Legal Update
Claiming Surplus Funds After a Tax Sale in Bucks County
Last updated March 2026
Marc Lynde5 min read
Marc Lynde
Marc Lynde
Marc LyndeWhen property is sold at a tax sale, the winning bid often exceeds the amount owed in delinquent taxes and sale costs. That difference, called surplus funds or overages, belongs to the previous owner. In many cases, that owner never claims it because they don’t know it exists.
If you or a family member owned property in Bucks County that went to tax sale, money could be waiting for you right now.
Here’s the mechanics: A property owner falls behind on real estate taxes. After proper notice and opportunity to pay, the property is sold at a tax sale. The winning bid might be $150,000. The delinquent taxes, penalties, interest, and sale costs might total $35,000. The difference ($115,000) is surplus funds.
This surplus belongs to the property owner at the time of the sale, not to the winning bidder. The sale wipes out the tax lien and most other claims, and the surplus is distributed to the rightful owner or their estate.
The Bucks County Tax Claim Bureau maintains a publicly available list of undistributed surplus funds on the county website at buckscounty.gov. You can search for your name or a property address. If funds are there, the county has a process to distribute them, but only if you claim them.
Many former owners don’t know this list exists. Years pass. The funds accumulate in the county account, unclaimed.
The process is straightforward but requires precision:
The Tax Claim Bureau will verify your identity, confirm you’re the correct claimant, and issue payment. The process typically takes several weeks.
If the property owner has passed away, the executor or administrator of the estate completes the affidavit. You’ll need:
The funds then go to the estate, where they become probate assets.
Some property owners handle the claim themselves. Others hire a recovery service or attorney, which makes sense when the claim involves a deceased owner, title complications, or tight deadlines. If you do hire someone, understand the fee arrangement upfront and confirm the funds will be distributed through the county’s official process.
Under Pennsylvania’s Real Estate Tax Sale Law, unclaimed surplus funds may be distributed to the county’s general fund after three years. This creates a practical deadline. The longer you wait, the closer you get to losing your claim entirely.
Most claims are straightforward. But some situations benefit from legal help. If the property had a mortgage at the time of sale, the mortgage holder may have a claim against the surplus. If there were multiple liens, priorities can get complex. Title searches can help clarify the situation. If the prior owner has been deceased for some time, tracking down the executor can be difficult. If you’re unsure whether you’re the correct claimant or whether the property in question is actually yours, an attorney can clarify the title and make sure the claim is filed correctly.
If you owned property in Bucks County that you lost to tax sale, whether five years ago or twenty years ago, check the Tax Claim Bureau’s list. Your name may be there, with funds waiting. The claim process is accessible and the payout is direct. There’s no reason not to look.
Think you might have surplus funds sitting in Bucks County? We can check and file the claim for you. Ballow & Lynde, 1200 Veterans Highway, Suite B-3, Bristol, PA 19007, (215) 949-0888, lawyermarc.com.
Need help recovering surplus funds or dealing with a tax sale? Ballow & Lynde represents clients throughout Bucks County in real estate and property tax matters. Schedule a free consultation or call us at 215-949-0888.
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