Dear Taxpayer:
Our office is in the final stages of preparing the 2026 estimated taxable property values, which will be shared with Palm Beach County’s taxing authorities later this month. These early estimates help local governments begin developing their budgets and considering proposed millage (tax) rates.
Property taxes fund essential local services that residents rely on every day. Your total tax bill is distributed among several taxing authorities, each responsible for specific services. Depending on where you live, your property taxes support the school district, Palm Beach County government services, your municipality, fire rescue, water management, and other special districts.
It’s important to remember that while our office determines the value of your property, we do not set millage rates, collect taxes, or decide how tax dollars are spent. Those decisions are made by the taxing authorities.
Later this summer, the proposed millage rates—along with your property’s market, assessed, and taxable values—will appear on your Truth in Millage (TRIM) Notice, which is mailed to all property owners in August. The TRIM Notice will also include public hearing dates, where you can speak directly to taxing authorities about their proposed budgets and millage rates.
If you believe the market value of your property is inaccurate, you have the right to file a petition with the Value Adjustment Board through the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller. For more information, visit pbcpao.gov or contact our office at (561) 355-2883.
In this month’s newsletter, we’re highlighting our Public Services Support team and providing information on exemptions available to surviving spouses. I hope you find this informative.
Respectfully,
Dorothy Jacks, CFA, FIAAO, AAS,
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser
Exemptions For Surviving Spouses
Certain property tax exemptions are available to surviving spouses who meet specific eligibility requirements. To qualify for the exemptions below, the property must have a homestead exemption.
Widow/Widower Exemption
Florida provides a $5,000 exemption for widows and widowers who were widowed prior to January 1 of the tax year.
• Applicants must have a homestead exemption
• If the surviving spouse remarries, the exemption no longer applies
• Divorced individuals do not qualify
To apply, submit a copy of the deceased spouse’s death certificate along with a written request. (Florida Statute 196.202)
First Responder’s Surviving Spouse Exemption (F.S. 196.081(6).
A surviving spouse of a first responder who died in the line of duty may qualify for a total exemption on their homestead property. (Florida Statute 196.081 (6) ).
Surviving Spouse Of A Disabled Veteran
The surviving spouse of a deceased veteran who qualified for a disabled veteran exemption may receive a full exemption on their homestead property. (F.S. 196.081)
Not sure if you qualify? Contact Exemption Services at (561) 355-2866 or visit pbcpao.gov—we’re here to help.
Department Spotlight: Public Services Support
Our Public Services Support team plays a key role in helping residents access property data and public records.
From simple address labels to complex, customized reports, the team handles hundreds of requests each year using data from our Geographic Information System (GIS) and appraisal systems.
In the past year, the team:
• Processed 941 Data Run Requests/Variances
(including address labels, maps, owner lists, and variance-related reports)
• Fulfilled 1,085 Archive Record Requests
(such as tax rolls and building cards, some dating back to 1977)
• Assisted with 2,100 Impact Fee Record Requests
(helping determine if a structure previously existed on a property for potential fee credits)
• Generated 5,816 Preliminary Building Cards
(preliminary values prior to the final tax roll; values are subject to change)
• Produced 152 Custom/Specialized Reports, including:
○ Tax roll data by assessed value
○ Homestead counts by municipality
○ Full tax roll or appraisal datasets
○ Sales and subdivision reports
○ Lists of vacant properties or property types
○ Estate-related property searches
○ Mailing labels and geographic data files
What We Do Not Handle
To help direct you to the right resource, please note that our office does not handle:
• Survey requests
• Delinquent tax inquiries
• Property auction information
While many tools—such as maps, sales data, and mailing lists—are available on our website, public services support is available to assist with more specialized requests. Call us at (561) 355-2881 or email [email protected].
Caption:
The Public Services Team: Jonathon Johnson, Virginia Leonard, Tatianna Bassler, and Sade Neuforth.
Seasonal Reminders
Snowbirds: Be sure to review homestead and rental rules to maintain eligibility.
Hurricane Season: Keep a copy of your property record for insurance and recovery purposes.
Buying or Selling: Use our Tax Estimator to understand potential changes in your tax bill.
Office Closed – Memorial Day
All Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office locations will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026, in observance of Memorial Day.
We honor and remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.
