Ask Lori Parrish

“Ask Lori…Parrish on Appraisal”

Broward County Property Appraiser Lori Parrish Answers Your Questions…

“It’s TRIM Time for Broward County Residents!”

Dear Lori:

My family is new to Florida. With the housing market still in decline, we now have many Broward cities looking to raise tax rates and fees in order to find new revenue. When does your office notify residents as to these rates, and when is the best time to discuss our valuations and exemptions?

M.W., Sunrise, FL (via email)

While the Property Appraiser’s Office does not set tax rates or collect taxes, we do mail over 758,000 “Truth-in-Millage” (TRIM) Notices of proposed 2011 property taxes to property owners during the month of August, on behalf of the various taxing authorities. The “TRIM” Notice or proposed property tax notice provides property owners with all their 2011 property tax assessment, exemptions, proposed tax amount and proposed tax rates for each governmental entity. These notices also inform property owners of their rights to both challenge their property assessment and to speak out at the various taxing authority budget hearings.

If you think the market value of your property is wrong – meaning you believe it does not reflect the true market value of your property on January 1, 2011 – please contact our office. If you think the tax rates are too high, you should contact the County Commission, School Board, City Commission and other taxing authorities listed on you TRIM (proposed tax) Notice. The TRIM Notice will include phone numbers for each taxing authority, as well as the schedule of budget public hearings.

If you believe the market value of your property is wrong the first thing you should do is to contact our office. One of our appraisers will be happy to speak with you, listen to your concerns, and discuss the data we used to reach the value. If you disagree with our determination, we will help you file an appeal petition directly with the Value Adjustment Board (VAB) by the September 19, 2011 5:00PM deadline. All valuation petitions must be received by the VAB (115 South Andrews Avenue, Room 119, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301) by this deadline. You may also file a petition online with the VAB http://bcvab.broward.org/axiaweb2011. Contact the VAB directly at vab@broward.org or 954.357.7205.

You may also visit our office located in Room 111 of the Broward County Governmental Center, 115 South Andrews Avenue (just south of Broward Boulevard) in Fort Lauderdale to meet with a residential, commercial, or tangible personal property appraiser to discuss your assessment. If you are a qualified individual who needs a property tax exemption, a Customer Service Representative will assist you with filing for your exemptions. Our office is open weekdays from 7:00AM – 6:00PM. To better accommodate the schedules of working families, our office will be open on Saturday, August 27 and Saturday, September 17 (8:30AM-5:00PM).

Please remember the Property Appraiser does not set tax rates or collect your taxes. For further information on assessments, exemptions and the TRIM (proposed tax) Notice, please visit www.bcpa.net or call 954.357.6830. We are happy to assist you.

Sincerely,

Lori Parrish, CFA

If you have a question for Lori, please email her at lori@bcpa.net or write to her at the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office, 115 South Andrews Avenue, Room 111, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. (8/11)

Robert L. Wolfe, Jr. CFE
Community Outreach Specialist II
954.357.6871 – office
954.357.8474 – fax
954.445.5732 – cell

rwolfe@bcpa.net

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