Falling behind on property taxes happens to more West Virginia homeowners than most people realize. A job change, a health crisis, a death in the family — any number of things can cause a property tax bill to go unpaid. If that sounds familiar, here’s what you need to know about what happens next and what your options are.
How Property Taxes Work in Preston County, WV
Property taxes in West Virginia are paid to the county sheriff’s office. In Preston County, taxes are due in two installments: the first half by September 1st and the second half by March 1st. If you miss these deadlines, penalties and interest begin accruing immediately.
West Virginia property taxes are generally among the lowest in the country, but even a modest bill can become a serious problem if it goes unpaid for multiple years. Back taxes accumulate, and the legal process to recover them moves on a fixed timeline regardless of your circumstances.
What Happens If You Don’t Pay Property Taxes in WV?
The West Virginia tax lien and sale process works on a specific timeline:
- Year 1 delinquent: Your property is placed on the delinquent list. Interest and penalties accrue.
- Year 2 delinquent: The state Auditor’s office is notified. The property is subject to a “right of redemption” period.
- After the redemption period: The property can be sold at a tax lien auction. Once sold at auction, you typically have a limited redemption window — after which you lose the property permanently.
This process moves slowly, but it is irreversible once it reaches the auction stage. The earlier you address back taxes, the more options you have.
Your Options If You’re Behind on Taxes
Pay the back taxes directly. The most straightforward path, if you have the funds. Contact the Preston County Sheriff’s Tax office to get a current payoff amount including all penalties and interest. Once paid, the lien is cleared.
Set up a payment plan. West Virginia allows some flexibility for property owners dealing with delinquent taxes. Contact the county sheriff’s office directly to ask about your options. Payment arrangements are not guaranteed, but it’s worth asking, especially if you have a documented hardship.
Sell the property — and use the proceeds to clear the taxes. If you owe back taxes and don’t have the cash to pay them off, selling the property is often the most practical solution. The title company handles the payoff of outstanding tax liens at closing, so you don’t need to come up with the funds out of pocket beforehand. You simply receive less at closing after the liens are cleared. For a full breakdown of how liens and back taxes affect the sale process, see our guide on selling a house with liens or back taxes in WV.
This is a common scenario in cash buyer transactions. We see it regularly. If you’re worried that back taxes make your property unsellable, that’s usually not the case — as long as there’s enough equity in the property to cover the outstanding amount.
What If There’s Not Enough Equity to Cover the Taxes?
This is a harder situation, but there are still options worth exploring — including negotiating a deed in lieu of foreclosure, working with a real estate attorney on a short sale, or exploring hardship programs. These are complex situations best handled with professional guidance.
We Can Help
Nexus Property Solutions works with homeowners in Preston County who are behind on property taxes. We can give you a clear picture of what a sale would look like — how much you’d walk away with after the taxes are paid off at closing, and how quickly it could happen. There’s no obligation and no pressure. If selling makes sense for your situation, we’ll make it as straightforward as possible. If it doesn’t, we’ll tell you that too.
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