Manatee County, Florida — Tax Sale & Surplus Procedure

Local operations layer. The legal framework (redemption periods, surplus rights, statutes, case law) lives on the parent page → florida. This page covers how Manatee County actually runs it. Legal information, not legal advice. Last verified: 2026-06-02.

C0. Identity

• County seat: Bradenton · Population: ~399,711 (2020 Census, FIPS 12081) · Recording unit: county (one of Florida’s 67 counties).
• Parent legal framework: florida (Ch. 197 tax certificates / tax deeds; Ch. 45 mortgage foreclosure).
• County structure: Manatee County follows the standard Florida model — the elected Tax Collector (Ken Burton, Jr.) conducts the annual tax-certificate sale; the elected Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller (Angelina “Angel” Colonneso, Esq.) conducts tax-deed auctions and holds surplus funds. The Clerk also conducts judicial (Ch. 45) mortgage-foreclosure sales.

C1. Local Tax Sale

Two distinct sales exist under Florida law (see florida for statutory mechanics):

(a) Tax-certificate sale — run by the Manatee County Tax Collector

• Conducts own sale? Yes, online. · Platform: Pacific Blue Auction — pacificblueauction.com (redirects to the Manatee County auction subdomain). The Tax Collector’s main page is taxcollector.com/services/property-tax/tax-certs.cfm. (Source: Manatee Tax Collector news release — 2026 delinquent property taxes, retrieved 2026-06-02)
• Calendar: annual; the 2026 certificate sale was scheduled for May 28, 2026 (the statutory deadline is June 1 per florida § 197.432). Taxes become delinquent April 1; accounts unpaid by May 1 incur a $6 advertising fee and are published in a local newspaper once a week for three consecutive weeks. (Source: Manatee Tax Collector — Delinquent Real Estate, retrieved 2026-06-02; news release, retrieved 2026-06-02)
• Bidding method: Bid-down interest from 18% to 0% in 0.25% increments; unsold certificates struck to the county at 18% (state mechanics — florida § 197.432); 5% mandatory minimum on redemption unless bid at 0%.
• Delinquent-list location: County-held certificate list available at taxcollector.com/uploads/cnty_held.xlsx and tax data research file at taxcollector.com/uploads/ManateeData.zip. Advertised in local newspaper three consecutive weeks beginning May 1. (Source: taxcollector.com/services/property-tax/tax-certs.cfm, retrieved 2026-06-02)
• Registration requirements (county-held certificate purchase): Complete IRS W-9 form + ACH Authorization Agreement; submit to legal@taxcollector.com. (Source: taxcollector.com/services/property-tax/tax-certs.cfm, retrieved 2026-06-02)
• Deposit / bidder requirements (auction): needs_verification — deposit requirements for Pacific Blue Auction bidders not confirmed from a directly retrieved page (pacificblueauction.com redirected without detailed content). Contact the Tax Collector at (941) 741-4800 or legal@taxcollector.com.
• 2026 Tax Sale Calendar of Events: downloadable from taxcollector.com/services/property-tax/tax-certs.cfm (document referenced on page; specific dates not reproduced here).

(b) Tax-deed auction — run by the Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller

