TaxLienSimple

The TaxLienSimple Index / District of Columbia

The TaxLienSimple Index · DC · 2026

District of Columbia Tax-Lien & Tax-Deed Investing

What District of Columbia statute actually pays — return, redemption and bid method — cross-referenced with the live auction inventory we track. Every figure traces to state law or a county source.

Statutes verified Jul 29, 2026

58 /100
Tier B National rank #10 of 51
The TaxLienSimple Index is a 0–100 research guide built from statutory terms and the inventory we track — not a yield, a guarantee, or investment advice. Realized returns depend on competition, redemption and your own due diligence. Verify every figure with the county before bidding.
Sale type
Tax Lien
Statutory return / penalty
18%/yr (1.5% per month)
Redemption period
6 months (before the buyer may file to foreclose the right of redemption)
Bid method
premium bid
Sale season
Annual, commonly July
What you buy
Tax lien certificate sale

Statutory note. OTR sells the tax-sale certificate; owner redeems by paying the certificate amount plus 18%/yr interest. Buyer must foreclose in Superior Court after the 6-month period (D.C. Code §§47-1304, 47-1306).

2,143live parcels tracked
1counties with inventory
#10of 51 jurisdictions
Read the score correctly. The TaxLienSimple Index is a 0–100 research guide built from statutory terms and the inventory we track — not a yield, a guarantee, or investment advice. Realized returns depend on competition, redemption and your own due diligence. Verify every figure with the county before bidding.

Counties we track in District of Columbia

#CountyTaxLienSimple IndexLive parcels
1 District of Columbia County B 61 2,143

District of Columbia tax sale — FAQ

What is the TaxLienSimple Index for District of Columbia?

District of Columbia scores 58/100 (Tier B), ranked #10 of 51 jurisdictions. The TaxLienSimple Index is a 0–100 research guide built from statutory terms and the inventory we track — not a yield, a guarantee, or investment advice. Realized returns depend on competition, redemption and your own due diligence. Verify every figure with the county before bidding.

How does redemption and return work in District of Columbia?

18%/yr (1.5% per month) Redemption period: 6 months (before the buyer may file to foreclose the right of redemption). OTR sells the tax-sale certificate; owner redeems by paying the certificate amount plus 18%/yr interest. Buyer must foreclose in Superior Court after the 6-month period (D.C. Code §§47-1304, 47-1306).

What is District of Columbia's statutory return on a tax lien or tax deed purchase?

18%/yr (1.5% per month) OTR sells the tax-sale certificate; owner redeems by paying the certificate amount plus 18%/yr interest. Buyer must foreclose in Superior Court after the 6-month period (D.C. Code §§47-1304, 47-1306).

What is the bid method for District of Columbia tax sales?

District of Columbia uses a premium bid method for its tax lien sales.

Does District of Columbia use tax-lien auctions or tax-deed sales?

District of Columbia uses a tax lien system. OTR sells the tax-sale certificate; owner redeems by paying the certificate amount plus 18%/yr interest. Buyer must foreclose in Superior Court after the 6-month period (D.C. Code §§47-1304, 47-1306).

See the actual parcels in District of Columbia

Browse the live tax-lien, deed and foreclosure inventory we track — search by county, redemption window and opening bid.

Browse live auction inventory →  ·  District of Columbia tax delinquent property list →  ·  District of Columbia state guide →  ·  Set a max bid →  ·  Academy: what a tax lien actually is →
The TaxLienSimple Index is a 0–100 research guide built from statutory terms and the inventory we track — not a yield, a guarantee, or investment advice. Realized returns depend on competition, redemption and your own due diligence. Verify every figure with the county before bidding.

© 2026 TaxLienSimple · The TaxLienSimple Index is compiled from state tax statutes and county treasurer/tax-collector offices; live inventory counts reflect parcels currently tracked by TaxLienSimple and update continuously. Nothing here is investment or legal advice.