In a nutshell, it works like this:

1. A landowner doesn't pay his/her taxes.
2. The Treasurer's Office advertises the land for 3 weeks in the newspaper, along with a notice giving the time and place for the sale.
3. People show up at the sale and sign up to become a purchaser.
4. The names of all purchasers are mixed and random names are drawn in succession, beginning at 9:00 am.
5. That purchaser can choose an available Parcel.
6. The purchaser pays the amount of the taxes due on the land, plus interest to the date of the sale, plus advertising and Certificate Fees.
7. The county issues the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, entitling the purchaser to a lien on the land.
8. The county distributes the taxes paid by the purchaser to the taxing entities in the county.
9. The landowner has 4 years from the date of the sale to pay the purchaser back his money, including all fees and 18% interest, or the purchaser may apply for a Tax Deed on the land.

How does the tax sale work?
When will the tax sale take place?
What is sold at a tax sale?
How do I find out what's for sale and where it is?
How much does it cost to purchase a certificate at the sale?
What rights to the property does the certificate holder have?
Once I receive a certificate of purchase, what do I have to do?
If the landowner pays the taxes, what do I get back?
How do tax deeds work?
How do I apply for a Tax Deed?