Property Taxes Frequently Asked Questions
Current Tax FAQs
Q. What is an Ad Valorem Tax?
A. A Latin term meaning 'according to worth'. It refers to taxes levied on the basis of value. Taxes on real estate and tangible personal property are ad valorem.
Q. My Tax Search did not return the desired results. What did I do wrong?
A. If the property has changed ownership within the last twelve months the tax data may contain the previous ownership information. If your search by name was unsuccessful you can get the name of the property owner by using the Property Appraiser's website to search by property identification or by address. If you are still unsuccessful please call the Property Appraisers Office at (954) 357-6830 during normal business hours 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Q. Can I pay my current years Taxes On-Line?
A. Yes! We accept Visa, Master Card, Discover Card, and American Express Card. We also accept Debit Cards that have a Visa or Master Card Logo. There is a convenience fee for using your credit or debit card. However, you may also pay using a US checking account and there is no fee for this service. Only the current year taxes can be paid on line. Please note: Credit card payments must be less than $100,000 and can not be split among multiple cards.
Q. Can I pay my current years Taxes By Telephone?
A. Yes! We accept Visa, Master Card, Discover Card, and American Express Card. We also accept Debit Cards that have a Visa or Master Card Logo. There is a convenience fee for using your credit or debit card. Only the current year taxes can be paid on line. Please call 1-800-601-1069. Please note: Credit card payments must be less than $100,000 and can not be split among multiple cards.
Q. If I pay my account by Credit Card, how long does it take to update the information after payment?
A. The payment will be updated by the next business date.
Please Note that no payment will be allowed by credit card from the end of May until November 1st.
Q. Where are you located and what are your hours?
A. We are located at the Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Avenue, Annex Building, Room A100, Fort Lauderdale, Fl., 33301. Hours of operation are 8:30am - 5:00pm Monday through Friday. DO NOT MAIL PAYMENTS TO THIS ADDRESS.
Q. When are taxes due?
A. The tax bills are mailed every year on or before November 1. These are due by March 31 the following year. If you pay your taxes early you are entitled to a discount of 4% during the month of November, 3% December, 2% January and 1% in February. Taxes become delinquent on April 1; if taxes are not paid a tax certificate will be sold on or before June 1. If you do not receive a tax bill you can view this information online or please call us at (954) 831-4000.
Q. Can I pay my taxes on a payment schedule?
A. Current taxes are payable in full when due.Section 197.222 Florida Statutes, allow an alternative plan for prepayment of property taxes in quarterly installments. A taxpayer who elects to prepay taxes shall make payments based upon an estimated tax equal to the actual taxes levied upon the subject property in the prior year. To enroll in installment payments, you must sign up for this payment plan by May 1st to be eligible to participate in the program for the NEXT tax year. Click here to download an Installment Application -- (.pdf) 48 kb
Q. What is the millage rate?
A. Millage is the percentage rate at which property is taxed. Each taxing authority (school board, County Commission, South Florida Water Management, etc.) sets its own millage rate. Click here to view the current Millage Rates (.pdf) -- 58 kb
Q. I don't own the property any more, but I got the bill; what do I do?
A. The Property Appraiser may not have been notified of the sale, or the sale took place after the tax roll was prepared. The Property Appraiser prepares the tax roll on or about July 1st. Therefore, any sale occurring after that day may not reflect the new owner's information. We suggest that you complete the Property Appraiser's Ownership/Address Change Card (.pdf) found on their website. You may also contact the Property Appraisers office at (954) 357-6830.
Q. If I have declared personal bankruptcy, am I still responsible for my property taxes?
A. In many situations, as long as you still own the property and you did not surrender the property to the Trustee or the Court you would be responsible for the taxes. However, consult your Bankruptcy Attorney to find out how this applies to your situation.
