The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 32 : Taxation and Finance

Chapter 133 : Assessment and Collection of Taxes

Subchapter 009 : DELINQUENT TAXES

• § 5260. Redemption

  (a) When the owner, lien holder, or mortgagee of lands sold for taxes, the owner’s, lien holder’s, or mortgagee’s representatives or assigns, within one year from the day of sale, pays or tenders to the collector who made the sale or in the case of the collector’s death or removal from the town where the land lies, to the town clerk of such town, the sum for which the land was sold with interest thereon calculated at a rate of one percent per month or fraction thereof from the day of sale to the day of payment, a deed of the land shall not be made to the purchaser, but the money paid or tendered by the owner, lien holder, or mortgagee or the owner’s, lien holder’s, or mortgagee’s representatives or assigns to the collector or town clerk shall be paid over to such purchaser on demand. In the event that a municipality purchases contaminated land pursuant to section 5259 of this title, the cost to redeem shall include all costs expended for assessment and remediation, including expenses incurred or authorized by any local, State, or federal government authority.

  (b) During the redemption period, the tax collector shall:

  (1) Serve the delinquent taxpayer with the written notice required under subsection (c) of this section between 90 and 120 days prior to the end of the redemption period using certified mail requiring a return receipt, directed to the last known address of the delinquent taxpayer. If the notice by certified mail is returned unclaimed, notice shall be provided by resending the notice by first-class mail or by personal service pursuant to Rule 4 of the Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure.

  (2) Post the notice in some public place in the municipality between 90 and 120 days prior to the end of redemption period.

  (c) The tax collector shall enclose the following statement, with directions to a resource translating the notice into the five most common non-English languages used in this State, with every notice required under this section: Warning: There are unpaid property taxes at (address of property), which you may own, have a legal interest in, or may be contiguous to your property. The property was sold at public auction on (date). Unless the overdue taxes, fees, and interest are paid by (last day of redemption period), the deed to the property will transfer to purchaser. To redeem the property and avoid losing your legal interest, you must pay (dollar amount due for redemption). The amount you must pay to redeem the property increases every month due to interest, mailing costs, and other costs. To make payment or receive further information, contact (name of tax collector) immediately at (office address), (mailing address), (email address), and (telephone number).

  (d) The resource for translation of the notice required under subsection (c) of this section shall be made available to all municipalities by the Vermont Department of Taxes. (Amended 1989, No. 119, § 21, eff. June 22, 1989; 2005, No. 81, § 2; 2023, No. 106 (Adj. Sess.), § 6, eff. May 13, 2024.)