Tax Foreclosure Surplus Funds in Churchill County, Nevada: What Homeowners Need to Know
Losing your Churchill County, Nevada home to foreclosure is painful. What makes it worse is not knowing the sale may have generated surplus funds that are rightfully yours.
When a property sells at a tax foreclosure auction for more than the delinquent taxes owed, the difference is called surplus funds. The 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Tyler v. Hennepin County made it clear: the government cannot keep this extra money. It belongs to the former property owner.
How Tax Sales Work in Churchill County
In Nevada, the county treasurer takes delinquent properties into trust and may sell them at public auction under NRS 361.585. If the property sells for more than taxes and costs owed, the excess is called "excess proceeds." The county keeps the first $300 plus 10% of the next $10,000; the rest is held for you in a separate account.
In Churchill County, the County Treasurer handles tax collection and the sale process.
Your Right to Surplus Funds
Under NRS 361.610, claims for excess proceeds are paid in priority order to parties with interests in the property. The former owner is entitled to whatever remains after higher-priority claims.
Critical Deadlines
- 1 year: You must file within one year of the deed being recorded. After that, money goes to the county general fund permanently (NRS 361.610(4)).
- 90 days: If denied, you have 90 days to seek judicial review.
Steps to Take Now
- Contact the Churchill County Treasurer immediately about excess proceeds from your property sale.
- File your claim within one year of the deed recording date. Miss this and the money is gone forever.
- Prepare proof of identity and former ownership: deed, title records, government ID, tax correspondence.
- If denied, consult an attorney about judicial review within the 90-day window.
Free Help Is Available
AuctionBlock.org is a mission-driven company that helps former property owners recover surplus funds for a flat $4,999 fee upon successful recovery. If you lost property in Churchill County to a tax sale, visit AuctionBlock.org to find out if money is waiting for you.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Tax foreclosure laws change frequently, especially post-Tyler v. Hennepin County. Verify current deadlines with the Churchill County Treasurer or a licensed Nevada attorney. Current as of April 2026.