Marion County will be conducting its property tax sale online for the first time this year, joining a growing list of counties.
On Monday beginning at 8:30 a.m., people will have the opportunity to bid on 1,922 Marion County properties at govease.com/auctions.
“Several other counties have used the online system now for about two years,” Tax Assessor/Collector Teresa Terrell said. “It’s been very successful. It eliminates the hassle and the big crowds.”
The list of properties is still published in the newspaper as always and is included in today’s edition of The Columbian-Progress.
But the actual purchasing is done online. Properties with past-due property taxes for the previous year are sold at the auction, but the owners have two years to reclaim them by paying the taxes along with interest and fees. If the original owner redeems the property, the buyers get back what they paid plus interest; if not, they become the owners after the two-year period.
“The ability to use your computer, tablet or smartphone makes it really easy,” Terrell said. “People register online instead of at the Tax Assessor’s Office. It’s a much easier process.”
Online registration began July 30 and continues through the sales. There are webinars are GovEase’s website showing how to use the system. It said bidders can watch each auction or upload a list that auto bids with preset amounts on certain properties.
Any questions about the process can be directed to the Tax Assessor’s Office at 736-3157.
Fall auctions in Mississippi online include the following counties: Adams, Benton, Bolivar, Chickasaw, Claiborne, Clay, Desoto, Forrest, Harrison, Hinds, Itawamba, Jackson, Jones, Lafayette, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Leake, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Monroe, Neshoba, Panola, Rankin, Simpson, Tippah, Union, Warren, Wayne, Winston and Yazoo.
“We expect about 40 counties to participate next year,” Terrell said. “I think in the next few years you’ll see all of Mississippi’s counties come on board with this. It’s a much easier process, and we expect more overbids. What might have taken a week or more to sort out may only take a few days. I’ve talked to tax assessors in other counties and it has worked well for them. For the bidders, it makes it easier because you don’t have to fight the crowds at the courthouse. All I’ve heard is nothing but good.”
