Page 17 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - August '24

Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens, Page 17
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser
Dear Taxpayer:
Welcome August!
My office is preparing
the 2024 Truth in Millage or
TRIM notices. These notices
of proposed property taxes
will be mailed to every
property owner in Palm
Beach County on Aug. 22.
TRIM is:
• Your notification of
property value
This notice shows the change in market, assessed and
taxable values of your property.
• An explanation of any exemptions
Any exemptions or assessment reductions are spelled
out on the front of your notice.
• Your chance to have a say in your tax rates
The notice shows proposed millages, or tax rates, for
each taxing authority, as well information about each I hope you find this information beneficial and wish
authority’s budget hearing, so that you are empowered to you a wonderful month.
participate in the process of setting your tax rates. Respectfully,
We are always available to help you make sense of Dorothy Jacks, CFA, FIAAO, AAS,
this notice and property appraisals, exemptions, and Palm Beach County Property Appraiser
assessment caps. An interactive TRIM guide will be live
at pbcpao.gov/trim this month, but please always feel free 2024 TRIM – Your Notice Of
to contact us.
As you review your notice, I invite you to contact my Proposed Property Taxes
office at (561) 355-2866 if you feel that the market value
of your property is inaccurate or missing an exemption. The front of your TRIM notice shows the market,
Additionally, you have the right to file a petition through assessed and taxable values of your property, plus
the Value Adjustment Board. information about qualified exemptions and assessment
Your tax bill will be mailed by the Palm Beach County caps. Florida law requires our office to value property
Tax Collector in November. based on the status of the real estate market and the
In this month’s newsletter, a brief overview of the personal property market as of Jan. 1. Our office welcomes
TRIM notice and an important reminder for those property any questions regarding your notice, property value and
owners who are permanent Florida residents but have not exemption amounts at (561) 355-2866 or MyExemption@
yet filed for a homestead exemption. pbcpao.gov.
The other side of your notice highlights the proposed
millage, or tax rate, by taxing authority. These tax
rates are set by your county, city, or other agency with
taxing authority. While state law requires the Property
Appraiser’s Office to value property based on the status of
the market, your tax rate is set by taxing authorities who
answer to you, the voter. Every resident has the right to
speak to the elected officials who levy taxes at the public
meetings listed in your notice. If you have questions about
your tax rates, contact the specific taxing authority listed
in the TRIM.
If you have questions about tax collection, contact the
Palm Beach County Tax Collector’s Office.
Filing A Petition
If you feel that the market value of your property listed
in your TRIM notice is inaccurate or does not reflect fair
market value as of Jan. 1, 2024, or you are entitled to an
exemption or classification that is not reflected on your
notice, contact the Property Appraiser’s Office for an
informal review at (561) 355-2866.
If we are unable to resolve the matter, you have the right
to file a petition for adjustment with the Value Adjustment
Board (VAB) through the Clerk of the Circuit Court and
Comptroller. They can be reached at (561) 355-6289.
Petitions must be filed with the VAB on or before
Monday, Sept. 16, 2024.
Filing For A Homestead
Exemption
*If you already have a homestead exemption on your
property and you have not purchased a new home in the
past year, you do not need to reapply.
If you are a permanent Florida resident, you may be
eligible for a homestead exemption, which can save you
generally $750 to $1,000 in property taxes each year.
A $25,000 exemption is applied to the first $50,000 of
your property’s assessed value if your property is your
permanent residence and you owned the property as of Jan.
1. This exemption applies to all taxes, including school
district taxes. An additional exemption of up to $25,000
will be applied if your property’s assessed value is between
$50,000 and $75,000. This exemption is not applied to
school district taxes.
In addition, a homestead exemption limits any increase
to your assessed value to a maximum of 3 percent each
year or the amount of change in the Consumer Price Index,
whichever is lower. For 2024, the maximum increase will
be 3 percent.
The deadline to file for homestead exemption is March
1 of the qualifying year.
Three Ways To Apply
• E-file at pbcpao.gov. The fastest way to file, you can
E-file without the deed the day you close on a home in Palm
Beach County.
• Complete the application online, print it out, and mail
it to: Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office,
Exemption Services, 1st Floor, 301 N. Olive Ave., West
Palm Beach, FL 33401.
• Visit one of our five service centers to file in person.
Visit pbcpao.gov for information on other available
exemptions for seniors, families, veterans and more.