Q. I just bought the property, but I paid the taxes at closing; why am I getting a bill?
A. As the 'new' owner you did not actually pay the taxes at closing. It is impossible to have paid the current taxes prior to November 1st since bills are not mailed out until October 31st. You may have received a prorated amount of taxes from the previous owner making you fully responsible for the entire amount. You should review your documents or contact the institution that handled your closing to clarify this matter. The property taxes follow the property not the previous owner.
Q. My tax bill two months ago was less than this bill; why is that?
A. You are probably referring to a TRIM (Truth In Millage) Notice that is sent by the Property Appraiser's Office to inform you of the proposed taxes. The TRIM notice is not a bill. The TRIM notice contains the place and time where the various taxing authorities will meet to set the tax rate. If you believe your assessment is too high, contact the Property Appraiser's office. If you think your taxes are too high, contact the governing body of the jurisdiction in question. Each taxing body is required to hold two public hearings before they set the tax rate. They welcome responsible comments from taxpayers like you when setting their budgets and tax rates. Click here to find the phone number for the taxing authority. (.pdf) -- 48 kb
Q. Why did I receive an information notice instead of a tax bill?
A. An information notice means that a mortgage company/bank as listed on the notice, has requested the tax bill. The actual tax bill was sent to the mortgage company or bank. We strongly urge you to check with the mortgage company/bank to be sure the taxes are paid.Click here to find the phone number for the mortgage companies. (.pdf) -- 70 kb
Q. Why did I receive a tax bill if my mortgage company pays my taxes?
A. If you received the actual bill, then the mortgage company did not request it. We strongly urge you to check with your mortgage company to be sure they received a copy of the bill and that they will be paying the bill. You can send a copy of your bill to the mortgage company if the mortgage company did not receive it.Click here to find the phone number for the mortgage companies. (.pdf) -- 70 kb
Q. Why did my bill go up so much after last year?
A. The assessed value of the property could have gone up or the owner may have lost an exemption. The amount of your tax bill depends on two factors. The first is the assessed value of your property, which is the responsibility of the Property Appraiser. The second is the tax rate, expressed as dollars per thousand, for each taxing body in which your property is located. For example, your property might be subject to taxes by Broward County, the School Board, a City, a Hospital District and multi-county districts such as the South Florida Water Management District. The sum of each of these tax rates is multiplied by your assessed value and equals the amount of taxes you are called on to pay.
If you believe your assessment is too high, contact the Property Appraisers Office at (954) 357-6830. If you think that your taxes are too high, contact the governing body of the jurisdiction in question. Each taxing body is required to hold two public hearings before they set the tax rate. They welcome responsible comments from taxpayers like you when setting their budgets and tax rates. Click here to find the phone number for the taxing authority. (.pdf) -- 48 kb
If you would like to file a petition relating to the market value of your property and/or denial of exemptions and classifications, contact the Value Adjustment Board. The Broward County Value Adjustment Board is composed of three members of the Broward County Commission and two members of the School Board. The Board is completely independent of Broward County Revenue Collection and the Property Appraiser's office.
Q. Why did the bill come to me with a different owner's name?
A. The Property Appraiser may not have been notified of the sale, or the sale took place after the tax roll was prepared. The Property Appraiser prepares the roll usually by July 1st. Therefore, any sale occurring after that date may not reflect the new owner's information. We suggest that you complete the Property Appraiser's Ownership/Address Change Card found on their website. You may also contact them at (954) 357-6830.
Q. My taxes are too high; why is Broward County Revenue Collection charging me so much?
A. Broward County Revenue Collection is responsible for the notification, collection and distribution of payments. The amount of your tax bill depends on two factors. The first is the assessed value of your property, which is the responsibility of the Property Appraiser. The second is the tax rate, expressed as dollars per thousand, for each taxing body in which your property is located. For example, your property might be subject to taxes by Broward County, the School Board, a City, a Hospital District and multi-county districts such as the South Florida Water Management District. The sum of each of these tax rates is multiplied by your assessed value and equals the amount of taxes you are called on to pay.
