Truth In Millage
(TRIM)
The TRIM Notice tells you the taxable value of your property and provides
information on proposed millage rates and taxes as estimated by each Hendry
County taxing authority which includes the Board of County Commissioners,
School Board, City, etc.
The TRIM Notice also tells you when and where these authorities will hold public
meetings to discuss tentative budgets and set your final tax millage rates.
The Property Appraiser sends a Truth in Millage (TRIM) Notice to all property
owners in August of each year, as required by law. You will recognize it by the
“DO NOT PAY – THIS IS NOT A BILL” statement on the envelope and the
document.
TAXING AUTHORITY
1 Taxing authorities that set the millage rates based on budgetary needs. (millage rates = tax rates)
2
EXEMPTIONS
Your 2008 Exemption Breakdown as applied to each taxing authority.
LAST YEAR TAXABLE VALUE 2007
3 Your 2007 taxable value minus your exemptions granted for the 2007 tax roll.
THIS YEAR TAXABLE VALUE 2008
4 Your 2008 taxable value minus your exemptions granted for the 2008 tax roll.
YOUR PROPERTY TAXES LAST YEAR
5 Your taxes last year listed by each individual taxing authority.
YOUR TAXES THIS YEAR IF PROPOSED BUDGET CHANGE IS MADE
6 The taxes you will pay based on the millage rate set by each taxing authority if proposed budget
change is adopted.
A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED TAXES AND BUDGET WILL BE HELD
7 Public hearing schedule by taxing authority, outcome of these meetings will determine the final
millage rate.
YOUR TAXES THIS YEAR IF NO BUDGET CHANGE IS MADE
8 Your taxes based on last years millage rates and this year values, referred to as “ROLL BACK”
9
MARKET VALUE
Just value based on market analysis
10
ASSESSED VALUE
Capped or SOH value before exemptions
11
EXEMPTIONS
Qualified exemptions applied to value except “SENIORS” See COLUMN 2
12
TAXABLE VALUE
Assessed value less any exemptions
13
CONTACT YOUR PROPERTY APPRAISER
Do not hesitate to call your appraiser at 863-675-5270 or come by our office: M-F. 8:30 AM
TO 5:00 PM, we are located at 25 E Hickpochee Ave LaBelle, Florida
14
VAB DEADLINE
Deadline for filing a VAB petition, September 18, 2008
15
PROPOSED AND/OR ADOPTED NON AD VALOREM ASSESSMENTS
Services provided for you based on property use and/or size not based on value.
NOTICE OF PROPOSED PROPERTY TAXES
AND PROPOSED OR ADOPTED NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENTS
EXPLANATION: (s.200.069, FLORIDA STATUTES)
COLUMN 1 – “YOUR PROPERTY TAXES LAST YEAR”
This column shows the taxes that applied last year to your property. These amounts were based on
budgets adopted last year and your property’s previous taxable value.
COLUMN 2 – “YOUR TAXES IF PROPOSED BUDGET CHANGE IS MADE”
This column shows what your taxes will be this year under the BUDGET ACTUALLY PROPOSED by
each local taxing authority. The proposal is NOT final and may be amended at the public hearings shown
on the front side of this notice.
COLUMN 3 – “YOUR TAXES IF NO BUDGET CHANGE IS MADE”
This column shows what your taxes will be this year IF EACH TAXING AUTHORITY DOES NOT
INCREASE ITS PROPERTY TAX LEVY. These amounts are based on last year’s budgets and your
current assessment. The difference between columns 2 and 3 is the tax change proposed by each local
taxing authority and is NOT the result of higher assessments.
ASSESSED VALUE MEANS:
For Homestead property: value as limited by State Constitution;
For agricultural and similarly assessed property: Classified use value;
For all other property: Market Value.
Note: Amounts shown on this form do NOT reflect early payment discounts you may have received or
may be eligible to receive. (Discounts are a maximum of 4 percent of the amounts shown on this form.)
Note: Non-ad valorem assessments are placed on this notice at the request of the respective local
governing boards. Your tax collector will be including them on the November tax notice. For details o
particular non-ad valorem assessments, contact the levying local governing board.
This graph shows you how the Save Our Homes annual three percent cap on
property tax increases affect the market value and assessed value of your home,
along with a couple often asked questions and their answers. This also shows the
“recapture rule” (code 12D-8.0062) as it may affect you this year.
EXAMPLE OF "SAVE OUR HOMES" GRANTED IN 2000
SOH ASSESSED VALUE
V
$250,000
A
$200,000
L
$150,000
U
MARKET VALUE
SAVE OUR HOMES
BENEFIT
(TAX DOLLARS SAVED)
$100,000
E
$50,000
S
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
YEAR
Question & Answer
1. My market value has decreased, why did my assessed value increase? Even if the
Property Appraiser lowered your market value, as long as your market value exceeds your
assessed value, your SOH assessed value will increase by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) but
not more than 3%, whichever is less. This is the FL Adm Rule 12D-8.0062 (5) which is often
referred to as the “recapture rule”.
In 1995 Governor Chiles and his cabinet approved a Department of
Revenue (DOR) ruling directing property appraisers to raise the
Assessed Value (SOH Capped Value) of a qualifying homestead
property by the maximum of 3% OR the percentage change in the
Consumer Price Index (C.P.I.), whichever is less, on all properties
assessed at less than full market value whether or not that property’s
value increased during the calendar year.
For an example this “Recapture Rule” means; Property A’s market value
increases by 10% this year. As a homestead property, the property
appraiser can only increase the value by 3% or Consumer Price Index
(C.P.I.), whichever is less under SOH.
The next year, Property A’s market value did not change. Since its
assessed value under SOH remains under market value, the property
appraiser must increase the assessed value by 3% or CPI, whichever is
less, to bring its value closer to full market value.
You can also visit the Florida Department of Revenue website at
www.myflorida.com/DOR click on “Research Law, Property Tax Law Library,
with Florida Administrative Code 12D-8.0062” for more information on this
ruling.
If you feel that the market value of your property is inaccurate or does not
reflect fair market value, or if you are entitled to an exemption that is not
reflected above, contact your county Property Appraiser at 863-675-5270
- 25 E. Hickpochee Ave., LaBelle, FL 33935 or P O Box 1840 LaBelle, FL
33975.
If the Property Appraiser's office is unable to resolve the matter as to
market value or an exemption, you may file a petition for adjustment with
the Value Adjustment Board on or before September 18th, 2008.
Petition forms are available from the Hendry County Property Appraiser’s
office or click here to download form (Petition forms link).
For more information from an individual taxing authority you may contact
them at the following:
HENDRY COUNTY
SCHOOL BOARD
CITY OF LABELLE
CITY OF CLEWISTON
PORT LABELLE
WATER MANAGEMENT
(863) 675-5220
(863) 674-4100/983-1500
(863)675-2872
(863) 983-1484
(863) 675-0346
(561) 686-8800
IMPORTANT EMAILS
STATE:
Governor Charlie Crist
• Email address: [email protected]
Department of Revenue: Property Tax James McAdams, Director
• Email address: [email protected]
STATE CONTACTS:
Governor Charlie Crist: www.flgov.com/
Department of Revenue: Property Tax James McAdams, Director
www.state.fl.us/dor/
My Florida:
www.myflorida.com/
DOR – Fl Property Appraisers:
www.state.fl.us/dor/property/appraisers.html
DOR – FL Tax Collectors:
www.state.fl.us/dor/property/tax collectors.html
Florida Property Tax Reform:
www.propertytaxreform.state.fl.us