The short answer
Until the March 31 immediately succeeding entry of the judgment of foreclosure, or 21 days after entry in a contested case; no redemption after that
How the clock works
Michigan has no post-sale redemption. The right to redeem runs during the forfeiture year and ends when the foreclosure judgment takes effect. Property forfeited to the county treasurer may be redeemed at any time on or before the March 31 immediately succeeding entry of a judgment foreclosing it, or within 21 days of entry in a contested case. On that date all redemption rights expire and fee simple title vests absolutely in the foreclosing governmental unit. Measured from the March 1 the taxes were returned as delinquent, that is about 25 months, and roughly three years from the year the taxes were levied. A circuit court may withhold a property from foreclosure for one year, or enter an order extending the redemption period as it finds equitable, if the owner is a minor heir, is incompetent, is without means of support, or is undergoing substantial financial hardship, so a parcel can drop off an auction list late.
Who can redeem
Section 78g(3) does not limit the redemption payment to the owner; it states only what must be paid to the county treasurer. Section 78g(5) then addresses redemption by a person with a legal interest in the property: that person does not acquire a title or interest greater than they would have had if the property had not been forfeited, but a redeeming person other than the owner is entitled to a lien for the amount paid to redeem, which must be recorded with the register of deeds within 30 days and carries the same priority as that person's existing lien, title, or interest.
What the owner pays to redeem
The total unpaid delinquent taxes, interest, penalties, and fees for which the property was forfeited, plus additional interest at a noncompounded 1/2 percent per month or fraction of a month on the taxes originally returned as delinquent computed from the March 1 preceding the forfeiture, which sits on top of the 1 percent per month already running under section 78a(3), plus all recording fees and all fees for service of process or notice. That brings the post-forfeiture rate to 1.5 percent per month, which is 18 percent a year, uncompounded. The $175 forfeiture fee added under section 78g(1), the $15 fee added on October 1 under section 78d, and the 4 percent county property tax administration fee added under section 78a(3) are part of the amount owed.
What sends a parcel to the sale
A statutory clock, not a certificate holder's application. Unpaid taxes are returned as delinquent to the county treasurer on March 1. On the March 1 that follows twelve months later, property still delinquent for taxes, interest, penalties, and fees is forfeited to the county treasurer for the full unpaid amount and a $175 fee is added. Forfeiture alone transfers no title and gives no right of possession. The foreclosing governmental unit then files a single petition for foreclosure by June 15 of the forfeiture year, the circuit court hears it no more than 30 days before the following March 1, and the judgment of foreclosure vests absolute fee simple title in that unit if the amounts due are not paid by the March 31 immediately succeeding entry of the judgment, or within 21 days of entry in a contested case.
In Michigan the owner's ordinary redemption right closes before the sale rather than running against the winning bidder; check the rule above for any exception, and note that a federal tax lien can carry its own 120-day IRS redemption right. See how redemption periods work across states. Winning the tax deed sale still does not convey marketable title on its own, so budget for a quiet title action.
Verified Aug 6, 2026 against Michigan statutes.
Tax Sale Atlas publishes educational information about public tax sale processes. This is not legal, financial, or investment advice. Rules, dates, and fees change; confirm with the county office before you bid.