What is the term for the process of selling property to collect delinquent taxes?

• A. Tax Sale
• B. Foreclosure
• C. Reassessment
• D. Levy

Answer: (A)

When property taxes are unpaid, the government enacts a tax sale to recover the delinquent amount. This term specifically refers to selling the property or a tax lien at auction to satisfy the unpaid taxes. It’s distinct from foreclosure, which is a court-driven process to take and sell property for debt, often tied to a mortgage; reassessment, which simply adjusts the property's taxable value; and a levy, which is the seizure of assets to satisfy a tax debt without necessarily resulting in a sale. In practice, a tax sale may involve either selling a lien or the property itself, depending on the jurisdiction.