Owning a home in South Florida means keeping up with more than just moving boxes and settling into a new neighborhood. It also means understanding property taxes. Whether you live in Palm Beach, Broward, or Miami-Dade County, property taxes are levied each year to fund schools, fire departments, and local government services.
For many homeowners, learning how to calculate their bills and track each assessment can feel overwhelming. That’s why Established Moving & Storage, a trusted South Florida moving company, created this easy-to-follow property tax guide. With clear explanations and local details, this article helps every taxpayer manage their responsibilities with confidence.
What Are Property Taxes & How Are They Calculated?
Before you can take control of your finances, understanding property taxes begins with knowing how the system works.
In Florida, the county assessor determines your property’s market value, also called the appraised value, and then adjusts it to an assessed value. After subtracting any exemptions like a homestead or veteran exemptions, you’re left with your taxable value. Multiply this number by your city’s millage rate or mill rate to get the exact amount you’ll owe in your yearly tax bill.
This means the tax is an ad-valorem tax, based on real property like land and structures, though it may also apply to commercial property or tangible personal property.
Millage Rates by City in Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County, like Broward and Miami-Dade, sets local tax rates that can vary from monthly to annual obligations depending on payment choice. Each municipality determines its own rate, which is why property tax rates in Boca Raton may differ from those in Jupiter or West Palm Beach.
Larger cities with higher home values and more local revenue often maintain lower local tax burdens than smaller towns. To make the process easier, many counties let you look up your property through a local municipality’s online tax resource.
If you’re working with a realtor or planning a move, comparing real estate tax differences between South Florida neighborhoods can influence your decision.
Important Dates & Payment Windows
A major step in understanding property taxes is knowing when tax payments are due. In South Florida, tax bills are mailed on November 1 and can be paid annually or through installment plans. Discounts apply for early payment, and missing deadlines can put a lien on your home.
Remember that property taxes are paid in arrears, so your bill covers the prior year. Many mortgage lenders collect these funds through an escrow account, rolling them into your mortgage payment to ensure you don’t fall behind.
How to Search & Pay Your Taxes
Palm Beach County provides the Property Appraiser Public Access system, frequently referred to as the PAPA system, where you can determine the assessed value and look up your property record. Once there, you’ll see your home’s assessed value, exemptions, and the estimated value of your property as calculated by the office. You can then make tax payments online, by mail, or in person, with fees depending on the method.
Broward and Miami-Dade offer similar tools, and many local jurisdictions encourage residents to use them. For those new to Florida, these systems provide an applicable way to track local property records and pay property taxes easily.
Exemptions & Caps
Florida offers a variety of tax benefits designed to give tax relief to owners of real estate. Even those purchasing their second homes and legal entities holding real estate may need to reassess their holdings to understand tax exposure.
The homestead exemption protects your primary residence and can reduce the taxable value by up to $50,000. The Save Our Homes cap ensures that increases in assessed value will not rise more than 3% or inflation, whichever is lower. Without this, property values that would increase sharply after a purchase price change could leave homeowners financially strained.
There are also homeowners with disabilities exemptions and programs for seniors.
Appeals & Deferrals
If you feel your property assessment is unfair, you can file an appeal. Each August, a truth-in-millage notice, known as the TRIM notice, is issued, which outlines the local tax rate, your home’s assessed value, and the projected tax bill. If errors appear, you can request a review or petition the Value Adjustment Board.
Options such as deferrals or semiannual plans exist for homeowners who are struggling financially. Without action, the county can put a lien on your home, which may complicate your mortgage or your ability to rent or sell in the future.
FAQs
Do South Florida property taxes pay in arrears?
Yes. Bills sent in November cover the prior year, and property taxes are paid after services are already delivered.
What happens if I don’t get a bill?
Even if you don’t receive a property tax bill, you are still responsible for payment. Always check with your local jurisdictions or the local municipality’s online tax resource.
Can I pay in installments?
Yes. Counties allow installment plans for property taxes that can be broken into quarterly or semiannual options if you apply early.
Local Resources
- Palm Beach County Property Appraiser (PAPA)
- Palm Beach County Tax Collector
- Broward County Property Appraiser
- Miami-Dade Property Appraiser
Get in Touch With Our Experts Today
For homeowners in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, understanding property taxes is key to long-term stability. From exemptions to tax relief, knowing your assessment details helps avoid surprises.
At Established Moving & Storage, we know that relocating often brings new costs like real estate taxes, local property assessments, and even planning for future tax payments. These new expenses are one reason why we work to keep our quotes affordable. As a trusted moving company in South Florida, our team works with homeowners every day who need to balance their mortgage payments with moving expenses.
Get in touch with the South Florida movers who understand both the moving process and the financial realities of settling into your next chapter across the country or right here in your neighborhood.
To learn more about our services or the area we call home, read some of our other articles today.
Local Resources
- Palm Beach County Property Appraiser (PAPA)
- Palm Beach County Tax Collector
- Broward County Property Appraiser
- Miami-Dade Property Appraiser