If you believe your assessment is too high, contact the Property Appraisers Office at (954) 357-6830. If you think that your taxes are too high, contact the governing body of the jurisdiction in question. Each taxing body is required to hold two public hearings before they set the tax rate. They welcome responsible comments from taxpayers like you when setting their budgets and tax rates. Click here to find the phone number for the taxing authority.
If you would like to file a petition relating to the market value of your property and/or denial of exemptions and classifications, contact the Value Adjustment Board. The Broward County Value Adjustment Board is composed of three members of the Broward County Commission and two members of the School Board. The Board is completely independent of Broward County Revenue Collection and the Property Appraiser's office.
Q. When do my taxes become Delinquent?
A. Taxes become delinquent on April 1st 197.333 Florida Statutes. For more information regarding delinquent taxes, please view our Delinquent Tax FAQ's or call (954) 468-3426 or (954) 468-3427 for more Delinquent tax information.
Q. How do I change the mailing address on my tax bill?
A. You must complete the Property Appraiser's Ownership/Address Change Card found on their website. You may also contact them at (954) 357-6830.
Q. I did not receive my property tax bill, am I not entitled to the discount?
A. Pursuant to 197.122, Florida Statutes 'All owners of property will be held to know that taxes are due and payable annually.' Therefore, failure to receive a tax bill does not relieve the responsibility for payment, nor constitute cause for cancellation of penalty and/or cost charges if the bill becomes delinquent. Keep in mind that tax bills are mailed out by the end of October and may be paid after November 1st.
Q. Why am I charged a fee for paying online with my credit card?
A. Florida Statute 215.322(5) authorizes governments to accept payment by use of credit cards, charge cards and bank debit cards for financial obligations that are owed and to surcharge the person who uses a credit card, charge or bank debit card in payment of taxes, an amount sufficient to pay the service fee charges by the financial institution or credit card company for such services. Broward County resolution 2000-1169 establishes the convenience fee schedule. Click here to view the convenience fees.
Q. Are there any other payment locations?
A. Payment can be made in person with cash or check at the following Wachovia Bank branches from November 1st until March 31st. Please note: You must have your tax bill coupon in order to pay at Wachovia Bank. Credit card payments cannot be accepted. There is a limit of 3 transactions per person.
1790 N. Pine Island Road, Plantation, FL 33322
10191 Cleary Blvd, Plantation, FL 33324
5899 W. Oakland Park Blvd, Lauderhill, FL 33313
400 E. Sample Road, Pompano Beach, FL 33064
3668 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33064
5321 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33073
3201 N. University Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33065
5902 Coral Ridge Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33076
1460 Coral Ridge Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33071
3300 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306
199 N. Ocean Blvd., Pompano Beach, FL 33062
1007 S. Federal Highway, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
12399 Sheridan Street, Cooper City, FL 33026
10480 Taft Street, Cooper City, FL 33026
11 Weston Road, Sunrise, FL 33326
3325 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, FL 33021
6015 Washington Street, Hollywood, FL 33023
4600 Sheridan Street, Hollywood, FL 33021
1710 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
350 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
1100 W. State Road 84, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
18499 Miramar Parkway, Miramar, FL 33029
6810 Miramar Parkway, Miramar, FL 33023
278 Indian Trace, Weston, Fl 33326
1700 W. Commercial Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
4101 W. Commercial Blvd., Tamarac, FL 33319
800 W. Cypress Creek Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Q. What address do I mail my payment?
A. Mail payments to:
Broward County Revenue Collection
P.O. Box 29009
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33302-9009
Q. Is there a listing available of unpaid property taxes or of delinquent property taxes?
A. A full file listing is available on CD-ROM. Please contact 954-357-6275, for a current price quote, payment and delivery information or send an e-mail to revenue@broward.org.
Q. I just paid off my mortgage and want to start receiving my own tax bill; What should I do?
A. You should notify the mortgage lender advising them take you off their escrow account and not to request your tax bill any longer. If you still do not receive your tax bill you can call our office (954-831-4000) to get the amount over the phone, request a bill or go online to obtain the information.
Make checks payable to: Broward County Revenue Collection.
