Understanding Your Tax Bill
How Your Property Tax is Determined
On January 1 of each year, the Property Appraiser’s Office assesses the value of property based on the current real estate market. The taxes are calculated later in the year once the various taxing authorities have set the millage rates. A millage rate is the rate of tax per thousand dollars of taxable value.The property tax due on each account is calculated by multiplying the property value less any exemptions by the milage rate.
Each August,Walton County property owners are mailed a Trim Notice by the Property Appraiser's Office. This notice provides land owners with an estimated tax bill. If property owners have any questions related to the Trim Notice, questions should be directed to the Property Appraiser's office upon receipt.
Walton County Property Appraiser, Gary Gregor (850) 892-8123
The Real Estate and Tangible Personal Property tax rolls are prepared by the Property Appraiser's office. These rolls certify the ownership, mailing address, legal description, value of the property and exemptions.
In October, the Property Appraiser's Office provides the Tax Collector's Office with a Certified Tax Roll. The Tax Roll is then used to generate property tax bills. Bills are mailed to Walton County residents before November 1st of each year. Once bills are printed, any changes in the assessed value of a property must be issued through the Property Appraiser's Office. The Tax Collector's Office cannot change the name, address, reduce or adjust the amount of taxes due on any tax account.
Assessments and Exemptions
All assessments and exemptions are handled through the Property Appraiser's Office. For more information on filing deadlines and to download forms, please visit the Walton County Property Appraiser's Web site at www.waltonpa.com.
Instructions For Searching The Tax Roll
Three ways to search for your Tax Bill online:
- Account Number - this can be located at the top right hand corner of your bill. Once you have entered your account number click, "search". Your current year tax bill will appear; if you wish to pay your bill, select "ADD TO CART". Your shopping cart will open with your payment options. Upon completing your transaction, you will be given a confirmation number.
- Owner Name - when searching by name, the spelling must match the name as recorded on the Property Appraiser's database for that particular parcel or account. You may search last name and first initial if you are not certain of how the parcel is recorded. Once you have located your account from the list provided. Click the account number to select it and the current year tax bill will appear. From this point you may view, print or pay your tax bill.
- Mailing Address - when searching via the mailing address you will need the street number, street name and direction. Please note you are searching the mailing address which may not match the physical location of the parcel. Once you have located your parcel from the list provided, click the account number to select. The current year tax bill will appear. From this point you may view, print or pay your tax bill. Please note: The "address search" is strictly limited to Walton County mailing addresses. P.O. Boxes are not searchable. Note: To search by parcel address you must utilize the Property Appraiser's web site. Once the parcel number is identified you may utilize that number to access the tax bill within our web site.
Homestead Tax Deferral
Tax deferral is designed to help taxpayers whose income is low relative to the amount of real estate tax due on their residence. With the deferral plan, taxpayers may defer all or part of their taxes, with interest accruing on the deferred amount until it is paid. The deferral becomes a lien on the property. Several conditions must be met in order to defer taxes.
County residents that have homestead exemption on the current roll may defer taxes in excess of 5% of their income. If the taxpayer is 65 or older, they may defer an amount in excess of 3% of their income. County residents with incomes less than $ 10,000 ($ 12,000 if 70 or older) may defer the entire amount of taxes. Income is defined as the adjusted gross income by the Internal Revenue Service and must include the income of all household members.
In addition to the income requirements, several other conditions must be met. The home mortgage may not exceed 70% of the assessed value, and all liens and deferred taxes may not exceed 85% of the home's assessed value. In addition, proof of fire and extended coverage home insurance must be in excess of all liens and deferred tax. The insurance policy must have a payable clause to the Tax Collector.
Applications for the deferral plan must be made each year after the tax bills have been mailed, on or before January 31st. Applications are available at the Tax Collector's Office.