• Conducts own sale? Yes. · Platform: RealAuction / realforeclose.com — manatee.realforeclose.com. Tax-deed case management at manatee.realtdm.com/public/cases/list. (Source: manateeclerk.com/departments/tax-deeds/, retrieved 2026-06-02)
• Sale calendar: Conducted online throughout the year; specific upcoming sale dates and opening bids posted on the auction platform. Computers available at the Historical Courthouse for public participation. (Source: manateeclerk.com/departments/tax-deeds/, retrieved 2026-06-02)
• Deposit requirements:
  • Walk-in: $200 or 5% per sale (whichever is greater), due at least one hour before the sale.
  • Online (ACH): deposit must be submitted at least 4–5 business days prior to the sale. (Source: manateeclerk.com/departments/tax-deeds/, retrieved 2026-06-02)
• Balance due: balance + documentary stamps ($0.70/$100) + recording fees due within 24 hours of the auction (per state law § 197.542 — see florida).
• Opening bid: certified from the Tax Collector’s office; amounts posted on the auction platform once determined. (Source: manateeclerk.com/departments/tax-deeds/, retrieved 2026-06-02)
• Lands Available for Taxes: properties not sold at auction that have not been redeemed are listed at manateeclerk.com/departments/tax-deeds/lands-available-for-taxes/. Purchase amounts include delinquent taxes, recording fees, and document stamps; amounts adjust the first business day of each month. Properties escheat to the county 3 years after the public sale per § 197.502(8). (Source: manateeclerk.com/departments/tax-deeds/lands-available-for-taxes/, retrieved 2026-06-02)

C2. Local Redemption → framework: right-of-redemption

• Where to redeem: Redemption of a tax certificate (paying delinquent taxes to cancel the certificate) is handled by the Manatee County Tax Collector. Pay online at secure.taxcollector.com/ptaxweb/, by mail, or in person at a branch office. (Source: taxcollector.com/services/property-tax/delinquent.cfm, retrieved 2026-06-02)
• Local fees: 3% penalty from April 1; $6 advertising fee from May 1; certificate redemption requires payment of certificate face + all interest/costs, with a 5% mandatory minimum (state law — florida § 197.472). No locally-added fees beyond statutory amounts confirmed.
• Redemption contact:
  • Office: Manatee County Tax Collector, Field Services and Collections Department
  • Address: 1001 3rd Ave W, Ste 240, Bradenton, FL 34205
  • Phone: (941) 741-4800 (general); (941) 741-4809 (Field Services)
  • Email: legal@taxcollector.com
  • URL: taxcollector.com/services/property-tax/tax-certs.cfm
• Deviations from state default: None identified. Redemption right runs until the tax deed is issued per florida § 197.472(1). Post-deed redemption does not exist; remedy shifts to surplus claim.
• Online payment portal: secure.taxcollector.com/ptaxweb/ — accepts e-check (free) or credit/debit card (2.75% fee). (Source: search results confirming URL, retrieved 2026-06-02)

C3. Local Surplus / Excess Proceeds → framework: surplus-funds

Tax-deed surplus (§ 197.582):

• Claim filing venue: Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Tax Deeds Department
  • Physical: 1115 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205
  • Mailing: Attn: Tax Deeds, P.O. Box 25400, Bradenton, FL 34206
  • Phone: 941-741-4058 (Tax Deeds); (941) 749-1800 (general Clerk)
  • URL: manateeclerk.com/departments/tax-deeds/
• Claim form: “Claim for Surplus Proceeds from Tax Deed Sale” (dated 01-04-2019) — available at manateeclerk.com/media/1924/surplus-blank-form.pdf. (Source: manateeclerk.com/departments/general-information/forms/, retrieved 2026-06-02)
• Deadline: Under florida § 197.582, interested parties receiving notice have 120 days from the date of the clerk’s mailed notice to file a written claim. The former property owner is not barred by the 120-day cutoff (the statute creates a conclusive presumption in favor of the legal titleholder if no third-party claims are filed). After the 120-day window the clerk may interplead or pay per priority. Unclaimed funds are routed to Ch. 717 (Florida DFS Division of Unclaimed Property) — the Clerk’s unclaimed-funds list shows a “1 Year from Sale Date” tracking column, consistent with the timeline for transferring funds to Ch. 717. (Source: florida § 197.582; manateeclerk.com/departments/tax-deeds/list-of-unclaimed-funds/, retrieved 2026-06-02)
• Unclaimed-funds list: Published at manateeclerk.com/departments/tax-deeds/list-of-unclaimed-funds/. As of the date of retrieval, nine properties from 2025 tax deed sales were listed with surplus amounts ranging from ~$95 to$98,991. (Source: retrieved 2026-06-02)
• Contact: Tax Deeds Supervisor Vicki Tessmer · Phone: 941-741-4058 · Email: servicedesk@manateeclerk.com (general Clerk)

