The unprecedented growth of Florida’s real estate market in recent years has presented challenges for local governments and taxpayers. Skyrocketing housing prices, an explosion of new construction, and increasing tax bills for property owners helped put property tax reform front and center in the 2007 legislative session.
The Property Tax Oversight Program provided support to the Legislature as it considered bills to improve the local taxation system. We also assisted county property appraisers, local governments, tax collectors, and property owners with understanding and complying with their responsibilities.
At the Legislature’s request, the Property Tax Oversight Program studied Florida’s property tax structure as part of a larger study performed by the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research. This research specifically addressed the economic preferences given to property owners through the homestead exemption, the "Save Our Homes" assessment growth limitation, as well as the millages adopted by local governments.
We also met with the Property Tax Reform Committee to explain the responsibilities of the various partners in the property tax process: Revenue, property appraisers, tax collectors, levying authorities, and the local Value Adjustment Boards.
The program then organized and facilitated a panel discussion of property appraisers to share information with legislators about valuation and assessment practices, challenges in administering the current property tax system, and related issues. Finally, the Property Tax Oversight Program has established, in a short period of time, the tools and data necessary to support new property tax reform legislation.
New technology
One of our primary functions is to help property appraisers increase their efficiency and effectiveness through the use of cutting-edge technology. Through training provided by the program, property appraisers use digital map data in a Geographic Information System to more accurately and effectively identify, classify, and assess property. Revenue has also joined forces with other state agencies and water management districts to capture and share aerial photographs of each county.
Property Tax Oversight is moving away from its mainframe computer system and is developing a state-of-the-art Oracle/SAP platform. This new system offers more effective tools such as the ability to conduct business electronically with property appraisers and enhanced data collection and analysis capabilities that can be used to improve the program’s roll approval process. This new technology will also enable the program to provide enhanced customer service through the use of cutting-edge customer relationship management software.
What we do
We oversee a local property tax system that in 2006 had more than 9 million parcels of real property and a just value of $2.4 trillion. Due to various statutory exemptions and exclusions, the taxable value of Florida’s real property in 2006 was $1.79 trillion, resulting in more than $30.4 billion in property taxes levied by local governments and taxing authorities. The program also has oversight responsibility for the $1.9 billion in tangible personal property tax that is locally assessed and collected each year.
The Property Tax Oversight Program reviews and approves the property tax rolls for each of Florida’s 67 counties every year. This oversight process includes a comprehensive statistical analysis of recent sales data, market trends and property appraisals, as well as procedural reviews and audits of property appraiser practices and activities. We also approve the annual budgets of property appraisers and tax collectors and ensure that local governments comply with public disclosure laws.
In addition to our oversight responsibilities, the program provides a wide range of education and assistance services to property appraisers, tax collectors and their staffs. The program’s certification workshops for property appraisers are widely considered to be among the best in the nation.
Our program also directly serves the citizens of Florida by providing a forum for discussing issues of concern and interest. We answer inquiries and assist taxpayers in understanding and navigating the property tax process, including exemptions, appeals and refunds.
Visit our internet site for details about the Property Tax Oversight Program and services.