Making the most of property assessors offices in Florida will require the office to assess the market value of a property. This value is then multiplied by the tax rate to determine the actual tax that the owner must pay on the property each year. Property tax rates may be set by organizations such as cities, counties or school districts.

Florida property assessors offices use factors like location and size to determine the value of a property. This assessment is usually accurate and requires a property value appeal only on rare occasions. There are three things you need to do when evaluating the property value as determined by the assessor’s office:

1. Obtain the information the Florida property assessor uses to make the assessment. You should already know the size and location of the property, but the assessor will also be able to provide the value of other properties in your area.
2. Get a professional appraisal so you may compare it to the property value by the Florida assessor.
3. Appeal the assessor’s valuation of your property if needed. Florida assessors have a specific procedure for accomplishing this.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn more about the laws regarding Florida property tax records

Each state has laws that provide guidelines on the way that property values are assessed. There also may be laws that specify what property tax information is publicly available.

I recommend: The Florida Department of Revenue lists the specific legislation related to property taxes. Lucienvaillancourt.com discusses the latest changes to property tax laws in Florida and also has a FAQ on property tax exemptions.

Find out how professional appraisers determine Florida property values

Appraisers may use different methods to estimate the value of your property. You will want to ensure the professional appraiser considers the same factors as the property assessor.

I recommend: Brevard County Property Appraiser provides property appraisals in Florida and also offers a FAQ on property values. Lake County Property Appraiser answers questions on fair market value and allowable property tax exemptions in Florida.

Learn how your county performs a Florida property assessment

Many counties have online resources available to help you with your property tax assessment. You should be able to locate this information on your county's website, in addition to other information regarding property taxes.

I recommend: The Jackson County Property Appraiser provides links to information on how the fair market value of a property is determined. The Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser offers resources on property appraisals including an online tax estimator.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check with your Florida property assessor to see if you qualify for any exemptions on your property assessment. Exemptions may be recognized for disabled veterans, senior citizens or non-profit organizations. File any appeals to your current tax assessment before the tax deadline. It will be more difficult to obtain a favorable ruling on an appeal after the deadline.

Florida property records are found in each Florida county. There are 67 counties in the state of Florida. Each of those counties maintains their own Florida property assessment office. The main functions of the Florida property assessors offices are to perform property assessments and to administer property exemptions. They do not determine the taxes that are owed each year.

In addition to property assessment, Florida property assessors offices also administer tax exemptions. The county offices for each Florida assessor office sends out a notice of proposed property taxes in August and the final bills are mailed to property owners in November.

Several steps can be taken to utilize the services of the Florida assessors office.

1. Find your local Florida property assessor office;

2. Discover any exemptions you may be eligible for;

3. Review property tax bill and contact the Florida property tax assessor with any discrepancies.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Identify Florida property assessors in the Panhandle of Florida

Description:Since each Florida property assessors office are run on the county level, in order to achieve the most reliable information you must contact your county directly.

I recommend: Contact your local assessors office. Four of the largest counties in the Florida panhandle are Okaloosa county, Jackson county, Madison county and Suwanee county.

Find Florida assessors in North Florida

North Florida contains may large counties and the Florida assessors within them are glad to assist you in any way.

I recommend: Check with a North Florida county directly. Four of the larger counties in this Florida region are Duval county, Volusia county, Marion county and Levy county.

Talk with Florida property assessors offices in Central Florida

Central Florida is the home to many of the states theme parks. Property here is at a premium and all Florida property records are maintained by each individual county.

I recommend: The Central Florida region takes up a great deal of the state. Four of the major counties within this region are Polk county, Orange county, Hillsborough county and Brevard county.

Familiarize yourself with Florida assessor offices in South Florida

Last but certainly not least is South Florida. Home to the Florida Keys and the Everglades, the Florida property values here can fluctuate a great deal.

I recommend: Talk with your local county office prior to any land purchase or sales. Four of the dominant counties in this are Miami-Dade county, Palm Beach county, Broward county and Collier county.

Understand Florida property tax assessor exemptions

Property assessors in Florida maintain the Florida property tax records. The amount of your annual property tax can be greatly reduced by exemptions such as homestead exemption, widow's and widower's exemption, disability exemptions and senior exemptions. To apply contact your county's appraiser's office.

I recommend: Check to see if you qualify for any of the stated exemptions, and then apply for approved exemptions via your county's appraiser's office.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If the property being assessed is used as business property, the equipment on the property could possibly lower the property taxes based on equipment depreciation and on your Florida property assessor's guidelines.

Employees who undergo property assessors offices in Florida education and training must be able to determine the fair market value of real estate and personal property. Property assessors who work for the government may also assess property taxes by appraising the property, then applying prescribed tax schedules.

The qualifications required for Florida assessors depend primarily on the value of the property and manner in which the transaction will be financed. These requirements can be grouped into three general categories:

1. Education. Property assessors in Florida usually hold at least a bachelor’s degree, preferably in economics, finance or real estate. A property assessor will also need to complete additional coursework that is specific to property appraisal. This specialized education is usually taken from a community college or professional organization for appraisers.

2. Experience. Property appraisers will also need to acquire on-the-job training under the supervision of a qualified professional appraiser.

3. Licenses and certifications. Appraisers who perform property appraisals are required by federal law to have a license if the transaction will involve a federal loan of $250,000 or more.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Complete the courses needed to work in Florida property assessors offices

There are a variety of on-site universities and distance learning classes that teach students to assess Florida property values. These institutions should update their curriculum frequently to reflect changes in the state's educational requirements for property appraisers.

I recommend: The Bert Rodgers Schools for Real Estate offers a program that has been approved by the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board (FREAB). Real Estate Education Specialists is licensed to provide basic and continuing education for appraisers in Florida.

Get on-the-job training for Florida property assessment

Job training for property appraisers in Florida has specific requirements, as laid out by the Florida Real Estate Appraisers Board. These requirements stipulate the length of time the training must take, the way in which the mentor must monitor the process, and the type of experience the trainee must acquire.

I recommend: The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation provides the current work experience required for property appraisers in Florida. Chapter 475 of the Florida Statute covers property appraisers, including their job training requirements.

Become a licensed Florida property assessor

Florida recognizes three categories of appraisers. A registered trainee appraiser must work under the direct supervision of a licensed appraiser. A certified residential appraiser can perform appraisals on residential property, and a certified general appraiser can perform appraisals on all types of property.

I recommend: The American Business College lists the current licensing requirements for appraisers in Florida. America's Real Estate Academy provides the eligibility, licensing and post-licensing requirements for all types of Florida property appraisers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A Florida property tax assessor must meet the minimum certification and licensing requirements established by the Appraisal Qualifications Board (AQB) of the Appraisal Foundation. However, many states have more stringent licensing requirements than those required by the AQB. For example, a state may require an appraisal license for all appraisers regardless of the transaction value of the property.