In view of the desirability of stable land titles and to encourage landowners to cause their lands to be assessed and pay the taxes thereon, it is the purpose and intent of the Legislature to release all of the state's title and claim and the authority and control of the Auditor to any real estate on which all taxes have been paid for ten consecutive years and release all taxes prior to such ten-year period. If, heretofore or hereafter, all taxes due on any parcel of land for ten consecutive years have been fully paid, all title to any such land acquired by the state prior to said ten-year period or all real property tax liens which subject the lands to the authority and control of the Auditor prior to said ten-year period shall be and is hereby released to the person who would be the owner thereof but for the title of the state or the real property tax liens which subject the lands to the authority and control of the Auditor so released and all unpaid taxes prior to said ten-year period are declared to be fully paid.
Nothing contained in this section shall affect or be held or construed to affect in any way the right or title of a person claiming to any land by transfer as provided in section three, article XIII of the Constitution of the State of West Virginia prior to the repeal of said Constitutional provision in the year one thousand nine hundred ninety-two.
It is the intention of the Legislature that this section shall be both retroactive and prospective.
Structure West Virginia Code
Chapter 11A. Collection and Enforcement of Property Taxes
Article 3. Sale of Tax Liens and Nonentered, Escheated and Waste and Unappropriated Lands
§11A-3-1. Declaration of Legislative Purpose and Policy
§11A-3-2. Second Publication of List of Delinquent Real Estate; Notice
§11A-3-3. Waiver of Notice by Person Claiming Lien
§11A-3-4. Redemption After Second Publication and Before Certification to the Auditor
§11A-3-5. Sale by Sheriff; Immunity; Penalty; Mandamus
§11A-3-5b. Authorization for County Clerk to Perform Duties for Delinquent Land Sales by Sheriff
§11A-3-7. Suspension From Same; Amended Delinquent Lists; Subsequent Sale
§11A-3-8. Certification of Property to the Auditor
§11A-3-9. Sheriff S List of Redemptions and Certifications; Oath
§11A-3-10. Sheriff to Account for Proceeds; Disposition of Surplus
§11A-3-11. Return of List Certifications; Redemptions
§11A-3-12. Amendment of Such List
§11A-3-13. Publication by Sheriff of Certification List
§11A-3-14. Purchase by Individual at Tax Sale; Certificate of Sale
§11A-3-15. Certificate of Sale Assignable
§11A-3-16. Subsequent Tax Payments by Purchaser
§11A-3-17. Sale of Subsequent Tax Liens
§11A-3-18. Limitations on Tax Liens
§11A-3-19. What Purchaser Must Do Before the Deed Can Be Secured
§11A-3-24. Notice of Redemption From Purchases; Moneys Received by Sheriff
§11A-3-25. Distribution of Surplus to Purchaser
§11A-3-27. Deed to Purchaser; Record
§11A-3-28. Compelling Service of Notice or Execution of Deed
§11A-3-29. One Deed for Adjoining Pieces of Real Estate Within the Same Tax District
§11A-3-30. Title Acquired by Individual Purchaser; Action to Quiet Title
§11A-3-31. Effect of Irregularity on Title Acquired by Purchaser
§11A-3-32. Sheriff to Keep Proceeds in Separate Accounts; Disposition
§11A-3-33. State Commissioner of Delinquent and Nonentered Lands
§11A-3-34. Deputy Commissioners of Delinquent and Nonentered Lands; Bond
§11A-3-35. Land Record in Auditor's Office
§11A-3-36. Operating Fund for Land Department in Auditor S Office
§11A-3-36a. Credit Card Approved Form of Payment in Land Department of Auditor's Office
§11A-3-37. Disposition of Nonentered Lands
§11A-3-38. Redemption of Nonentered or Certified Lands
§11A-3-39. Certificate of Redemption Issued by Auditor; Recordation
§11A-3-40. Compulsory Redemption at Election of Auditor
§11A-3-42. Lands Subject to Sale by Auditor
§11A-3-43. Officers to Report Lands Subject to Sale
§11A-3-44. Auditor to Certify List of Lands to Be Sold; Lands So Certified Are Subject to Sale
§11A-3-45. Auditor to Hold Annual Auction
§11A-3-46. Publication of Notice of Auction
§11A-3-47. Redemption Prior to Sale
§11A-3-48. Unsold Lands Subject to Sale Without Auction or Additional Advertising
§11A-3-50. Receipt to Purchaser for Purchase Price
§11A-3-51. Deputy Commissioner to Report Sales to Auditor; Auditor to Approve Sales
§11A-3-52. Duties of Purchaser to Secure a Deed
§11A-3-53. Refund to Purchaser of Payment Made at Auditor S Sale Where Property Is Nonexistent
§11A-3-57. Notice of Redemption to Purchaser; Moneys Received by Sheriff
§11A-3-58. Distribution to Purchaser
§11A-3-59. Deed to Purchaser; Record
§11A-3-60. Compelling Service of Notice or Execution of Deed
§11A-3-61. One Deed for Adjoining Pieces of Real Estate Within the Same Tax District
§11A-3-62. Title Acquired by Individual Purchaser
§11A-3-63. Effect of Irregularity on Title Acquired by Purchaser
§11A-3-65. Right of Former Owner to Surplus Proceeds
§11A-3-66. Compensation of Auditor
§11A-3-67. Liability of Officer Failing to Perform Duty; Penalty
§11A-3-68. Disposition of Lands Heretofore Purchased by or Forfeited to State
§11A-3-70. Release of Title To, and Taxes On, Lands on Which All Taxes Paid for Ten Years
§11A-3-71. Deeds of Deputy Commissioner Conveying Coal, Oil, Gas, Timber and Other Natural Resources