Editor’s Note: This article summarizes real property taxes in the Sunshine state, Florida. Read on to learn more!
In addition to state income taxes, any individual who owns real property is subject to state real property taxes. Florida doesn’t tax income at the state level, but Floridians are required to pay real property taxes (and other taxes) in Florida.
Property tax is a system of taxation that requires owners of land and buildings to pay an amount of money based on the value of their land and buildings.State real property taxes vary from state to state. For instance, your Florida real property tax rates will differ from those in a different state.
Who Owes Florida Property Taxes?
If you own real property as an individual or business, you pay property tax on it in Florida. Even if the property was gifted to you through an estate or you own a rental property, you are still required to pay Florida real property taxes.
There is no minimum or maximum of real property taxes you could owe in Florida. Whether you have a $10,000 or $1,000,000 house, you will owe real property taxes in Florida.
How is Florida Property Tax Calculated?
Real property tax rates vary from state to state. In fact, state and local governments use various methods to calculate your real property tax base.
Property value is determined by a local tax assessor. County appraisers establish the value of your property each year as of January 1. They review and apply exemptions, assessment limitations, and classifications that may reduce your property’s taxable value.
Use the drop-down menu found on the Florida Department of Revenue website to find your county property appraiser’s website.
What is the Florida Property Tax Rate?
Florida’s average real property tax rate is 0.98%, which is slightly lower than the U.S. average of 1.08%. The average Florida homeowner pays $1,752 each year in real property taxes, although that amount varies between counties.
Florida real property tax rates are implemented in millage rates, which is 1/10 of a percent. This equates to $1 in taxes for every $1,000 in home value.
Here are the median property tax payments and average effective tax rate by Florida county.
| County | Average Tax Payment | Average Effective Property Tax Rate | ||
| Alachua | $1,965 | 1.18% | ||
| Baker | $947 | 0.78% | ||
| Bay | $1,144 | 0.69% | ||
| Bradford | $761 | 0.84% | ||
| Brevard | $1,460 | 0.90% | ||
| Broward | $2,503 | 1.12% | ||
| Calhoun | $520 | 0.65% | ||
| Charlotte | $1,706 | 1.03% | ||
| Citrus | $939 | 0.80% | ||
| Clay | $1,444 | 0.87% | ||
| Collier | $2,233 | 0.71% | ||
| Columbia | $1,144 | 1.02% | ||
| DeSoto | $1,014 | 1.21% | ||
| Dixie | $542 | 0.76% | ||
| Duval | $1,519 | 0.97% | ||
| Escambia | $998 | 0.79% | ||
| Flagler | $1,726 | 0.92% | ||
| Franklin | $909 | 0.67% | ||
| Gadsden | $865 | 0.85% | ||
| Gilchrist | $760 | 0.79% | ||
| Glades | $848 | 1.06% | ||
| Gulf | $888 | 0.59% | ||
| Hamilton | $710 | 0.97% | ||
| Hardee | $841 | 1.04% | ||
| Hendry | $978 | 1.23% | ||
| Hernando | $1,094 | 0.91% | ||
| Highlands | $846 | 0.96% | ||
| Hillsborough | $1,836 | 1.02% | ||
| Holmes | $569 | 0.62% | ||
| Indian River | $1,476 | 0.86% | ||
| Jackson | $579 | 0.61% | ||
| Jefferson | $1,133 | 0.86% | ||
| Lafayette | $802 | 0.79% | ||
| Lake | $1,476 | 0.95% | ||
| Lee | $1,853 | 0.97% | ||
| Leon | $1,851 | 0.99% | ||
| Levy | $745 | 0.84% | ||
| Liberty | $574 | 0.92% | ||
| Madison | $771 | 0.88% | ||
| Manatee | $1,839 | 0.93% | ||
| Marion | $1,177 | 0.99% | ||
| Martin | $2,276 | 0.98% | ||
| Miami-Dade | $2,523 | 1.04% | ||
| Monroe | $2,971 | 0.69% | ||
| Nassau | $1,727 | 0.85% | ||
| Okaloosa | $1,426 | 0.72% | ||
| Okeechobee | $1,130 | 1.26% | ||
| Orange | $1,949 | 1.01% | ||
| Osceola | $1,503 | 0.91% | ||
| Palm Beach | $2,712 | 1.12% | ||
| Pasco | $1,290 | 0.96% | ||
| Pinellas | $1,566 | 0.94% | ||
| Polk | $1,101 | 0.91% | ||
| Putnam | $908 | 1.10% | ||
| Santa Rosa | $2,662 | 0.97% | ||
| Sarasota | $1,856 | 1.23% | ||
| Seminole | $1,303 | 0.76% | ||
| St. Johns | $1,885 | 0.88% | ||
| St. Lucie | $1,902 | 0.94% | ||
| Sumter | $2,252 | 0.94% | ||
| Suwannee | $909 | 0.98% | ||
| Taylor | $765 | 0.90% | ||
| Union | $780 | 0.88% | ||
| Volusia | $1,468 | 0.98% | ||
| Wakulla | $1,050 | 0.79% | ||
| Walton | $1,087 | 0.54% | ||
| Washington | $699 | 0.68% | ||
(Source: Smart Asset)
What Are Property Taxes Used For?
The money collected by Florida is used for multiple public services throughout the state. It could be used for:
- First responders and other law enforcement
- General government services
- Local levies
- Municipal infrastructure and land construction or improvements
- Municipal employees’ pay
- Resident services like garbage pickup
- Recreational services
- Protective services
How Do You Pay Florida Property Tax?
If you pay your mortgage, it’s likely you are already paying your Florida real property taxes. A standard mortgage payment usually includes:
- Principal
- Interest
- Homeowner’s insurance
- Florida property taxes
Look at your current mortgage statement and determine if your Florida real property taxes are paid as part of your monthly mortgage. It will likely be listed as a line item on the statement.
If not, you can access each county’s payment options through the Florida Department of Revenue.
When Do You Have to Pay Florida Property Taxes?
Florida property tax due dates depend on the county within Florida.
Where to go for State Tax Help
Property taxes can be confusing. Gauging your property tax amount is important because you don’t want to be be paying too much, too little, or not at all.
Beyond this, there are many federal deductions you can take that could offset the cost of owning a Florida real property. But to determine how much the deduction is, who gets it, and when can be tricky.
If you’re looking for additional support with your Florida real property tax questions, look no furtherthan H&R Block Virtual. We’ll pair you with a tax pro with state-specific expertise. You can have your taxes done by a real tax pro without visiting an office.
Prefer a different way to file? No problem – you can find Florida state tax expertise with all of our ways to file taxes.
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