Orange County Florida has many things going for it: Walt Disney World, beautiful beaches, and delicious restaurants. But whether you are buying real estate for the first time or have been living here for years, Orange County Florida property taxes can be tricky. Here is your authoritative guide on Orange County property tax rates and how you can pay your taxes.
Orange County Florida Property Tax
The Board of County Commissioners and City Commissioners determine the Orange County Florida property tax rate, not the Orange County Tax Collector. The Orange County Property Appraiser determines the value of property and approves Orange County Florida tax exemptions. The Orlando Tax Collector mails tax bills and collects the taxes.
County residents paid $2.8 billion in property taxes in 2022. Property taxes in Florida – in Orange County specifically – fund public schools, infrastructure projects, and medical services. County voters sometimes vote for occasional property tax increases to fund specific projects. In August 2022, Orange County voters opted to renew a one-mill property tax of $20 per month to fund arts and athletic programs and teacher salaries.
Orange County Property Appraiser
The Orange County Property Appraiser (OCPA) locates and values all pieces of property in Orange County. The office also tracks ownership changes and provides guides to sale prices and construction costs in Orange County. You can apply with the office to receive a tax exemption, and you can obtain maps and building descriptions from them.
Amy Mercado is the current Property Appraiser. OCPA has one office at 200 South Orange Avenue, Suite 1700, Orlando, FL 32801. You can call for Constituent Services at (407) 836-5044 and to receive information about exemptions at (407) 836-5044.
The office is open by appointment only. You can make an appointment online on weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The OCPA office is not open on major holidays. Most meetings take 15 to 30 minutes.
Orange County Tax Collector
The Orange County Tax Collector is the officer in charge of property taxes in Orange County, FL. In Orange County, Florida, the Tax Collector is also responsible for issuing driver’s licenses, state IDs, and hunting and fishing licenses. Scott Randolph is the current Tax Collector.Â
The Tax Collector has seven offices, each with its own responsibilities. The Tax Department is located at 200 South Orange Avenue, 16th Floor, Orlando, FL 32801.
The Tax Department office is open by appointment only between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m on weekdays. You can call (407) 434-0312 Option 2 to get information on property taxes, and you can make an appointment online.
Orange County Florida Property Tax Rate
The Orange County government has released its proposed budget for the fiscal year 2023. The budget gives information about the tax rate for the upcoming year.
The formula for taxes is (Taxable value / 1000) * millage rate = property taxes. The assessed value of your home is your home’s market value minus any limitations the Property Appraiser notices. The taxable value of your home is the assessed value of your home minus any exemptions.
The millage is the rate charged for every $1,000 of taxable value in your real estate. For example, for a home valued at $100,000, each mill would equal $100 in taxes.
The countywide millage rate is 4.4347. However, Orange County has many special taxing districts, each with its own millage rates. The 2022 final millage rates are available online.
The median home price in Orange County is $422,800; 422,800 divided by 1000 equals 422.8. 422.8 times 4.4347 equals 1,875.96, meaning the average property tax rate in Orange County is $1,875.96. This is less than the state average of $1,914 and less than the national average of $2,471.
OCPA has a tax estimator tool you can use to estimate your taxes. Keep in mind that millage rates can be adjusted, so you may need to pay more or less in taxes year to year.
Orange County Appraiser Process
An appraiser visits each property in Orange County at least once every five years. They will inspect all parts of the property and examine the sales history of similar properties in Orange County. They can give an estimate for how much your home you would sell for, letting you determine how much your taxes are.
If no homes similar to yours have been sold in Orange County, they can make a cost estimate. They will determine how much it would cost to build an identical structure on your piece of land. They can also make an income estimate, determining how much revenue your property would produce if you rented it out as an apartment or store.
Orlando Property Tax Rates
The millage rate for Orlando homes is 6.65. According to Zillow, the average value of an Orlando home is $402,064. Without exemptions, this means that the average Orlando property tax bill is $2,673.73.
This is more than the county, state, and national averages, though many homeowners qualify for exemptions that reduce their bills. Orlando is one of the largest cities in Florida, so you can find homes with exemptions easily.
The city of Orlando also offers a property tax calculator you can use for taxes on your Orlando real estate. If you live in another Orange County city like Ocoee, you can use the Orange County Tax Collector’s website to pay and calculate your taxes.
Orange County Property Tax Payment Process
Taxes are due on March 31. However, you can start paying your taxes on November 1. The county offers early payment discounts for people who pay their taxes before March, with November taxpayers getting a discount of 4%.
Your property tax bill will be mailed to you before November 1. The Orange County Tax Collector prefers that you pay with Paperless, an electronic portal that can send you bills and reminders of when to pay your taxes.
If you prefer to pay by mail, return your tax notice and a check with the full amount of your taxes to the Property Department, P.O Box 545100, Orlando, FL 32854. The payment should be made payable to Scott Randolph. You can also pay in person at the Tax Department’s office at 200 South Orange Avenue.
Unpaid property taxes become delinquent on April 1. You must pay your taxes plus a 3% minimum mandatory charge and additional fees.
If you do not pay your taxes within three weeks, the Tax Collector will hold an auction. The winner of the auction will receive a certification ensuring that the tax lien will be paid off. If you do not pay off your taxes within two years, the certificate holder can take control of your property and sell it publicly.
Installment Payment Plan
You can start an Installment Payment Plan to make quarterly tax payments. To qualify, you must be current on your property taxes, and you must apply for a plan online or at an Orange County Tax Collector office. Your application is due on May 1. As with a regular payment plan, you can pay online, in person, or through mail.
