Well, I asked a question in the answer area. How dumb. Anyway, the property beside us, 4.5 acres has been undeveloped for over 30 years. The owner has not paid taxes in 2 years. We called the Stafford Co. Tax office in Stafford, VA and wanted to pay the taxes so we can purchase the property so it will not be developed. Can we do this? How do we find out how much they owe?

no, your paying the taxes for him, is only paying his taxes.

You have to wait till the county puts them up for sale at the county tax sale. They do this when property gets 2 to 3 years in arrears normally.
You need to ask the county tax office when they will have their tax sale.

It will be set up as a auction format, the bid starts at the value of the tax.
Sometimes there is no one else to bid on it, and sometimes the bids go to 10 times the tax value.

Well anyway, it is not just paying the other persons tax, but buying the property for a tax deed ( some states certificate) at the official tax sale.

If that property was previous for sale at a tax sale and no one bid on it, at times you may be allowed to buy it for the taxes from the clerk, but that varies greatly from state to state ( and sometimes by county)

In some states ( sorry not up on VA) the people who used to own the property will have a right to redeem ( get it back) for a period sometimes up to 2 years. In other state, you get clear title at the sale.
So you need to find out your states speciific laws. Often the tax clerk can give you a lot of info on it. Or a real estate attorney, mayeven be better

Katkollmer,

After about 2 years of non-payment, the county (Spotsylvania) will send the property to Thomas Birken. You can fax his office a request to be put on a mailer (540.371.8158) for the next auction. The next auction, I am told will not be until the fall.
For a little overkill, the statute which guides this public auction is 58.13965.

HTH,

Matt

As pointed out, you cannot get the property just by paying tax arrears. So, if you want the property, you can wait for the tax sale and bid on it or you can contact the owner and offer to buy it.