Chatham County (Savannah)
tax sale guide.

Posted results show sales on July 7 and September 1, 2026, no sale in August 2026, and files marked "No Tax Sale" for December 2025 through June 2026. A judicial in-rem sale, when held, comes before the Sheriff's sale; none was scheduled on October 28, 2026.

The sale list is a PDF linked from the tax sale page. The November 3, 2026 list shows each parcel's ID, owner, address and starting bid. The office says the opening bid includes all applicable taxes, penalties and costs. The page does not say how far ahead of a sale the list is posted.

The page links an online pre-registration form but does not say whether pre-registering is required. Its Quick Facts say: "The time to remit payment will be determined the day of the sale. The form of payment must be cash, money order or certified check." A sentence under the page's judicial in-rem heading says: "The Tax Commissioner's Office requires payment by 2:00 p.m. the day of sale in the form of cashier's check, money order or cash." Ask the office which rule applies. Recognized bids are binding, and at the Levy Officer's discretion, certain properties that receive no minimum bid may be re-offered at 2:30 p.m. the same day.

These are buyer beware sales, and the Levying Officer does not warrant titles. The deed is a Sheriff's Tax Deed, which the office says offers only "defeasible" title. BidWise's Georgia notes below do not cover a judicial in-rem sale. Georgia is a redeemable tax deed state. The county sells the property, not the debt, and the high bidder receives a tax deed. A redeeming party pays the purchaser the amount paid at the sale plus a premium of 20% of that amount for the first year or fraction of a year, and 10% for each additional year or fraction of a year (O.C.G.A. § 48-4-42). A Georgia tax deed is defeasible until the right of redemption is barred, and possession normally stays with the owner or occupant. Barment is the statutory notice process a Georgia tax deed purchaser uses to end the right of redemption.

If a property sells for more than the amount owed, the Tax Commissioner holds the surplus, called excess funds. The owner at the time of the sale, an heir or beneficiary if the owner was deceased, or a lienholder can claim it by mailing the office's Excess Funds Request Form and documents to Chatham County Tax Commissioner, Attn: Excess Funds, PO Box 8092, Savannah GA 31412, or by emailing ExcessFunds@chathamcounty.org. Claimants must apply directly, not through asset recovery firms, and funds no one claims within five years of the sale go to the Georgia Department of Revenue.

The City of Savannah holds separate sales for city tax debts; its notice for the August 4, 2026 city sale set that sale at the Coastal Georgia Center. Questions about the county sale go to (912) 652-7100 or tax@chathamcounty.org. Confirm every parcel against the county's official notice, and talk to a Georgia real-estate attorney before you bid.