday of December in each year, between the hours of nine a.m. and four p.m. the treasurer shall offer at public sale at the courthouse a tax certificate for any real property that is liable for taxes of any description for the preceding year or years, and that remains due and unpaid.
Surplus proceeds
Surplus proceeds of a tax deed sale go to the prior owner of record; if the owner cannot be found within 180 days, they go to the Unclaimed Property Division (SDCL 10-25-39).
Statute text
Any surplus proceeds of the tax deed sale that remain after payment of the taxes, penalty, interest, county liens and other costs, must be returned to the prior owner of record. If the prior owner of record cannot be found within one hundred eighty days, the surplus must be transferred to the Unclaimed Property Division
La lista de condados y las fuentes están en inglés.
Sources
- SDCL § 10-23-7 — checked 2026-11-01
- SDCL § 10-23-8 — checked 2026-11-01
- SDCL § 10-25-8 — checked 2026-11-01
- SDCL § 10-25-1 — checked 2026-11-01
- SDCL § 10-25-16 — checked 2026-11-01
- SDCL § 10-25-10 — checked 2026-11-01
- SDCL § 10-23-2 — checked 2026-11-01
- SDCL § 10-23-3 — checked 2026-11-01
- SDCL § 10-23-9 — checked 2026-11-01
- SDCL § 10-23-12 — checked 2026-11-01
- SDCL § 10-25-39 — checked 2026-11-01
Checked against official sources on 2026-11-01. 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.
Not legal or financial advice. Rules change. Confirm with the county before you bid.