This is just a brief description of Florida and Charlotte County taxes.  For more information about Florida taxes go to  http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/taxes/      For more information about Charlotte County taxes go to http://www.cctaxcol.com/

I. Real Estate Taxes

Ad Valorem Real Estate Taxes are based on the value of real property, and are paid in arrears. The tax year runs from January 1st to December 31st. The office of the Property Appraiser establishes the value of the property and the Board of County Commissioners, School Board, City Commissioners and other levying bodies set the millage rates. One mill equals $1.00 per $1,000.00 of property value.

Using these values and allowing for exemptions, the tax roll is completed by the Property Appraiser and approved by the Department of Revenue. The tax roll is then certified by the Property Appraiser to the Tax Collector who mails the tax notice/receipt to the owner's last address of record as it appears on the tax roll. (Note: The owner of record is the owner as of January 1st of the tax year.) It is the responsibility of each taxpayer to see that the taxes are paid and that a tax bill is received. F. S. 197.122 (1995) In cases where the property owner pays their Real Estate Taxes through an escrow account, the mortgage company should request and be sent the tax bill, and the owner will receive an Informational Notice.

II. Discount Periods

Tax statements are mailed on or about November 1st of each year, with the following discounts in effect for early payment: A 4% discount is allowed for the first 30 days after the original mailing date. Thereafter, a 3% discount is allowed in December, a 2% discount in January, a 1% discount in February, and there is no discount allowed in March. Taxes become delinquent April 1st, at which time 3% interest plus advertising costs are added to the gross amount of the tax. (See section on Delinquent Property Taxes).

Millage ≠ Taxes

2008 millage rates by district   (used for your 2009 tax bill)

Millage and Taxes are related, but they are not the same

Millage can also be known as a mill and it is 1/10 of a cent.

The Millage Rate is the amount per $1,000 that is used to calculate taxes on property.

Taxes are charges, imposed by an authority on persons or property for public purposes.

Therefore, millage and taxes are related, but they are not the same. It is the Millage Rate, expressed through a mill, that is multiplied against a taxable value (the value of your home, for instance) that becomes a tax. The Millage Rate determines the amount to charge against something of value.

It is the job of the Property Appraiser (one of the elected constitutional officers) to appraise the value of the property and then certify the value of the property in the County.

After exemptions are applied (such as the Homestead Exemption) that appraised value becomes the taxable value.

The taxing authorities then determine how many mills they need to charge the combined taxable value in order to receive the amount of revenue they think they need for the next fiscal year. (Taxable value x mills)/1000 = $$ in revenue

Taxing authorities are units of government that determine the rate to collect monies (tax) and levy taxes for the public good.

These types of taxes are known as Ad Valorem taxes: taxes based on the value of property.

DOC Stamps

Documentary stamp tax is levied on documents as provided under Chapter 201, Florida Statutes.
Documents subject to the tax include:

• Deeds
• Bonds
• Notes and written obligations to pay money
• Mortgages, liens, and other evidences of indebtedness

Deeds

The tax rate for documents that transfer an interest in real property is $.70 per $100 (or portion thereof) of the total consideration paid, or to be paid, for the transfer. An exception is Miami-Dade County, where the rate is $.60 per $100 (or portion thereof) when the property is a single-family residence. If the Miami-Dade property is anything other than a single-family residence, the tax rate is $.60 plus $.45 surtax per $100 (or portion thereof).

Bonds

Documentary stamp tax is due upon the original issuance of bonds in Florida. The tax rate is $.35 per $100 (or portion thereof) based upon the face value of the bond.

Notes and Other Written Obligations to Pay Money

The tax rate on a written obligation to pay money is $.35 for each $100 (or portion thereof) of the obligation evidenced by the document. Tax is due on a document that contains a promise to pay a specific amount of money and is signed, executed, or delivered in Florida. The maximum amount of documentary stamp tax due on unsecured notes or other written obligations to pay money is $2,450.

• Demand notes
• Term notes
• Retail installment sale contracts
• Certain renewal notes
• Title loans

Mortgages, Liens, and Other Evidences of Indebtedness

Documentary stamp tax is due on a mortgage, lien, or other evidence of indebtedness filed or recorded in Florida. The tax rate is $.35 per $100 (or portion thereof) and is based on the amount of the indebtedness or obligation secured, even if the indebtedness is contingent. When a mortgage, lien, or other evidence of indebtedness is given to secure a previously unsecured indebtedness or obligation upon which the maximum tax of $2,450 was paid, tax is due on the full amount of the indebtedness or obligation secured, minus the $2,450 already paid.

Picturesque Punta Gorda*

   Punta Gorda, the "Broad Point" of Spanish Conquistadors, is Charlotte County's only incorporated city. Celebrating its 104th anniversary this year, (reprinted from an article written in 1990) the charming fishing village of about 12,000 people traces its roots to its 1513 discovery by Ponce de Leon.  Calusa Indian strongholds thwarted early Spanish attempts at colonization, however, and the area was slowly settled as the English migrated up Charlotte Harbor and onto the banks of the Peace River.  In 1885, Isaac Trabue bought the land from a group of British investors and founded the town of Trabue.  The name was never well accepted, and reverted back to the Spanish version within two years.

   Punta Gorda's colorful past is celebrated annually with the reenactment of Ponce de Leon's 1513 landing on the banks of Charlotte Harbor.

   Charlotte Harbor, the Peace River and about 50 miles of navigable waterways make Punta Gorda a waterfront paradise, and the city endeavors to retain the pristine character that attracts people to Southwest Florida.  Environmental restrictions help keep the waterways unspoiled.  Historic preservation is a priority: Plaques on numerous historic landmarks and buildings bear testament to the work of the Charlotte Harbor Area Historical Society.

   As neighboring Port Charlotte continues its development and retail boom, Punta Gorda has secured State Historic District status to ensure that the old-time charm of the city is left intact.  The West Marion Avenue Streetscape program is preserving the historic atmosphere with brick lanes, flower boxes, benches and street lamps bordering rows of shops, restaurants  and motels, all within walking distance of Charlotte Harbor.  Spanish style clapboard tin-roofed homes with airy verandas, gingerbread woodwork and raised floors bear witness to the fishing village architecture of old Punta Gorda.

* Excerpts from Charlotte County Newsletter