2012 Property Tax Season Underway In PBC

Palm Beach County Tax Collector Anne Gannon has announced that the 2012 Property Tax Season started Nov. 1.

“We mailed 705,964 property tax bills, representing total tax revenue of $2.97 billion. This is down $38 million in ad valorem taxes from last year,” Gannon said. “The ad valorem tax, calculated by the property appraiser, represents $2.64 billion in property values and the non-ad valorem tax makes up the balance, or $3.26 million.”

Some financially struggling families may qualify for some support. The State of Florida has a tax deferral option (Florida Statute Chapter 197.2421 and 197.2423) for those with yearly incomes of $10,000 or less who are 65 years or older. The program only postpones the tax payment. It provides some short term relief. It does not remove the obligation.

Florida Statutes, Chapter 197.162, provides discounts for early payments as follows: 4 percent in November, 3 percent in December, 2 percent in January, 1 percent in February, and March payments receive no discount. All payments are due by close of business April 1. Any payment made after April 1 is considered delinquent.

Gannon suggests paying property taxes online at www.taxcollectorpbc.com to avoid waiting at busy service centers. The agency’s web site has a “Property Tax Help” feature for additional information on payments, deadlines and discounts.

Taxpayers may pay by mail. They must include the Property Control Number(s) on the payment and return with the stub.

Taxpayers are asked to send without staples or clips because the agency’s high speed mail processing will reject them. Rejected returns must be processed by hand and take longer.

Taxpayers who prefer visiting a service center are welcome to use drop boxes for payments. There is a drop box in the lobby at each Palm Beach County Tax Collector Service Center.