Your first two payments are due on June 30 and September 30, and they are based on your previous year’s taxes. Your first installment is one-quarter of your taxes discounted at 6%. Your second installment is one-quarter discounted at 4.5%.
After you have made your first two installments, the Tax Collector will estimate your remaining liability for the year based on your property value. You will pay one-quarter of your estimate plus an adjustment of your current tax liability. If your home has dropped in value, you may pay less in taxes or receive a tax credit.
Your third installment is due on December 31st, and you receive a discount of 3%. Your fourth installment is due on March 31st, and you receive no discount for this payment.
Orange County Florida Property Tax Search and Tax Records
The Tax Collector’s office has a property tax search and tax roll that you can use to find information about specific properties in Orange County. You can search based on the owner’s name, location address, or parcel or tangible ID.
Searching will let you see the assessed value of the property, the gross tax amount, and the owner. The assessed value is an estimate, and tax rates may change depending on a few factors.
The OCPA has its own Orange County Florida property search tool. You can find information about the market value, assessed value, and land value of any property in Orange County. You can see if a property has increased or decreased in value over the years, and you can obtain the property’s sale history.
You should use the Orange County Tax Collector’s tool when you want basic tax information for yourself. If you’re preparing to sell or buy a property, you should prioritize the OCPA’s tool.
Orange County Florida Property Tax Exemptions
There are several tax exemptions you can apply for in Orange County. There is no limit on how many exemptions you can receive, as long as you qualify for each one.
You can apply for all exemptions through the OCPA website. You have until March 1 to apply for new exemptions.
Homestead Exemption
A Orange County Florida Homestead Exemption applies to people who own and occupy property in Orange County. Your property must be your permanent residence, though you can own residences in other counties or states.
To apply, you must submit a copy of your Florida Driver’s License or Florida Identification Card. You need to give your Social Security number, though you do not need to provide your card. You must have at least one of the following:
- Florida Vehicle Registration
- Florida Voter Registration Card
- Recorded Orange County Declaration of Domicile
The OCPA sends an exemption letter to new homeowners. The letter provides instructions on how you can apply for your exemption.
If you qualify, you can reduce the assessed value of your home by up to $50,000. This can save you $750 a year.
Widow/Widower Exemption
A widow or widower who is a permanent Florida resident can apply for an exemption that reduces the assessed value of their property by $500. You must attach a death certificate to your application.
Disability Exemption
Permanent Florida residents with disabilities who own property in Orange County qualify for disability exemptions. You can reduce the assessed value of their property by $500. You must have a statement of disability from a licensed doctor in Florida.
Military Exemptions
If you are an active service member or a veteran with a service-connected disability of at least 10%, you can qualify for a $5,000 exemption. You must have a letter from the federal government or Department of Veterans Affairs that describes the percentage and effective date of your disability. If you are retired, it must indicate if you received an honorable discharge.
If you are the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran with a service-connected disability of at least 10%, you can receive a $5,000 exemption. You must have a letter from the federal government describing your spouse’s disability and their death certificate.
Veterans with service-connected total and permanent disabilities and surviving spouses of deceased veterans can qualify for higher exemptions. You must own and occupy your home, and you must already have a homestead exemption for your property. You must have a letter from the federal government describing your or your spouse’s disability.
Orlando Tax Exemptions
The City of Orlando offers a 10-year tax exemption for property owners who renovate historic landmarks or pieces of property in historic districts. The Property Appraiser will determine the exact exemption after renovations are complete.
To qualify, you must examine the city’s lists of historic districts and historic landmarks. Call the Historic Preservation Office at (407) 246-3416 so you can schedule a meeting and determine your eligibility. You can then fill out your application and submit the form to [email protected].
Orange County Florida Property Tax Appeals
If you disagree with the OCPA’s appraisal, you can schedule an appointment with the Orange County Property Appraiser. You can explain your reasons why you disagree with them and show paperwork that illustrates your real property value.
If they refuse to adjust their appraisal, you can file a petition with the Value Adjustment Board. A special master will examine your evidence and testimony and investigate how the appraiser came up with their estimate. The Board will let you send you a letter with its decision.
If you disagree with the Board, you can file a civil lawsuit in the Circuit Court. You can also file a lawsuit if you do not want to petition the Value Adjustment Board. There is no way to appeal to the Tax Collector’s office to reduce your property taxes. If you want a reduction, you have to reduce the value of your property with the Property Appraiser.
Orange County Property Tax FAQ
What Is the Property Tax Rate in Orange County Florida?
The countywide millage rate is 4.4437. This means that you pay $4.4437 for every $1,000 that your property is worth. The county has taxing districts with other rates, but you can use the countywide rate as a baseline to estimate your taxes for the year.
How Much is Property Tax in Orlando Florida?
The millage rate in Orlando is 6.65. You pay $6.65 for every $1,000 that your property is worth.
How Do Property Taxes Work in Orange County?
To get an accurate estimate of your property taxes, you need to estimate the value of your home. You can schedule an appointment with the Orange County Property Appraiser to get this estimate. You can then use the OCPA calculator to determine how much you need to pay. Your taxes go toward public works projects and services like schools.
Property taxes in Orange County are cheap, easy to calculate, and easy to pay. The low property taxes are one reason why more people than ever are moving to Orange County, Florida. If you’re interested in making Orange County your home, give 2 College Brothers a call at (813) 922-1529.
