What is the deadline to petition property taxes in Florida?

Within 25 days of the TRIM notice (typically mid-September). The petition window typically runs August - September. If you miss it, you generally have to wait until the next tax year.

Can my Florida property taxes go up if I petition?

In almost all US jurisdictions, an owner-initiated petition can only lower or maintain your assessment — the board reviews only what you challenge and cannot raise it as a result.

Do I need a lawyer to petition property taxes in Florida?

No, not for a standard residential petition. The process is designed for homeowners; a lawyer is typically only worth it for commercial or very high-value property.

How to Petition Property Taxes in Florida (2026): Deadline, Steps & Forms

If Florida has over-valued your home, you overpay property tax every year until you fix it. Filing a petition is a standard, homeowner-friendly process — here is exactly how it works in Florida, including the deadline, the governing law, and the five steps to file.

The Florida deadline

The petition window in Florida is typically August - September, and the filing deadline is Within 25 days of the TRIM notice (typically mid-September). Miss it and you generally wait a full year, so check your assessment notice the moment it arrives. See the national deadline calendar for how this compares.

How Florida values your home

Florida assesses property at 100% of market value, so the value on your notice is what the county believes your home would sell for. Compare it directly to recent sales. Florida appraises property at just (market) value on January 1, with the Save Our Homes cap limiting annual assessment increases on homesteaded property to 3%. The process is authorized under Fla. Stat. § 194.011 (VAB petitions).

How to petition your property taxes in Florida

Step 1. Review the TRIM (Truth in Millage) notice mailed in August.

Step 2. Contact the county property appraiser for an informal conference first.

Step 3. File a petition with the county Value Adjustment Board (VAB) within 25 days of the TRIM notice.

Step 4. Submit comparable sales and evidence at least 15 days before your VAB hearing.

Step 5. Present your case to the special magistrate at the VAB hearing.

Build your evidence

The strongest case is a tight set of comparable sales — 3 to 5 similar homes near you that sold for less than your assessed value — plus any property-record errors you can document. You can also make an unequal-assessment argument if comparable homes are assessed for less than yours.

Don't forget exemptions

A petition lowers your value, but a homestead exemption cuts your taxable base directly — and the two stack. Confirm you're enrolled with your county before you file.

The shortcut

Checking comps and building the packet is where most homeowners give up. TaxAppealAgent does it for you: check your Florida property for $4.99 (credited), and if you're over-assessed we assemble the comparable-sales evidence and a Florida-specific petition letter for a flat $29. You file it and keep 100% of the savings. See the full Florida appeal guide.