Mortgage-foreclosure surplus (§ 45.032 / § 45.033):

• Claim filing venue: Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Circuit Civil Division
  • Physical: 1115 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205
  • Mailing: Attn: Circuit Civil, P.O. Box 25400, Bradenton, FL 34206
  • Phone: 941-741-4025
  • URL: manateeclerk.com/departments/circuit-civil/
• Claim form: “Foreclosure Surplus Funds Claim Form” (dated 02-05-2024) — manateeclerk.com/media/2511/foreclosuresurplusclaimform-1.pdf. (Source: manateeclerk.com/departments/general-information/forms/, retrieved 2026-06-02)
• Deadline: 60 days from the date the Clerk issues the Certificate of Disbursements (state law — florida § 45.032); voluntary surplus-rights assignments must also be filed within 60 days. After the 60-day window, the clerk appoints a surplus trustee from a qualified list.
• Process: Completed claim form submitted in person or by mail to Circuit Civil; the court determines eligibility and priority. (Source: manateeclerk.com/departments/circuit-civil/circuit-civil-frequently-asked-questions/, retrieved 2026-06-02)
• Supervisor: Shanice Mays (Circuit Civil Supervisor) · Phone: 941-741-4025

▸ For Investors / Operators — Manatee County uses two separate platforms: Pacific Blue Auction (pacificblueauction.com) for the annual May tax-certificate sale (bid-down from 18%, annual in 2026 on May 28) and RealAuction (manatee.realforeclose.com) for tax-deed auctions and Ch. 45 judicial foreclosure sales (all starting at 11:00 a.m.; Judicial Center at 1051 Manatee Ave W). Tax-deed deposits are $200 or 5% (whichever is greater) due by the Monday before the sale; full balance including doc stamps ($0.70/$100) and recording fees is due within 24 hours. Active tax-deed case list is searchable at manatee.realtdm.com.

▸ For Former Owners — Tax-deed surplus is held by the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller (Tax Deeds, 1115 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton; 941-741-4058). Download the “Claim for Surplus Proceeds from Tax Deed Sale” form at manateeclerk.com/media/1924/surplus-blank-form.pdf and submit with a notarized signature. Third-party lienholders have 120 days from the Clerk’s mailed notice to file; the former property owner is not barred by that cutoff. Unclaimed funds are listed at manateeclerk.com/departments/tax-deeds/list-of-unclaimed-funds/ before routing to Florida’s Division of Unclaimed Property. Mortgage-foreclosure surplus (§ 45.032) has a separate 60-day deadline from the Clerk’s Certificate of Disbursements — use the Foreclosure Surplus Funds Claim Form from the Circuit Civil Division (941-741-4025).

C4. Offices & Contacts

Note: Florida mortgage foreclosures are clerk-conducted, not sheriff-conducted. The sheriff serves civil process but does not run the foreclosure auction. (Source: florida § 45.031; confirmed by Manatee Clerk Circuit Civil page)

