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Options to Address Proposed Property Taxes

During the month of September property owners have the opportunity to examine their proposed property taxes and provide input into the determination of these taxes.  Property taxes are determined by two variables: the taxable value of the property and the millage rate adopted by the local government to fund its budget.  The Notice of Proposed Property Taxes is designed to separate the impact of these two components, providing the property owner with sufficient information to distinguish between the impact of the change in taxable value of the property and the impact of each taxing authority’s budget and millage decisions.

The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser mailed Notice of Proposed Property Taxes to property owners on August 21.  Property owners are advised to carefully examine their Notice IMMEDIATELY upon receipt to check property value, exemptions, and locate public hearing dates. If a property owner does not receive the Notice of Proposed Taxes contact the Property Appraiser’s Office at (561) 355-3230 as soon as possible. Taxpayers can also access Notice of Proposed Taxes online by conducting a Record Search at: http://www.pbcgov.org/papa.

Property owners can address the taxable value of the property by contacting the Property Appraiser’s Office or by filing a petition with the Value Adjustment Board (VAB) at https://myvab.mypalmbeachclerk.com/2009/.    The VAB serves as the decision-making authority when there is disagreement between the property owner and Property Appraiser concerning property exemptions/classifications/valuations/portability. The VAB is comprised of two County Commissioners, one School Board Member and two Citizen Members. Serving as Board members for the 2009 tax cycle are Commissioners Steven Abrams and Karen Marcus, School Board Member William Graham, Business Owner Stormet Norem, appointed by the School Board and Home Owner Scott Johnston, appointed by the County Commission.

The Notice of Proposed Taxes also shows the date, time and place that each local government will hold its preliminary public hearing on the proposed taxes and budget (final public hearing for schools).  The hearings must begin after 5 p.m. if on a day other than Saturday and cannot be held on a Sunday.  A second hearing is held two to three weeks later to adopt the final budget and millage rate.  The date and locations of the second hearing are advertised in a local newspaper. These public hearings offer property owners the opportunity to participate in the determination of tax rates and budget for the upcoming year.

Take the time to closely examine your Notice of Proposed Taxes and use your voice in the budget process!

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