Welcome

On behalf of Marsha M. Faux, Polk County Property Appraiser, welcome to our web site. We hope you find the information inside easily accessible and useful. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us.

This site provides access to the Real Estate and Tangible Personal Property records along with maps and Geographic Information System (GIS) data.

Marsha M. Faux, CFA, ASA
Property Appraiser
255 N. Wilson Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830

Property Tax Amendment FAQ



Additional Homestead Exemption (example)

What is the additional homestead exemption?
The Additional Homestead Exemption (AHE) increases the homestead exemption by exempting the assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000. This exemption does not apply to school district taxes. This means, that you will receive NO BENEFIT from the AHE if your assessed value is less than $50,000. You will, however continue to receive your existing homestead exemption.


When does the additional homestead exemption take affect?
The homestead exemption is retroactive to January 1, 2008


Do I need to apply for this additional exemption?
No, if you have an existing homestead exemption, the additional exemption will be applied automatically. This is also true if you are filing a new homestead exemption application for 2008. 2008 Applicants may also be eligible for portability (see portability information below).


How much will I save?
We have added a calculator to our website to estimate your savings.  Use the following steps to access the calcultor.
  1. Click on the Property Search tab at the top of this page.
  2. Type in the owner name of the property and click Search Records button.
  3. Click on the parcel id of the property. This will open the parcel detail page.
  4. Finally, click on the calculator icon in the upper right corner of the page.


Portability (example)


What is Portability?
Portability provides for the transfer of accumulated Save-Our-Homes benefit (up to $500,000) to a new homestead within one year and not more than two years of relinquishing the previous homestead. If filing for a new homestead exemption for 2008, the previous homestead must have been relinquished in 2007.
  • Transferred benefit may not exceed $500,000
  • Transferred benefit % depends on just value of new home purchased
  • Applies to all tax levies
  • Portability is retroactive to January 1, 2008


Do I need to apply for portability?
Yes, you should apply for portability at the same time you file for your new homestead exemption. Click here to open application.


What if I’ve already applied for homestead exemption for 2008?
If you applied for 2008 homestead exemption prior to February 1, 2008, our office will mail a Transfer of Homestead Assessment Difference application to you.


How much of my Save our Homes benefit can I transfer?
Use the calculator mentioned in "How much will I save" question above.


Exemption for Tangible Personal Property $25,000


What is the Tangible Personal Property Exemption?
Authorizes an exemption from property taxes of $25,000 of assessed value of tangible personal property. This provision applies to all taxes.  Tangible personal property taxes apply only to certain taxpayers in Florida – typically businesses and certain owners of mobile homes.  The tax does not apply to homesteaded property.


Do I need to apply for the Tangible Personal Property Exemption?
Yes, Bill 4D requires all tangible personal property taxpayers to file a return by April 1, 2008 in order to receive the new $25,000 exemption for the 2008 tax year. The filing of Form DR-405 will be considered an application for the $25,000 exemption. No separate application will be required. First time filers may wish to use the DR-405EZ form.


When does the Tangible Personal Property exemption take affect?
The exemption is retroactive to January 1, 2008


I have multiple sites, do I need to file multiple forms?
One Form DR-405 return is required for each location where an owner of tangible personal property transacts business within the county. A single separate Form DR-405 return will be required for all freestanding property at sites other than where the owner of tangible personal property transacts business. A $25,000 exemption would apply to each return.


What are the definitions for sites and freestanding property?
The “site where the owner of tangible personal property transacts business” includes facilities where the business ships or receives goods, employees of the business are located, goods or equipment of the business are stored, goods or services of the business are produced, manufactured or developed, or similar facilities located in offices, stores, warehouses, plants or other locations of the business. Not considered a “site where the owner of tangible personal property transacts business” are sites where freestanding property, placed at multiple sites in a county, is located. Such freestanding property includes vending and amusement machines, LP/propane tanks, utility and cable company property, billboards, leased equipment, and similar property not customarily located in the offices, stores, or plants of the owner.


How does the Tangible Personal Property exemption affect Mobile Homes?
The exemption applies to mobile home attachments and appurtenances assessed as tangible personal property. The exemption does not apply to mobile homes assessed as tangible personal property.


Cap Assessment Increases on Non-Homesteaded Properties to 10% Annually
What is Non-homestead Cap Assessment?
The property tax amendment limits the assessment increases for specified non-homestead real property to 10% each year. The cap does not apply to school district levies.


When is Non-homestead Cap Assessment effective?
Cap will be effective for 2009 tax roll. The limitation is repealed effective January 1, 2019, unless renewed in the 2018 election by voters.


How do I apply?
Applications will be available in the fall of 2008. Please note that you MUST apply to receive this cap.


Buyers Beware: Property Taxes May Change When a Home Sells

“Buyer should not rely on the seller's current property taxes as the amount of property taxes that the buyer may be obligated to pay in the year subsequent to purchase.”

A new law under Section 689.261, Florida Statutes, now requires a disclosure, before signing a contract, that a sale triggers a reassessment of a property and subsequent increase in property taxes. To help you better estimate future property taxes, the Property Appraiser encourages you to use our Tax Estimator

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