California Tax Deed Sale

[Mark Abinante]

I am having great difficulty interpreting California tax code regarding tax deed sales and need help for the following scenario:

Minimum bids are initially set to total of all outstanding tax liabilities (including penalities and interest); however, in the case of no bids, the county may elect to re-offer the parcel at an even lower starting bid.  Suppose the original minimum bid (outstanding tax liability) was $100k and after receiving no bids, the parcel was reoffered at $10k and sold for $15k.  Would the buyer/auction winner receive title free of all past tax encumbrances or will the buyer immediately be hit with a $85k past due tax bill and property lien (the difference between the $100k old tax liabilities and the $15k payment received from settling the auction)?