C5. Local Procedure Notes

• Tax-deed sale start time: Tax deed sales are conducted online at manatee.realforeclose.com; specific start times are listed on the auction platform. In-person computer access is available at the Historical Courthouse.
• Foreclosure sale start time: Judicial (Ch. 45) sales are held online at manatee.realforeclose.com or in person at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205, all sales starting at 11:00 a.m. (Source: records.manateeclerk.com/CourtRecords/Search/ForeclosureSales, retrieved 2026-06-02; manateeclerk.com/departments/circuit-civil/, retrieved 2026-06-02)
• Foreclosure sale calendar: Listed at records.manateeclerk.com/CourtRecords/Search/ForeclosureSales; June–September 2026 sale dates confirmed as scheduled (with individual cases showing PENDING ONLINE or CANCELLED status). (Source: retrieved 2026-06-02)
• No deviations from state statutory framework identified beyond the above operational specifics.
• Certificate sale platform note: Manatee County uses Pacific Blue Auction (not RealAuction/LienHub) for the annual tax-certificate sale. The tax-deed platform (realforeclose.com) and judicial foreclosure platform are both RealAuction/Grant Street Group products.
• Advertising fee: A $6 advertising fee is added to delinquent accounts beginning May 1. Published in local newspaper three consecutive weeks per florida Ch. 197. (Source: taxcollector.com/services/property-tax/delinquent.cfm, retrieved 2026-06-02)

C6. Records Access

C7. Meta

sources:

• {type: official, url: https://www.manateeclerk.com/departments/tax-deeds/, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Tax Deeds department page; deposit requirements, auction platform, supervisor contact
• {type: official, url: https://www.manateeclerk.com/departments/tax-deeds/list-of-unclaimed-funds/, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Unclaimed surplus funds list with nine 2025-sale entries
• {type: official, url: https://www.manateeclerk.com/departments/tax-deeds/lands-available-for-taxes/, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Lands available for taxes; purchase amount calculation; 3-year escheat
• {type: official, url: https://www.manateeclerk.com/departments/tax-deeds/frequently-asked-questions/, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Clerk tax deed FAQs (limited; confirms realforeclose.com platform)
• {type: official, url: https://www.manateeclerk.com/departments/general-information/forms/, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Forms library; surplus claim form URL confirmed
• {type: official, url: https://www.manateeclerk.com/departments/circuit-civil/, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Circuit civil division; foreclosure surplus claim form; 11:00 a.m. sale time
• {type: official, url: https://www.manateeclerk.com/departments/circuit-civil/circuit-civil-frequently-asked-questions/, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Foreclosure surplus claim filing process and form
• {type: official, url: https://www.manateeclerk.com/, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Clerk main page; Angelina Colonneso contact info
• {type: official, url: https://records.manateeclerk.com/CourtRecords/Search/ForeclosureSales, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Foreclosure sale calendar; June–September 2026 dates; 11:00 a.m. start; manatee.realforeclose.com platform
• {type: official, url: https://www.taxcollector.com/services/property-tax/tax-certs.cfm, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Tax certificate sale; registration (W-9/ACH); county-held cert list download; 2026 calendar reference
• {type: official, url: https://www.taxcollector.com/services/property-tax/delinquent.cfm, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Delinquent property taxes; $6 fee May 1; 3-week newspaper advertising
• {type: official, url: https://www.taxcollector.com/news.cfm?key=2026_delinquent_property_taxes, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — 2026 certificate sale date (May 28, 2026); pacificblueauction.com platform confirmed
• {type: official, url: https://www.taxcollector.com/mailing-address.cfm, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Tax Collector mailing address; Ken Burton Jr. name confirmed
• {type: official, url: https://www.taxcollector.com/visit.cfm, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Branch locations (West: 819 301 Blvd W; East: 10705 Technology Terrace); hours 9AM-5PM
• {type: official, url: https://www.taxcollector.com/phone-fax.cfm, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Phone numbers: (941) 741-4800 general, (941) 741-4809 Field Services
• {type: official, url: https://www.taxcollector.com/about.cfm, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Ken Burton Jr. confirmed as elected Tax Collector (since 1992)
• {type: official, url: https://www.manateepao.gov/, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Charlie Hackney, Property Appraiser; search at manateepao.gov/search/
• {type: official, url: https://www.manateepao.gov/contact/, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Property Appraiser contact: 915 4th Ave W, Bradenton; (941) 748-8208
• {type: official, url: https://www.manateeclerk.com/departments/recording/, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Recording Department; 941-741-4045; Ronda Powers supervisor; eRecording available
• {type: official, url: https://www.manateesheriff.com/services/property___evidence/index.php, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Sheriff address 600 Hwy 301 Blvd W; phone (941) 747-3011
• {type: official, url: https://secure.taxcollector.com/ptaxweb/, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Online tax payment portal URL confirmed
• {type: official, url: https://www.mymanatee.org/services-and-amenities/service-listing/service-details/property-locator-gis-map, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — GIS Property Locator map
• {type: statute, url: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/197.582, retrieved: 2026-06-01} — § 197.582 surplus 120-day claim window; former-owner exception; Ch. 717 escheat (on parent florida page)
• {type: statute, url: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2018/45.032, retrieved: 2026-06-01} — § 45.032 foreclosure surplus 60-day window (on parent florida page)

