Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When will I first know the Proposed Amount of My Tax Bill?
A. The Property Appraiser sends a Truth in Millage (TRIM) Notice to all property owners as required by law, usually in August of each year. This notice is very important. You will recognize it by the "DO NOT PAY - THIS IS NOT A BILL" statement on the envelope and document.

The TRIM Notice tells you the taxable value of your property and provides information on proposed millage rates and taxes as estimated by each Brevard County taxing authority which includes the County Commission, School Board, Cities, etc.

The TRIM Notice also gives you information on proposed millage rates and taxes as estimated by your county taxing authorities. It also tells you when and where these authorities will hold public meetings to discuss tentative budgets and set your final tax millage rates.

Q. Who decides the amount of my property taxes each year?
A. The tax rate (millage) is set by the various taxing authorities including the County Commission, Cities, School Board, and Special Districts all of which are authorized by law to levy taxes on real estate and tangible personnel property to fund their operations and services.

As part of their budget process, these taxing authorities set millage rates based upon their determination of what services are needed. They set the rate by dividing their total budget by the taxable value of all property within the taxing district

Q. How is my property tax determined?
A. The November tax bill you receive from the Tax Collector is calculated by multiplying your property's taxable value (appraised value less any exemptions) times the millage (tax) rate set by each taxing district in which your property is located.

Q. What information is required in order to qualify for homestead exemption?
A. The form used for this purpose can be easily reviewed by clicking here. The requirements are listed thereon. You may wish to print a copy of the form to be sure you have all the necessary information in hand when you visit any one of our offices. Also visit our Exemptions page.

Q. Why is the valuation on my home prepared by my insurance company lower than the market value placed on my property by the Property Appraiser's Office?
A. Probably because the appraisals for insurance purposes do not include the land value or foundation cost for the improvement.

Q. What is the difference between market, assessed, and taxable values?
The market value is the most probable selling price, based on the actual sales of similar properties, less the typical costs of sale.

The assessed value may be less than the market value if the property is a residential property having homestead exemption and is therefore protected by the "Save Our Homes" Constitutional assessment limitations.

The taxable value is the assessed value less any applicable exemptions.

Q. I paid $120,000 for my property four years ago and the market value assessed on my property is $140,000. How can this be?
A. The $140,000 reflects changes that have occurred in the real estate market over the last several years. Other sales of similar properties have taken place that indicate the market value of your property has increased. You are probably not aware of this if you have not consulted a real estate agent and have no interest in selling your property. However, the current market conditions must be reflected in the market value assessed for ad valorem tax purposes as required by State Law.

Q. Why did the market value on my property increase so much in one year?
A. It is likely that your property has not been re-assessed in a few years due to the fact that there were insufficient market transactions to verify that an increase was previously warranted. Sometimes, it takes several years for a sufficient number of sales to take place to clearly indicate a significant movement of market values, either up or down. Also, the previous market value allowed for some tolerance before an adjustment would be warranted.

Q. The market value of my property went down (or stayed the same) from the prior year, yet my assessed value increased, why?
A. Prior year(s) increases in your assessed value were limited by Constitutional Amendment 10 (Save Our Homes) and therefore a difference developed between your assessed value and the actual, true market value.

The Florida Department of Revenue proposed an Administrative Rule which requires the assessed value to be increased annually as long as it is lower than the market value. That Rule was adopted by the Governor and Cabinet, sitting as the Administrative Commission, over the objections of Property Appraiser Jim Ford and other property appraisers.

Q. How can my property be assessed at $100,000 when I only paid $75,000 for it three years ago?
A. Market prices paid for similar/comparable homes within your geographic market area have risen over the last three years and such must be reflected for all properties, not just those which have sold.

Q. Why are my taxes increasing when my assessed value on my home has not increased?
A. This occurs when one or more taxing authorities have increased the tax millage rate to raise additional tax revenues, or increased their special non-ad valorem assessment fees on your property.

Q. What is your responsibility to me as a user of information on the web site?
A. The information provided by or through the Brevard County Property Appraiser's Office's (BCPAO) website is provided "As is", "As Available," and all warranties expressed or implied are disclaimed, including but not limited to the disclaimer of any implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The BCPAO's sole and entire maximum liability for any inaccurate information, for any reason, and the user's sole and exclusive remedy for any cause whatsoever, shall be limited to the amount paid by the user for the information received (if any). The BCPAO is not liable for any indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages (including damages for loss of business, loss of profits, litigation, or any other similar damage), whether based on breach of contract, breach of warranty, tort (including negligence, product liability or any recognized legal authority) even if advised of the possibility of such damage. The limitations of damages set forth herein are fundamental elements of the basis of the bargain between the BCPAO and any user using this website for any purpose, as the BCPAO could not provide this website and the information provided by it without these stated limitations. No representations, warranties or guarantees, express or implied, are made as to the accuracy, adequacy, reliability, correctness, completeness, suitability or applicability of the property records and mapping data herein to a particular situation, or for their use or interpretation by the User. The Brevard County Property Appraiser assumes no liability for any damages, losses, costs or expenses, including but not limited to attorney's fees, arising from any User's use or misuse of the property records or mapping data provided herein. Furthermore, all responsibility and liability for any damages caused by viruses contained within the files of this website are disclaimed.