Auction
Deposit
Money a bidder must put up before or right after an auction to show they can pay.
Online tax sales usually require a deposit before bidding, often a fixed amount or a percentage of the expected bid. The deposit is applied to the purchase or refunded.
Bidders who win and then fail to pay usually forfeit the deposit.
How it works by state
- Florida
- At a Florida tax deed sale the winner posts a nonrefundable deposit of 5% of the bid or $200, whichever is greater, and pays the balance within 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays.
General information, reviewed 2026-10-12. Not legal advice. Rules change and each county publishes its own sale terms; confirm with the county before bidding.