I find that each county interprets the Florida Statues about tax deed sales differently and when one county may answer that question one way, the next county has a different answer.
However, in general terms, the county will hold the unclaimed surplus for a year and then turn it over to the state of Florida. The Property Owner can still claim it when it goes to the state, there is never a deadline for the property owner, only lien holders.
ALL lienholders (except the IRS) will have just 120 Days (from the date the surplus notice was mailed) to put in their claim of they are forever barred from doing so and the entire surplus amount is owed to the previous owner.
To make completely sure the lien holder deadline has passed, consider 210 days (90 days for the county to 'do their thing and get the surplus notice mailed' + 120 Days) after the date of the auction to be the actual lien holder deadline.
Florida has VERY OPEN public record laws. You can call or email ANY of the counties Clerk of Court offices and they will answer your questions based on their own county. We have contact information in your Account Area