Facing Tax Foreclosure in Webster County, Mississippi? Here Is What You Need to Know About Surplus Funds
If you are a homeowner in Webster County, Mississippi, and you have received a notice about delinquent property taxes -- or your property has already been sold at a tax sale -- you are not alone. Families across tight-knit communities like Walthall face this every year. But there is something important you may not know: you could be owed money.
How Tax Sales Work in Webster County
Webster County follows Mississippi's tax lien process. In Webster County, the Chancery Clerk manages tax sales. When your property sells for more than the delinquent taxes, penalties, and costs owed, the difference is called surplus funds -- and that money may belong to you.
Under Section 27-41-77, the tax collector reports the excess to the Chancery Clerk, pays it into the county treasury, and the owner may request payment after the redemption period expires.
Key Deadlines
Mississippi imposes strict deadlines for claiming surplus funds. Missing them can mean losing your money:
- Two-year redemption period from the date of the tax sale (Section 27-45-3)
- Two-year claim period after redemption expires to request surplus payment (Section 27-41-77)
- After four years total, unclaimed funds may escheat to the county
Mississippi has a strict timeline: you cannot claim surplus during the two-year redemption window, but once it closes, you have only two more years to act.
Your Rights After Tyler v. Hennepin County
In 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Tyler v. Hennepin County that governments cannot keep surplus proceeds beyond what is owed -- doing so violates the Fifth Amendment. If your property sold for more than you owed, that excess is yours.
Steps to Take Now
- Contact the Chancery Clerk in Webster County (located in Walthall) and ask whether surplus funds are being held from the tax sale of your property.
- Know your redemption timeline. Mississippi provides a two-year redemption period. If that window has closed, you have two additional years to file a surplus claim under Section 27-41-77.
- Gather your documents. You will need proof of ownership at the time of the tax sale, a valid government-issued ID, tax records, and any correspondence about the sale.
- File your claim with the Chancery Clerk's office, including all supporting documentation. If you are past the initial claim window, consult an attorney about your options.
Free Help from AuctionBlock.org
AuctionBlock.org is a mission-driven company that helps homeowners recover surplus funds for a flat $4,999 fee upon successful recovery. If you owned property in Webster County that was sold at a tax sale, visit AuctionBlock.org to find out if you are owed money. Our help is always free.
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify current statutes and consult a licensed attorney in Mississippi. Last updated: April 2026.