Tax Lien State  ·  ARS § 42-18101

Arizona Tax Lien
Investing Guide

Complete county-by-county data for Arizona's tax lien certificate program — interest rates, redemption periods, auction schedules, and direct links to official resources.

Investment type
Lien
Certificate-based
Max interest rate
16%
Per annum
Redemption period
3 yrs
Before foreclosure
Counties
15
All listed below
State overview

How Arizona Tax Liens Work

Arizona is a tax lien state. When a property owner fails to pay property taxes, the county sells the lien to investors at a competitive auction. Investors earn interest while the owner has up to 3 years to redeem.

Auction format

Bid-Down Interest Auction

Arizona uses a bid-down-the-interest format. Investors compete by accepting progressively lower interest rates. The lowest bidder wins the certificate. The statutory maximum starting rate is 16% per annum.

Redemption

3-Year Redemption Period

After purchase, the property owner has 3 years to pay back the investor (the lien amount plus accrued interest). If they do not redeem within this window, the investor may initiate foreclosure proceedings.

Investor return

Interest Accrues Monthly

Interest begins accruing the month after purchase. Even if the certificate is redeemed quickly, Arizona law guarantees a minimum return of 5% of the original lien face value — protecting investors from very short redemptions.

Important rule

Premium Bids Are Not Redeemable

If you overbid (pay more than the lien face value), the premium you paid above the lien amount is forfeited — you only earn interest on the base lien amount. Never overbid at Arizona auctions.

Step-by-step

The Arizona Tax Lien Process

  1. 1
    Research available liensEach county publishes a list of delinquent properties prior to the auction. Review property values, condition, and existing encumbrances before bidding.
  2. 2
    Register for the auctionRegister with your target county treasurer's office. Most Arizona counties now offer online auctions through platforms like RealAuction or Bid4Assets.
  3. 3
    Bid at auctionBidding starts at 16% and is bid down. Place your minimum acceptable interest rate. Properties with no bids are struck to the State at 16%.
  4. 4
    Pay and receive your certificateIf you win, pay the lien amount immediately. You will receive a tax lien certificate — your legal document showing your interest in the property.
  5. 5
    Hold and monitorTrack your certificates. Send required statutory notices if pursuing foreclosure. Most liens redeem within 1–2 years.
  6. 6
    Redemption or foreclosureWhen the owner redeems, you receive your principal plus accrued interest. If unredeemed after 3 years, you may file for a tax deed through the courts.
County database

All 15 Arizona Counties

Search, filter, and sort every Arizona county. Click any row to expand full details including auction platform, contact info, and official links.

Showing 15 of 15 counties
County ↕ Type ↕ Max Rate ↕ Redemption ↕ Population ↕ Auction Platform ↕ Auction Month
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Important disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for educational purposes only and is subject to change. Tax lien laws, interest rates, and auction procedures are governed by county treasurers and may be updated at any time. Always verify current information directly with the county treasurer's office before making any investment decisions. This is not legal or financial advice. Consult a licensed attorney or financial advisor before investing.