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Goodwill asks Washington County to reverse tax sale after assessor mailed bill to former owner
Summary
A Goodwill representative told supervisors the county's tax assessor mailed a 2023 tax bill for a Leland building to the prior owner in Florida; Goodwill says it was never notified and asked the board to reverse taxes and penalties, while county counsel said law likely prevents retroactive relief and recommended paying under protest.
An unidentified Goodwill representative told the Washington County Board of Supervisors that the nonprofit purchased a former Office Depot building on Dec. 5, 2022, and later discovered a 2023 property tax bill had been mailed to Office Depot in Boca Raton, Florida. The representative said the lien became delinquent, the property was sold at tax sale, and the sale becomes final April 1; Goodwill reported a current tax debt of roughly $170,000 and asked the board to reverse the taxes and related penalties so the nonprofit would not lose the property.
County legal staff responded that Goodwill’s tax-exempt application was not submitted in time to cover the 2023 tax year. “We cannot do it retroactively,” county counsel said, adding that state law generally entitles a purchaser at a tax sale to penalties and interest. Counsel advised Goodwill to consult its corporate attorney and recommended paying the 2023 assessment under protest to preserve the right to seek relief in court if appropriate.
Goodwill’s representative said the organization paid about $42,000 at closing in 2022 and stressed the property supports workforce programs in the community. County staff said they would follow up with the chancery clerk to confirm when the exemption paperwork arrived and whether any tax deed had been recorded; until that review is complete the board took no action to cancel the sale or penalties.
The board’s interim guidance: county staff recommended that Goodwill pay the 2023 assessment under protest and pursue legal options with corporate counsel while the county reviews records about the 2024 exemption submission. No board motion was made to cancel penalties or interest at the meeting.
What happens next: County staff said they will verify receipt dates with the chancery clerk’s office and notify Goodwill; Goodwill plans to consult its corporate counsel about a protest or subsequent legal steps.
