Florida Property Appraisers determine your property’s market value at the beginning of each calendar year. After this, exemptions and classifications are factored in to reach a taxable value of the property. In August, an annual TRIM notice, or Notice of Proposed Property Taxes, will be sent out to property owners advising them of the value and proposed assessment on their properties. As soon as you receive this notice, it is imperative that you contact our office so we can assist you in determining whether the property tax estimate is fair and accurate and if it is not, whether you would like to dispute:
- The property’s value;
- A denial of your application for an exemption (homestead, veterans, or senior citizen);
- A portability denial; or
- denial of your application for property classification (e.g. agricultural or historic).
In Florida, you may appeal your total tax assessments by the following means:
- Requesting an informal conference with your county property appraiser;
- Filing a petition with your local Value Adjustment Board (VAB); or
- Filing a lawsuit in circuit court.
For appeals of the property appraiser’s assessment of your property or of the portability of your ad valorem taxes, a petition must be filed within 25 days after the property appraiser mails the TRIM notice, which is typically in mid-August. The filing deadline can be found on the TRIM notice itself.
For appeals of an exemption or classification of your property, a petition must be filed within 30 days after the property appraiser mails the denial notice, which the property appraiser must mail before July 1st.
Once the petition has been filed, the taxpayer will receive a notice with the date, time, and location of the hearing at least 25 days before the hearing date. An exchange of evidence will occur thereafter, whereby the taxpayer must give the property appraiser a list and summary of evidence that will be presented at the hearing. Likewise, if a written request is made to the property appraiser by the taxpayer, the property appraiser is required to provide a list and summary of the County’s evidence that will be presented at least seven days before the hearing. As a reminder, it is important to note that even though a petition may have been filed with the VAB, the petition must be denied if the taxpayer has not paid his or her non ad valorem assessments and ad valorem taxes before they become delinquent.
An experienced real estate lawyer can simplify the legal process of a property tax appeal, prepare your case, and represent your interests in the courtroom.
Call the Law Offices of Jarrett R. Williams, P.A. today to have our attention to detail and real estate transactional and litigation experience provide you with the insight to achieve solutions to your most complex real estate matters.
“Detail. Insight. Solutions.”
