Indiana vs Iowa Tax Lien Investing (2026)
Indiana and Iowa score evenly overall (6.4/10 each). Your choice hinges on which dimension matters most — the biggest gap is effective yield (Indiana 6, Iowa 8).
- System:
- lien
- Max rate:
- 10%/15% flat penalty on min bid + 5%/yr on overbid (premium bidding, not bid-down)
- Redemption:
- 1yr
- System:
- lien
- Max rate:
- 2%/month 24%/yr
- Redemption:
- 1yr 9mo
Head-to-head: 9 dimensions
10-15% flat penalty on min bid inside 1yr; 5%/yr overbid drags blended yield
2%/mo (24%/yr) never bid down; bidding is on % ownership instead
Flat 10% (redeemed ≤6mo) / 15% (6-12mo) of min bid regardless of day
Fraction of a month counts as a full month; otherwise straight interest
1yr from sale; 120 days at commissioners' certificate sales
1yr9mo before 90-day expiration notice can be served (~2yr total)
Many counties run fall sales online via SRI/Zeus Auction
Annual June sale in all 99 counties; many now run online
Premium bidding pushes overbids up in Marion/Lake; rural sales thinner
Funds flood registrations; random allocation with 1%-ownership bids
Min bids often a few hundred dollars of taxes plus costs
Certificates from a few hundred dollars; subsequent taxes also earn 24%
IC 6-1.1-25-4.5/4.6 notices + court petition; defects forfeit the deed
90-day notice then deed; undivided-interest wins complicate title
IC 6-1.1-24/25 framework stable with periodic tweaks
Ch.446-448 sale/redemption mechanics stable for decades
Commissioners' certificate sales resell leftovers at reduced min bids
Adjourned/public-bidder certificates assignable from county treasurers
Choose Indiana if…
- you want stronger redemption speed — 1yr from sale; 120 days at commissioners' certificate sales
Choose Iowa if…
- you want stronger effective yield — 2%/mo (24%/yr) never bid down; bidding is on % ownership instead
- you want stronger process safety — 90-day notice then deed; undivided-interest wins complicate title