Introduction
Listen, I know how it feels when you’re holding onto a house and the county comes knocking. Every month, Dallas County posts a list of properties behind on taxes, and on the first Tuesday of the month, those houses are sold at the Dallas County property tax auction. Dallas County Public Works
If your property is on that list — or your inherited family home is behind on taxes — the county doesn’t care about the memories, they care about the money. But the good news is: you’ve still got options.
👉 Need to stop a Dallas County property tax auction fast? Get your cash offer today. Get My Cash Offer
1. Why Houses Go to the Dallas County Property Tax Auction
If you’re behind on taxes, the county puts the property on the auction list. Auctions happen monthly, the first Tuesday of each month. Dallas County Public Works
Dallas County holds monthly online sheriff auctions. Dallas County Property Tax Auction
2. What If You Inherited the House?
Sometimes the house going to auction isn’t even in your name — it belonged to your grandma, auntie, or a parent who passed away. In this line of business, I often hear people say things like:
“That’s my grandma’s house” or “Aunt Robin left us this house.”
The problem is, if the deed was never updated or the taxes weren’t paid, the county doesn’t care who’s living there — they’ll still put it on the tax auction list.
👉 That’s where an Affidavit of Heirship or probate process comes in. It helps prove you’re the rightful heir so you can either:
- Take ownership officially
- Sell the property before the auction
- Work out a solution without losing it to the county
At Legacy Properties TX, we walk families through this so you don’t lose everything for nothing.
Learn more about who we are on our About Us page.
3. Your Options If You’re Facing a Dallas County Property Tax Auction
Pay the Balance Before Auction
If you can pay the back taxes in full, this is the fastest way to stop the auction.
Important: Dallas County does not accept payment plans once your property has been listed for auction. The only way to save your house at this point is to pay the full balance for the exact amount owed.
Payments must be made in person at the county tax office and only with a cashier’s check or money order. Partial payments, personal checks, or online payments will not stop the sale.
If you want to check your balance, use the official Dallas County Tax Payment Lookup.
File for Bankruptcy
Filing bankruptcy can temporarily stop the Dallas County property tax auction, but it comes with major downsides:
- You’ll have to pay filing fees and legal costs.
- It will cause a serious hit to your credit that lasts for years.
- It does not erase the taxes — it only delays the process.
For most homeowners, this option is a short-term pause, not a real solution.
You can learn more directly from the Texas Bankruptcy Court.
Sell the Property As-Is Before Auction
Selling the house before auction is often the fastest clean slate. You avoid losing everything, keep any remaining equity, and stop the county from taking the property. A professional homebuyer (like Legacy Properties TX) can make a cash offer, buy as-is, and close quickly — sometimes in days.
Learn more about how we help Dallas homeowners sell fast.
4. Other Options People Ask About (and Why They Don’t Work)
Filing a Restraining Order Against the County
Some homeowners wonder if they can “file a restraining order to stop a Dallas County property tax auction.” Unfortunately, this isn’t legally possible. A restraining order is meant for personal protection cases — not for stopping a tax foreclosure, which is a court-authorized process.
The only real ways to prevent an auction are:
Filing bankruptcy (though that comes with serious consequences).
Paying the delinquent taxes in full (with the rules above),
Setting up a payment plan before the property is listed for auction, or
5. How Legacy Properties TX Helps Families in Dallas
Legacy Properties TX focuses on community-based solutions. We:
- Help heirs with paperwork (Affidavit of Heirship, probate connections)
- Buy properties fast to stop the auction clock
- Assist families with relocation if renters are involved
- Close quickly with fair, cash offers
👉 Don’t wait until the Dallas County property tax auction. Legacy Properties TX can help you stop foreclosure in Dallas — no agents, no waiting. Get My Cash Offer
Don’t Wait Until Auction Day
Once it’s auction day, the county takes it — and it’s gone. Don’t let your house or your family’s inheritance disappear for nothing.