After the 1-year redemption period ends, ask the town's delinquent tax collector who made the sale for the excess (overbid). No statute sets a claim procedure.
A finder who charges you may need to be a licensed private investigator: ask the clerk.
Fee limits: Not researched yet — ask the clerk.
You never need to pay anyone to file.
Ask the clerk for the deadline.
Checklist: Vermont, money left over after a tax-deed sale
Who holds it:Not researched yet — ask the clerk
How long:Not researched yet — ask the clerk
How you claim: After the 1-year redemption period ends, ask the town's delinquent tax collector who made the sale for the excess (overbid). No statute sets a claim procedure.
Your deadline: ____________ (confirm it with the clerk)
Steps
Within 1 year of the sale you can redeem by paying the collector the sale price plus 1% per month.
If you don't redeem, ask the collector or town for the amount bid above the taxes and costs.
The Legislature's Act 106 working group report cites Bogie v. Town of Barnet (1970) and Ran-mar v. Town of Berlin (2006): excess sale proceeds must be paid to the taxpayer.
Documents
Not researched yet — ask the clerk
What it costs you
Not researched yet — ask the clerk
If someone offers to do it for you
A finder who charges you may need to be a licensed private investigator: ask the clerk.
32 V.S.A. § 5254 (sale of realty): https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/32/133/05254
Act 106 Working Group Report: Tax Sales (2025): https://legislature.vermont.gov/assets/Legislative-Reports/Act-106-2024-Report-Tax-Abatement-and-Tax-Sales.pdf
Source: 32 V.S.A. § 5254; 32 V.S.A. § 5260; 32 V.S.A. § 5261; 32 V.S.A. § 5252; 32 V.S.A. § 5253; 32 V.S.A. § 5254(b); 32 V.S.A. § 5258; 32 V.S.A. § 5260(a); 32 V.S.A. §§ 5261-5263; 32 V.S.A. § 5061(b). Researched, not yet checked by a lawyer; confirm with the clerk. Not legal advice.