As a technical legal rule, the answer is that the buyer of a foreclosure home is not personally liable for back taxes that remain owed. However, the back taxes may well still serve as a lien on the property that can be foreclosed by the taxing authority. In other words, the government cannot make you pay the taxes, but they can take the property from you if the taxes are not paid. As a result, the real world answer is that the buyer of a foreclosed home is responsible for any back taxes still owed. Before you purchase foreclosed property, it is always a good idea to check the tax records to see if any back taxes are still owed. If they are, plan on paying them off as soon as possible. Unfortunately the new owner will still be responsible for the taxes. My friend got what she thought was a great deal on a split level until she got a bill for six thousand dollars back taxes. She was unable to pay so she lost the house.