County Treasurers are permitted to sell real property Tax Liens as a revenue raising device.  This shifts the burden of collecting the outstanding deficiency to the purchaser, which is usually an investment company that can then assess interest on the past amount due.  That amount can vary, but is frequently in the range of 14-18% annually.

If a property owner fails to pay-off that obligation via a lump-sum, work-out an agreed monthly payment plan or file a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy the Lien holder can subsequently initiate a Tax Lien Certificate Foreclosure.  At the conclusion of that proceeding the Court will issue a Judgment, permitting the parcel to be sold at auction.

Should a sale be conducted, but no bid materialize, a second (2nd) auction will be scheduled shortly thereafter.  If again no successful buyer appears, the Court will then issue an Order of Forfeiture, resulting in the owner's loss of the parcel.