For the first time since 2006, Franklin County’s tax base will show an increase, according to Property Appraiser Rhonda Skipper’s initial “good faith estimate” filed with the State of Florida. The increase will be approximately 3/10th of 1% or 5.5 million dollars. The total tax base is now about the same as it was in 2003 before the real estate boom and bust.
Proposed Tax Notices Mailed Last Week – Time Sensitive Information!
August 22, 2013 By
If you are a St. George Island or Franklin County property owner, you should have received your “Notice of Proposed Property Taxes” last week. This is an important document and should be reviewed carefully. You should check the Market Value of your property which is listed at the bottom of the page (Market Value, Assessed Value, Exemptions, Taxable Value). If you believe your Market Value is incorrect, or if you have questions, you should contact the Franklin County Property Appraiser 850-653-9236 as soon as possible. If the property appraiser’s office is unable to resolve the issue, you may file a petition for adjustment with the Value Adjustment Board. Deadline for filing petitions is September 15.
Remember that the Market Value for 2013 is based on qualified sales that closed in 2012 only. Foreclosures are not qualified sales under Florida law.
The proposed tax rate for 2013 is 12.18150 mills (.0121815 x taxable value = taxes due). This is an increase from the 2012 rate of 11.39370 and is based on Franklin County’s proposed budget. If you would like to comment on the proposed tax rate and the county budget, there are two public hearings scheduled. September 5 at 5:15 pm in the County Courthouse Annex and September 3 at 6:00 pm in Eastpoint at the Willie Speed Board Room.
Property Tax Notices To Be Mailed This Month
August 1, 2013 By
Property tax notices are scheduled to be mailed to Franklin County and all Florida property owners during the month of August. These 2013 TRIM (Truth in Millage) notices will be sent by the County Property Appraisers to notify owners of proposed tax increases. By Florida Law, all property must be appraised at Market Value annually.
Market Value appraisals are based upon the value as of January 1 using comparable sales from the previous year. So, 2012 qualified comparable sales will be used to determine the current taxable values for 2013. Foreclosure sales are not considered qualified sales and may not be used. If you believe your property’s appraised value is wrong, then contact the County Property Appraiser for an informal conference regarding the correctness of the appraisal. You should be prepared to present facts supportive of your claim. The Property Appraiser will present the facts considered to be supportive of the correctness of the appraisal. If you are not satisfied with this conference, you may file a petition with the Value Adjustment Board, but such petition must be filed within 25 days of the date the TRIM notice was mailed. The exact dates will be shown on your TRIM notice. Franklin County Property Appraiser: 850-653-9236.
Franklin County Property Appraiser Rhonda Skipper and Staff
