Tax-forfeited properties are parcels on which delinquent property taxes were not paid, title to the land and buildings was forfeited and title is now vested in the state of Minnesota. Dakota County manages the properties while in trust for the state. Following a review period per Minnesota Statutes, these properties are classified and offered to the public at auction.
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If you have any additional questions regarding Tax Forfeiture, please contact us at 651-438-4576 or email taxation@co.dakota.mn.us
The Dakota County website will also be updated with all properties for sale.
Over-the-counter tax-forfeited parcels for sale
No properties are currently for sale over the counter purchase. Subscribe to our auction notifications to stay informed about our upcoming auctions.
Tax forfeiture surplus notice
The 2025 Dakota County public auctions for tax-forfeited parcels are now completed. For parcels forfeited in 2024, former owners and other interested parties could be entitled to surplus proceeds. This applies if their forfeited property sells for more than the delinquent taxes, special assessments, penalties, interest and costs.
You can find the parcel sales that resulted in surplus proceeds on the
Tax Forfeiture Surplus Notice.
A notice of surplus and a claim form have been mailed to all known property owners and other interested parties. Former owners and interested parties must submit their claims within six months of the notice's mailing date. Claims will not be paid until the filing period ends.
To establish a claim, prior owners and interested parties could need to provide the following documentation:
- Property owners:
- Deeds
- Mortgages
- Property tax statements
- Notices of assessment
- Trust
- Heirs/successors:
- Wills
- Obituaries
- Probate documents
- Death certificates
- Birth certificates
- Marriage documents
- Letters of testamentary
- Court orders
- Lienholders or heirs/successors of lienholders:
- Lien documents at time of forfeiture
- Assignment of Lien
- Certificate of Good Standing
- Statement of Balance Owing at Time of Forfeiture
- Agents
- Power of attorney
- Court orders of appointment
- Agency agreement
If you have any questions, please call 651-438-4576 or email taxation@co.dakota.mn.us.
Property sold “as is”
All property is sold "as is" and may not conform to local building and zoning ordinances. The county makes no warranty as to the condition of the soil or that the land is "buildable." All sales are final, and no refunds or exchanges are permitted.
Special assessment or reassessment
If municipal special assessments were canceled at forfeiture, the municipality that made the improvement could make a reassessment or a new assessment to the property, per
Minnesota Statutes 429.071.
Fees and charges related to canceled special assessments also could be certified against the property.
The purchaser will assume local improvement assessments not yet certified to the property.
Do your research before buying
The county recommends you research any tax-forfeited parcels before purchase.
- For general land information, please go to
Property Information Search and enter the parcel identification number in the upper, left-hand corner without spaces or dashes.
- Most liens and mortgages, except federal and state tax liens, are canceled at the time of forfeiture. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to verify this information. Please contact Dakota County Property Records at 651-438-4597 for direction with checking if there are existing liens and mortgages.
- You will also need to
check environmental concerns for the property.
- To see if the property is buildable or for zoning questions, please check with the city or township.
Contact counsel for legal issues
For specific legal issues, you should consider contacting your own legal counsel. Services of an attorney may be necessary to make the title marketable. You are advised to consult an attorney for advice specific to a particular parcel of land and your plans for it.
The following state statutes apply to tax-forfeited property: