Central Florida Tax Delinquencies Double Over Last Two Years

In Orlando, Florida, WFTV Channel 9 reports:

• As Central Floridians still struggle to pay what many call out-of-control property taxes, Channel 9 has learned the number of tax delinquencies has more than doubled in the last two years. Orange County Deputy Tax Collector Sarah Whittington says more than 40,000 property owners have not paid up this year. The top 10 alone account for $3.8 million in revenue.

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• In the end, local counties will get their money because state law allows someone else to pay unpaid taxes then charge the property owner's interest. The catch is the person who pays the back taxes can force a foreclosure just two years after purchasing what's called a tax certificate on a home, or in the case of the top 10, the high dollar properties like an unfinished International Drive resort.

• Whittington said, “They know the taxes will be paid and they know that they're safe for two years before anyone will do anything about the property or force a tax deed sale.” That could be the real reason behind the top 10 list. For big companies, not paying taxes really equates to a low interest, five-percent loan for those millions of dollars.

For the story, see Tax Delinquents Not Paying Millions To County.

Go here for the Orange County, Florida Tax Collector's top 10 list of tax stiffs.

Go here for other municipalities dealing with delinquent real estate taxes. delinquent tax problem