Tompkins County, New York Real Property Tax Foreclosure
City of Ithaca, New York 2026 Auction Terms & Conditions

GENERAL . . .

1. All Tompkins County properties offered at this auction have been foreclosed upon to enforce the collection of delinquent taxes under the New York State Real Property Tax Law (Article 11). The legal redemption period expired at 4:30 PM on March 31st, 2026.
2. All properties are sold "AS IS - WHERE IS" with ownership acknowledged by Quitclaim Deed. The County or City WILL NOT furnish an abstract of title or title insurance. New York State Real Property tax law provides that the tax foreclosure process cuts off all title and interest of the owner, and also all other claims and liens, including mortgages and judgements. Recorded easements and rights of way are not cut off.
3. Federal tax liens are covered by the Code of Federal Rules. The County notified the IRS of the tax foreclosure on October 1st, 2025 regarding the final date for redemption on March 31st, 2026. The County/City have no knowledge of any federal interest in redemption of the properties offered.
4. NOT ALLOWED TO BID:
a. Former owners will not be allowed to bid on their properties.
b. Tompkins County/City of Ithaca - All employees and their immediate family members in the following County/City offices are forbidden to purchase properties at tax auction: Finance Office, Accounting Office, County/City Attorney's Office, County Administrator's Office, City Manager's Office, County Assessment Office, and the Clerk of the Board's Office, as well as the Board of Legislators, City Council and their immediate families.
5. By acknowledging and executing these Terms and Conditions, the purchaser certifies that he/she is not representing the former owner(s) of the property against whom Tompkins County/City of Ithaca foreclosed and has no intent to defraud Tompkins County/City of Ithaca of the unpaid taxes, assessment, penalties and charges which have been levied against the property. The purchaser agrees that neither he/she nor his/her assigns shall convey the property to the former owner(s) against whom Tompkins County/City of Ithaca foreclosed within 24 months subsequent to the auction date. If such conveyance occurs, the purchaser understands that he/she may be found to have committed fraud, and/or intent to defraud, and will be liable for any deficiency between the purchase price at auction and such sums as may be owed to Tompkins County as related to the foreclosure on the property and consents to immediate judgment by Tompkins County for said amounts."
6. If a purchaser owes any outstanding and delinquent taxes to Tompkins County or City of Ithaca, those delinquent taxes must be paid in full prior to closing on any purchase made at this auction. Failure to comply with this provision will be grounds for default and forfeiture of any deposit monies paid.
7. Each purchaser will be required to sign a legally binding Property Bid Acknowledgment Form for each purchase which commits the Purchaser to compliance with all Terms and Conditions as stated herein.
8. All properties are sold subject to confirmation by a resolution of the Tompkins County Legislature.
9. Any promotional tools such as photographic slides, tax maps, written or verbal descriptions, etc. are for informational purposes only. The Seller neither guarantees nor warranties anything as to location, dimensions, parcel use or size. It is the sole responsibility of the purchaser to determine the legal and/or physical fitness of the property.
10. Risk of loss or damage by fire, vandalism or any other cause (except taking under the power of eminent domain) between the time of sale and the time of deed delivery is assumed by the purchaser.
ONLINE BIDDING . . .
11. All potential bidders must register to bid online with a Visa or Mastercard. Credit cards will be used for registration purposes only and will not be charged at the end of the auction. See payment information and terms in next section.
12. All potential bidders will also be required to complete and sign a pre-registration packet to be submitted to Reynolds Auction company by 12:00 PM on August 17th, 2026
13. Registration opens at 9:00 AM on August 4th, 2026. All potential buyers must register for this auction by 12:00 PM on August 17th, 2026. Anyone, who in the past has defaulted, or at this auction defaults, on paying either the initial deposit or remaining balance will be prohibited from registration and bidding. Reynolds Auction Company reserves the right to reject any and all bids.
14. Bids cannot be retracted once the auction begins.
15. Bidding ends at 7:00 PM on August 17th, 2026. Soft close/extended bidding.
16. Reynolds Auction Co., Inc. will not be held responsible for any interruption in internet service, errors, and/or omissions, caused by any means and does not guarantee continual, uninterrupted or error free service or use of the Site. By bidding with our company you are accepting that this auction is conducted electronically and relies on hardware and software that may malfunction without warning.
17. The Auctioneer and the Seller shall remain forever immune from any and all liability concerning any personal injury or property damage occurring before, during or after the auction, no matter what the cause. Additionally, the Auctioneer and Seller shall remain forever immune from the consequence of purchase of any property at this auction.
FINANCIAL . . .
18. Payments shall be made by cash, bank check, certified check, money order, business or personal check sent via Fedex/UPS next day shipping or wire transfer. Contact Tompkins County Finance Department for wire transfer details. Bank instruments must be made payable to Tompkins County. The Purchaser(s) is required to sign a real Property Transfer Form after full payment is received.
19. Full payment which includes current taxes due and recording fees, must be made by 12:00 PM on Thursday, August 20th, 2026 for ALL properties to the Tompkins County Finance Department.
Tompkins County Finance Department
125 East Court Street
Ithaca, New York 14850
20. The Tompkins County Attorney's office is prepared to execute closing documents upon notification by the Tompkins County Finance Department that full payment has been received and that conveyance has been approved by resolution of the County Legislature. The City of Ithaca will execute closing documents for their auctioned properties.
21. Failure to close on the property or failure to pay the remainder of the purchase price, taxes currently due and recording fees, subjects the purchaser to loss of any and all deposit monies, and all rights or claims to the property.
TAXES . . .
22. Purchasers will not be responsible for delinquent taxes and charges up to and including all those appearing on the January 1, 2026 Town and County tax bill.
23. The purchaser will pay all of the following taxes and charges, including all interest and penalties, if applicable and if they have not been paid:
2025 - 2026 Ithaca City School tax,
2026 Town and County taxes which may include re-levied village or school taxes.
2026 City of Ithaca taxes; & all water, sewer or other special district charges that have not been included in tax bills.
24. Purchasers will be responsible for all upcoming taxes including . . .
2026/2027 Village and 2026/2027 School taxes. In order to avoid future delinquent charges, the new owner should immediately advise all tax collectors of the new ownership, and the address where future tax bills are to be mailed. Contact the Tompkins County Assessment Department at 607-274-5517 to update mailing address.
ASSESSMENTS . . .
25. The online auction catalog lists the 2026 assessments for each property. Bidders or purchasers with questions regarding assessed values or assessment practices are advised to immediately contact the Tompkins County Assessment Office, 607-274-5517, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

2026 Tompkins County Tax Foreclosure Auction, selling a wide range of parcels from single family homes, commerical properties, vacant residential lots and vacant commerical lots. Online registration & bidding opens on Tuesday August 4th, 2026 at 9am. EST. The auction closes on Monday, August 17th at 7:00 PM EST. All registrations must be submitted by 12:00 PM EST on Monday, August 17th, 2026 in order to be approved to bid at this auction.