Q: What does Certified to the State mean?
A: Your taxes were sent to the State Auditor’s Office for the collection of nonpayment of real estate taxes.
Q. When was my property Certified to the State?
A. All real estate tax tickets that are mailed out by the Sheriff’s Tax Office on July 15 that are non-paid by November 1 st of the following year will be certified to the State Auditor’s office. Example: The 2021 tax ticket mailed on July 15, 2021, will be certified November 1, 2022. The Auditor’s Office will certify the property for auction on March 1, 2023. The land sale will occur after March 1, 2023 and additional fees will be added.
Q. What tax years are included in the redemption?
A. You will be required to pay two years of taxes with interest and charges due on the date of redemption. In addition, you will be required to pay a redemption fee of seven and one half percent of the total taxes, with a maximum of $120.00.
Q. When will my property be held for public auction by the WV State Auditor’s Office?
A. Beginning March 1, following the year of certification to our office, the property will be certified for public auction. After being certified, the property may be sold at an Auditor’s sale. All sales will take place in each respective County. .
Q. Can I use a personal check?
A. Payment can be remitted in the form of cashier’s check, money order, personal check or credit card.
Q. Do I need to return the statement with the payment?
A. Yes, the statement MUST be returned with the payment. Your payment may be rejected and processing will be delayed.
Q. Does this amount change?
A. Yes, the interest will change the first of every month. Additional fees will occur once the property is sold.
Q. Do I need to fill out an affidavit?
A. The affidavit will need to be filled out and notarized if the name of the person redeeming the property is different from the name that was on the delinquent tax ticket or current tax ticket.
For example, if the tax ticket was delinquent in the name of John Doe, and you are not John Doe, then an affidavit will need to be completed and notarized. Should you receive a certified letter addressed to you from the West Virginia State Auditor’s office an affidavit is not required.
Q. Where do I remit payment?
A. The payment is returned to the West Virginia Auditor’s Office in Charleston, at address will be located the bottom of the statement.
Q. Can I pay this online?
A. You may pay with a credit card on our website at www.wvsao.gov. The credit card company will charge a convenience fee. The convenience fee is nonrefundable by our office if the transaction is required to be refunded.
Q. Will I receive anything back once my redemption is processed?
A. Yes, You will receive a certificate of redemption that will act as your receipt. This information will also be sent to the local County Officials.