Quick answer: In Sedgwick County, a house becomes eligible for the county’s tax foreclosure auction once its property taxes are about 3½ years delinquent (Sedgwick County Treasurer), or 2½ years for vacant lots (tax foreclosure auctions). You can stop it by paying all the back taxes, interest, and fees by close of business the day before the sale, or by selling the house and paying the taxes off at closing.
We’re not attorneys or tax professionals. This guide comes from our own research and experience buying houses in Wichita. We’re happy to support you through the process, but you should always talk with an attorney to guide you through a tax foreclosure.
When are Sedgwick County property taxes due?
Tax statements go out each November. The first half (or the full amount) is due December 20, and the second half is due May 10 of the next year (Sedgwick County Treasurer). Taxes not paid by those dates are delinquent the next day and start collecting interest. For 2026, the interest rate on delinquent real estate taxes is 13% a year.
The timeline: from a missed payment to an auction
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| December 20 | First half of the year’s taxes is due. Unpaid amounts are delinquent on December 21 and start collecting interest. |
| May 10 | Second half is due. |
| Each following year | The unpaid taxes, interest, and fees keep adding up, and new taxes come due on top. |
| About 3½ years delinquent | The county can include the house in its tax foreclosure case (2½ years for vacant lots). |
| Once the case is filed | Foreclosure fees are added. Starting October 1, 2026, the first assessment is $400 per parcel. To stop the case, you must pay every delinquent year in full, with interest and fees, in cash or certified funds. |
| Sale date | The county announces the sale date ahead of time. The property sells to the highest bidder. |
For example, the county’s notice for its 2027 cases tells owners to pay delinquent taxes through tax year 2022 (2023 for lots) right away to avoid foreclosure (Sedgwick County Treasurer).
How to stop a tax foreclosure
- Pay in full. Owners, heirs, and lienholders can pay all the delinquent taxes, interest, and court fees until the close of business the day before the sale.
- Sell the house. A private sale that pays the taxes in full also stops the process. The back taxes are paid from the sale at closing.
- Don’t count on a deed transfer. The county says transferring the title and recording a new deed will not stop the foreclosure or the sale on its own.
Behind on your mortgage too? See what to do if you’re behind on mortgage payments.
Getting your payoff amount
Call or email the Sedgwick County Treasurer’s office for an exact payoff. Interest and fees change over time, so ask for a payoff good through the date you plan to pay or close. You can also look up delinquent amounts on the county’s delinquent tax search.
If you can’t catch up
If paying the full amount isn’t realistic, selling before the auction protects your equity. At a tax foreclosure sale, the house goes to the highest bidder. If you sell first, you choose the buyer, the price, and the closing date.
We buy houses as-is in Wichita and nearby towns, and back taxes are paid off at closing through a local title company. We make an offer as soon as we’ve seen the house, often within 24 hours. You choose the closing date, which can be as little as 7 days once the title is clear, and you pay no commissions or closing costs. Learn more on our behind on property taxes page.
FAQ
How many years can you go without paying property taxes in Kansas?
In Sedgwick County, a house becomes eligible for the tax foreclosure auction at about 3½ years delinquent. Interest and fees grow the whole time, so the cost to catch up keeps rising.
Can I stop the auction after the case is filed?
Yes, by paying all delinquent years, interest, and fees in full by close of business the day before the sale.
Can my mortgage lender step in?
Ask an attorney about your situation. Lienholders, like a mortgage lender, can pay the delinquent taxes before the sale to protect their interest.
Can I sell my house if it’s already in the tax foreclosure case?
Yes, if the sale closes by the day before the auction. The taxes, interest, and fees are paid from the sale at closing, and a sale paid in full stops the process.
Talk with us before the sale date
Call us at 316-854-1050 or get a no-obligation cash offer. We’ll help you compare your options before the county’s deadline.