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1. When is the next Tax Lien Sale?

The tax lien sale is in February every year. The next sale is on February 23, 2022 beginning at 9 a.m.

2. Where will the sale be held?

The sale will be at the Graham County General Services Building in the Assembly Room, located at:
921 Thatcher Boulevard
Safford, AZ 85546

3. What are the hours of the sale?

The hours are 9 a.m. until completed.

4. Where can I obtain the list of the parcels being offered at the sale?

During February, the list is posted at this site, posted outside our office at:
General Services Building
921 Thatcher Boulevard
Safford, AZ 85546

These are available for purchase from us if you call 928-428-3440 and are advertised in the Eastern Arizona Courier (please call 928-428-2560). In other months, the list of available liens is posted at this site and available at the Treasurer’s Office for review or purchase.

5. Can anyone bid at the sale?

You can only bid if you have registered. You must be registered to bid and have a bidder number.

6. How do I register to bid?

Visit the Treasurer’s Office and complete a Bidder Information Form (online). Get the form at this site and send it to us by email, fax (928-428-3991) or regular mail:
Graham County Treasurer:
P.O. Box 747
Safford, AZ 85548

On the day of the sale each registered bidder will be given a bidder number at the Treasurer’s Office:
921 Thatcher Boulevard
Safford, AZ  85546

7. Does the Treasurer’s Office accept personal checks for payment of bid purchase?

We accept personal checks if the purchaser has previously purchased tax liens. First time purchasers are required to pay with cash, cashier’s check or money order. Call us at 928-428-3440 or visit us at:
921 Thatcher Boulevard
Safford, AZ  85546

8. May we deposit funds with the Treasurer’s Office?

No, you may not.

9. What do the certificates cost the investor?

Certificates sold at the tax sale are $10 per certificate. Certificates sold after the tax sale as assignments include an additional $10 re-assignment fee, however this is included in the certificate purchase and will be included in the redemption amount. Call us at 928-428-3440 for information on how to pay.

10. If all prior years must be re-assigned at the tax lien sale, what will the interest rate be?

The interest rate will be the same as the certificate that is being re-assigned. You may be awarded 10% on the 2015 tax lien, but the 2014 and prior years may be at a different rate and would be assigned at that rate. You may contact the Treasurer’s Office at 928-428-3440 to find out the interest rate on prior years.

11. Does the Treasurer’s Office help in researching parcel information?

The Treasurer’s Office does have a Public Access Terminal that may be used for research. 

12. If the bidder overpays, when is a refund issued?

We will process all refunds as soon as possible. It is recommended that you pay the exact amount to avoid overpayments. Refunds will be issued within two weeks of the sale.

13. What if a bidder underpays?

We will not accept underpayments.

14. If a foreclosure is necessary, will the county assist in this proceeding?

Judicial Foreclosure actions are initiated and executed at the expense of the investor. The county has no part in this proceeding.

15. Where can I obtain copies of the Arizona Revised Statutes pertaining to tax liens?

This information may be obtained at the Arizona State Legislature website.

16. What is the difference between a Tax Lien Sale and a Tax Deed Sale?

When you purchase a tax lien, you are not purchasing the property.  You are purchasing a lien against the property.  A tax lien holder is then eligible to receive interest back on the payment when the taxes are paid by the homeowner.  A tax lien holder has no rights to the property.  However, if the homeowner does not pay the taxes within a certain amount of the time, the lien holder can attempt to foreclose on the property to force payment or obtain a deed.  The Treasurer’s website has more information on this process.

When you purchase a property through a Tax Deed Sale, the property has already been through a tax lien sale and due to non-payment over several years has been deeded to the State of Arizona. These properties are available for the first time in December and then available over the counter throughout the year.  Once the tax deed process is complete a deed is issued to the purchaser.  The deed is issued WITHOUT WARRANTY.  The County does not warrant the title and the property is deeded AS IS.