- A tax on land, building, and land improvements
- Considered ad-valorem, meaning “according to worth”
- Based on the value of the property, as determined by the Pinellas County Property Appraiser
- Each property is assigned a unique parcel number
- Revenues collected are distributed to the local taxing authorities (cities, county, school board, etc.)
- Tangible personal property taxes
- A tax on furniture and equipment located in businesses and rental properties
- Considered ad-valorem, meaning “according to worth”
- Based on the value of the furniture and equipment located in businesses and rental properties, as determined by the Pinellas County Property Appraiser
- Non-ad valorem assessments
- Set amounts established by the taxing authorities typically collected for storm water utility, street lighting, fire and rescue, solid waste collections, and similar functions.
- Not based on the value of one’s property
What is the difference between the property appraiser and the tax collector?
- The property appraiser…
- Assesses and determines property values
- Prepares and sends the list of taxable property to the tax collector
- Maintains current ownership and mailing address info
- The tax collector…
- Collects and distributes property taxes to taxing authorities
- Annually mails tax notices to property owners
- Dependent upon the property appraiser address information on file – the tax collector’s office does not maintain or update addresses
Ways to Pay Property Taxes
- Online – Pay now!
- FREE eCheck* – Send payment directly from your bank account, free of charge.
- eChecks are not accepted for delinquent property taxes.
- Credit or Debit Card – A convenience fee of 2.95% of the transaction total with a minimum of $2.50 is charged by our third-party payment processor, Grant Street Group.
- FREE eCheck* – Send payment directly from your bank account, free of charge.
- Your tax bill is considered paid as soon as you submit payment and will reflect as paid on the Pinellas County Tax Collector’s online system.
- However, it may take up to five (5) business days for your bank to process and reflect online payments.
- By Mail with a Check
- Please make your check payable to:
Charles W. Thomas, Pinellas County Tax Collector
P.O. Box 31149
Tampa, FL 33631-3149- Property taxes must be paid in full, at one time (unless on the partial payment plan)
- Multiple checks must be sent in the same envelope
- Check writing tips:
- Write your account # and phone # on the memo line of your check, in case we need to contact you.
- Make sure the hand-written amount line is correct and matches the numeric amount.
- Don’t forget to sign your check!
** The Pinellas County Tax Collector’s Office is partnered with Envision Payment Solutions for the recovery of returned checks. Returned checks may be electronically represented to your account along with a returned check fee. Envision can be contacted at 1-877-290-5460.
- Drop Box
- Drop your payment securely in one of our drop boxes located outside select tax collector offices
- Wire Transfer
- Please follow these instructions if you wish to make a payment by wire transfer.
- Tax Collector Office
- Property tax payments do not require an appointment
- You may pay your taxes at any of our offices
Discount Periods & Deadlines
- Annual property tax notices are mailed by November 1st each year.
- Florida law allows certain discounts for early payment.
- The discount period runs from November through February:
- Deadline to pay before becoming delinquent is March 31st of the following year.
- The March amount reflects no discount.
- What happens if the discount period ends on a weekend or legal holiday?
- The discount period is extended to the next business day IF payment is made online or in person on the next business day.
- Payments sent via mail must have discount month postmark.
2023 Discount Deadlines by Payment Type
Month Internet Counter or Drop Box Mail November Amount Until 11:55 pm E.S.T. November 30th Until close of business November 30th Must have November Postmark December Amount Until 11:55 pm E.S.T. January 3rd Until close of business December 29th Must have December Postmark January Amount Until 11:55 pm E.S.T. January 31st Until close of business January 31st Must have January Postmark February Amount Until 11:55 pm E.S.T. February 29th Until close of business February 29th Must have February Postmark March Amount Until 11:55 pm E.S.T. March 31st Until close of business March 29th Must have March Postmark Alternative Payment Options
Installment Payment Plan
- This allows taxpayers to pay their real estate and tangible property taxes in four installments throughout the year.
- Participants in this plan receive a discount of approximately 3.5% of their total tax bill.
- Property owners with an estimated bill of over $100 are eligible.
- The installment payment plan application period for 2024 property taxes is closed. The installment payment plan application for 2025 property taxes will open on November 1, 2024.
- The application is electronic - you will need to look up your account first, then click the "Apply for the 2024 installment payment plan" link.
- Payment Plan Schedule:
- 1 st Payment – June 30 th
- one-quarter of the total estimated taxes and assessments based on the previous year, discounted at 6%
- one-quarter of the total estimated taxes and assessments based on the previous year, discounted at 4.5%
- one-quarter of the total estimated taxes and assessments plus one-half of any adjusted tax amount, discounted at 3%
- one-quarter of the total estimated taxes and assessments plus one-half of the adjusted tax amount, no discount
- Payment Plan Tips:
- If you miss your June payment, you can pay the first payment by July 31 st , but you will lose your discount.
- If you do not make your first payment by July 31 st , you will be taken off the payment plan. If you wish to participate in the payment plan in the future, you will have to reapply.
Partial Payments
- Florida law allows taxpayers to make partial payments on real estate and tangible property taxes for the current year only.
- Partial payments cannot be made for delinquent taxes.
- No partial payments can be made after March 31 st .
- Taxes become delinquent on April 1 st , at which time interest and other applicable costs are added to the gross tax amount.
- Taxpayers who make partial payments will forfeit all discounts applied to early payments.
- The minimum amount accepted for each partial payment is $100.
- All taxes must be paid by March 31 st to avoid delinquency, at which point interest and additional fees will be added to the remaining balance.
- If the balance is not paid by May 31 st , a tax certificate will be sold.
- Applications for 2024 will open November 1st, 2024.
Deferrals
- Under Florida law, anyone entitled to claim a homestead exemption may be eligible to defer payments of property taxes and non-ad valorem assessments based on household income of the previous year.
- Keep in mind, homestead exemptions are granted by the property appraiser’s office, not the tax collector’s office.
- Please contact our office at 727-464-3409 for more details.
- Under Florida law, anyone entitled to claim a homestead exemption may be eligible to defer payments of property taxes and non-ad valorem assessments based on household income of the previous year.
- If you miss your June payment, you can pay the first payment by July 31 st , but you will lose your discount.
- Payment Plan Tips:
- 1 st Payment – June 30 th
- Payment Plan Schedule: