Florida County Real Estate Tax (previously known as property tax) is payable annually to the Tax Collector’s Office (in the County where the property is located). Tax bills are mailed out on or before November 1st each year. Payment is due by March 31st with discounts available for early payment.
Property or Real Estate Tax is an ad valorem tax assessed on the value of the property. Ad valorem is a Latin phrase meaning “according to worth”. The Property Appraiser’s Office establishes the assessed value of a property and prepares the tax roll. Tax notices are served to the owner’s last record of address or, where the property owner pays through an escrow account and their mortgage company has requested to be sent the tax bill, the owner will receive a copy of the notice. Tax bills are normally mailed out on or before November 1st each year.
When you close on the purchase of your property you may receive a credit on your settlement statement for the period of the tax year that you did not own the property. The bill for the full year will subsequently be sent to you in November for payment in full.
If you have a U.S. lender and pay into an escrow account as part of your monthly mortgage payment, your Property Tax bill may be paid by your mortgage company. If you do not have a mortgage or if your mortgage has been secured in your home country you should receive your Property Tax bill directly from the Tax Collector’s office – payment should be made directly to the Tax Collector by March 31st of the following year although discounts are usually available for early payment.
Please note – if you started out with a U.S. mortgage which you subsequently paid off – you must advise the Tax Collector’s Office of your home country address so that the Real Estate Tax bill is mailed to you for payment.
If you purchased a new property the tax will be assessed on land value for the first year; there will be a significant increase on the second year property tax bill when the tax is assessed on the property value.
Property Tax Installment Plan
Non-resident homeowners with no mortgage or holding a non-US mortgage may like to consider participating in the property tax installment payment plan. Instructions appear on the Tax Collector’s websites, select –Property Tax – Alternative Payment Plan.
Please note: the information and filing deadlines provided are specific to the State of Florida. Please contact our office for information relating to the State where your property is located.
