What is a 'Tax Sale'?

A 'Tax Sale' refers to the public sale of property conducted by a government authority, typically resulting from the property owner failing to pay property taxes. During a tax sale, the government seeks to recover unpaid taxes by selling the property to a third party. This process not only allows local governments to collect owed tax revenue but also offers investors the opportunity to purchase properties, often at a lower price, with the potential for profit.

In this context, the option that describes this process accurately highlights its function as a means for the government to reclaim lost tax revenue through the sale of the property. This sale can occur in various formats, such as a tax lien sale or a tax deed sale, depending on the jurisdiction and the nature of the tax delinquency.

The other choices provided do not correspond to the definition of a tax sale. The first option refers to payments related to maintaining tax accounts, the third one involves the review of real estate records, and the fourth concerns fees for monitoring property tax bills—all of which do not encapsulate the unique process of a tax sale.