In August, Leon County property owners will receive a Notice of Proposed Property Taxes–commonly called the TRIM (“Truth in Millage”) notice. As part of the Leon County Property Appraiser’s ongoing commitment to transparency, clarity, and service excellence, the TRIM notice is a legally required notification that outlines your preliminary property tax assessment and serves as an advance notice before final tax bills are mailed by the Tax Collector later in the year.
TRIM Highlights
- Property Value Information Front and Center: Your Market, Assessed, and Taxable Values are prominently displayed at the top of the front page for quick reference.
- Color-Coded Layout: Color blocks highlight key sections—making it easy to read and understand the notice at a glance.
- Public Hearing Details on the Back: Information about budget hearings for each taxing authority is included on the back of the TRIM notice.
- Helpful Explanations: The back page includes simplified descriptions of exemptions, assessment reductions, and other important terms.
- QR Code for Quick Access: Scan the included QR code to learn more about your TRIM notice and research available exemptions that may help you save on future taxes.
- Guidance for New Property Owners: New homeowners will find a section explaining why their tax amounts may differ from the prior year.
- Appeal Instructions: Contact information and petition instructions are clearly presented, helping you request assistance if needed.
Have questions? Refer to the Frequently Asked Questions below or call us at (850) 606-6200.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the TRIM notice?
A: TRIM stands for "Truth in Millage." This notice is not a bill–it’s a summary of your property’s proposed values, tax rates, and estimated taxes based on budget proposals from your local taxing authorities.
Q: When will I receive the TRIM notice?
A: TRIM notices will be mailed on August 17 to all property owners in Leon County.
Q: What are “Market Value,” "Assessed Value," and "Taxable Value"?
A:
- Market Value is the estimated value of your property on January 1 based on local real estate market data.
- Assessed Value reflects your property's value after assessment limitations like Save Our Homes or agricultural classifications are applied.
- Taxable Value is the assessed value minus exemptions. It’s the value used to calculate your taxes.
Q: What are "Exemptions" and "Assessment Reductions"?
A: These are savings applied to your property value based on eligibility:
- Exemptions directly reduce your property taxes (like Homestead, Veteran, or Limited Income Senior exemptions).
- Assessment Reductions limit how much your assessed value can increase each year and reflect savings from agricultural classifications (like Save Our Homes or agricultural classification).
Q: What if I have concerns about my market value or the exemptions shown on my TRIM notice?
A: Contact the Property Appraiser’s Office at (850) 606-6200 as soon as possible. To help direct your call efficiently, please use one of the following extension options:
- For residential property values, press 3
- For commercial property values, press 5
- For questions about property tax exemptions, press 1
- For business personal property accounts, press 4
Q: What are “Non-Ad Valorem Assessments”?
A: These are charges for services like solid waste, stormwater, or fire protection. They are listed on your TRIM notice and included on your tax bill, but they are not based on property value.
Q: Where can I learn more about public hearings or proposed tax rate changes?
A: Public hearing information is listed on the back of the TRIM notice. You can also contact the taxing authorities directly for more details.
Q: I bought my home recently—why are my property taxes so much higher than the previous owner’s?
A: Property tax benefits like exemptions and the Save Our Homes assessment cap do not transfer. Upon sale, the assessed value resets to market value, which may result in a higher tax bill. This is explained in the “New Owners” section of the notice.