needs_verification:

• Deposit and bidder registration requirements for Pacific Blue Auction (pacificblueauction.com) — page redirected without detailed content; need direct fetch of the Manatee auction sub-page or Tax Collector help center article.
• Current elected Sheriff’s name — address and phone confirmed but officer name not retrieved from official page.
• Whether Manatee County publishes delinquent tax notices online (per 2023 Ch. 50 amendment allowing online notice in lieu of newspaper) or continues newspaper-only advertising. The Tax Collector page references “local newspaper” but Manatee may have transitioned. [needs_verification]
• Confirm exact start time for tax-deed sales on manatee.realforeclose.com (in-person / online) — the Clerk’s page does not state a start time for tax-deed sales specifically (only the 11:00 a.m. time for judicial/foreclosure sales was confirmed).

cross_links: florida, right-of-redemption, surplus-funds, third-party-recovery-rules, due-process-notice, tyler-v-hennepin-county, bankruptcy-automatic-stay, heirs-property

changelog:

• 2026-06-02 — Initial population (autoresearch wave 1). All C0–C6 modules populated from official county sources. Pacific Blue Auction confirmed as certificate-sale platform; realforeclose.com for tax-deed and foreclosure sales; both surplus claim forms located and URL-verified.

▸ For Investors / Operators — Manatee County uses two separate platforms: Pacific Blue Auction (pacificblueauction.com) for the annual May tax-certificate sale (bid-down from 18%, annual in 2026 on May 28) and RealAuction (manatee.realforeclose.com) for tax-deed auctions and Ch. 45 judicial foreclosure sales (all starting at 11:00 a.m.; Judicial Center at 1051 Manatee Ave W). Tax-deed deposits are $200 or 5% (whichever is greater) due by the Monday before the sale; full balance including doc stamps ($0.70/$100) and recording fees is due within 24 hours. Active tax-deed case list is searchable at manatee.realtdm.com.

▸ For Former Owners — Tax-deed surplus is held by the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller (Tax Deeds, 1115 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton; 941-741-4058). Download the “Claim for Surplus Proceeds from Tax Deed Sale” form at manateeclerk.com/media/1924/surplus-blank-form.pdf and submit with a notarized signature. Third-party lienholders have 120 days from the Clerk’s mailed notice to file; the former property owner is not barred by that cutoff. Unclaimed funds are listed at manateeclerk.com/departments/tax-deeds/list-of-unclaimed-funds/ before routing to Florida’s Division of Unclaimed Property. Mortgage-foreclosure surplus (§ 45.032) has a separate 60-day deadline from the Clerk’s Certificate of Disbursements — use the Foreclosure Surplus Funds Claim Form from the Circuit Civil Division (941-741-4025).

Legal information, not legal advice. This page summarizes Manatee County, Florida tax and mortgage foreclosure procedures for research purposes only and may be incomplete or out of date. Statutes, local rules, and office contacts change. Consult a licensed Florida attorney before acting. Verify every figure and deadline against the cited primary sources and directly with the relevant county office. Last verified: 2026-06-02.