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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Hillsborough County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Hillsborough County, FL. Rates, due dates, exemptions, and how it affects your monthly payment.

8 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
0.8% to 1.2% of assessed value
1st Due
Nov 1
Exemptions
6+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Hillsborough County's property tax system serves as the primary funding mechanism for essential local services including public schools, law enforcement, fire protection, libraries, parks, and county infrastructure. Property taxes are administered by the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser's Office, which assesses property values, and collected by the Hillsborough County Tax Collector. The county benefits from Florida's "Save Our Homes" constitutional amendment, which caps annual assessment increases at 3% for homestead properties, providing stability and predictability for long-term homeowners.

The effective tax rate in Hillsborough County typically ranges from 0.8% to 1.2% of assessed value, depending on the specific taxing districts where your property is located. This rate is generally lower than the national average due to Florida's lack of state income tax and the assessment cap protections. Property owners may also benefit from various exemptions, most notably the homestead exemption which can reduce taxable value by up to $50,000 for primary residences.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentApproximate RateDescription
County General0.4985 millsGeneral county operations, services, and infrastructure
School District0.746 millsHillsborough County Public Schools funding
Children's Services0.50 millsChildren and family services programs
Transportation0.50 millsPublic transportation and road improvements
Municipal*VariesCity-specific services (if within city limits)
Special Districts*VariesFire districts, library districts, lighting districts

*Municipal and special district rates vary by location within Hillsborough County. Total effective rates typically range from 1.7 to 2.2 mills (0.17% to 0.22%) depending on your property's specific location and applicable districts.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Hillsborough County, property taxes are due in two installments:

First Installment
Nov 1
Delinquent after Dec 10
Pro tip: If you pay through mortgage escrow, your lender splits these payments across your monthly mortgage. If you pay directly, set calendar reminders to avoid late penalties.
Section 4

Supplemental Tax Bills

Supplemental taxes in Hillsborough County are triggered when there are changes in property ownership, new construction completion, or major improvements that increase a property's assessed value mid-tax year. When these events occur, the Property Appraiser's Office issues a supplemental assessment reflecting the change in value from the effective date through the end of the tax year (December 31st).

The supplemental tax is calculated by determining the difference between the new assessed value and the previous assessed value, applying any applicable exemptions, then multiplying by the current tax rate and prorating for the remaining months in the tax year. For example, if a $100,000 addition is completed and assessed in July, the supplemental tax would be calculated on that $100,000 increase for the remaining 6 months of the tax year (July through December), resulting in approximately 50% of the annual tax that would be due on that improvement.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Homestead Property

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Less Homestead Exemption: -$50,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $250,000
  • Tax Rate: 2.0% (estimated total millage)
  • Annual Tax: $5,000
  • Monthly Escrow: $417

Example 2: $600,000 Homestead Property

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less Homestead Exemption: -$50,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $550,000
  • Tax Rate: 2.0% (estimated total millage)
  • Annual Tax: $11,000
  • Monthly Escrow: $917

Example 3: $1,000,000 Homestead Property

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Less Homestead Exemption: -$50,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $950,000
  • Tax Rate: 2.0% (estimated total millage)
  • Annual Tax: $19,000
  • Monthly Escrow: $1,583

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Hillsborough County require property tax escrow accounts, where monthly payments are collected along with your mortgage payment and held until taxes become due. Lenders typically collect 1/12th of your annual property tax bill each month, plus an additional cushion of up to two months' worth of taxes as required by federal law. Your lender will pay your property taxes directly to the Hillsborough County Tax Collector when they become due on November 1st.

Property tax payments become payable on November 1st and must be paid in full by March 31st of the following year to avoid delinquency. Early payment discounts are available: 4% in November, 3% in December, 2% in January, and 1% in February. If you escrow your taxes, your lender will determine whether to take advantage of these discounts. You can verify that your taxes have been paid and view payment history online at https://www.hillsclerk.com/taxcollector.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
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  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Hillsborough County? A: Property taxes become payable November 1st and are due in full by March 31st of the following year. Penalties begin accruing April 1st.

Q: What early payment discounts are available? A: Discounts are 4% in November, 3% in December, 2% in January, and 1% in February when paid by the end of each respective month.

Q: How much is the homestead exemption worth? A: The homestead exemption can reduce your taxable value by up to $50,000 for your primary residence, potentially saving $500-$1,000 annually in taxes.

Q: Can I appeal my property assessment? A: Yes, you can file a petition with the Value Adjustment Board. The deadline is typically 25 days after the Notice of Proposed Property Taxes (TRIM notice) is mailed in August.

Q: What happens if I pay my taxes late? A: Interest begins accruing at 1.5% per month starting April 1st. After two years, the tax certificate may be sold to investors, and after seven years, a tax deed application may be filed.

Q: How do I apply for homestead exemption? A: Apply with the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser's Office by March 1st. You must own and occupy the property as your primary residence by January 1st of the tax year.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Yes, online payments are accepted through the Tax Collector's website. There may be convenience fees for credit card payments.

Q: How is my property value determined? A: The Property Appraiser assesses all properties annually based on market value as of January 1st, considering recent sales, property characteristics, and market conditions. Visit https://www.hcpafl.org/ for detailed information about the assessment process.

Verified Sources

Backed by 8 Official Government Sources

Every fact in this guide is sourced from official county, state, and federal documents.

01
County
Taxes - Hillsborough County Tax Collectorhillstaxfl.gov
02
County
Discount Periods - Hillsborough County Tax Collectorhillstaxfl.gov
03
ANNUAL REPORThillstaxfl.gov
04
Tax Doc
Property Tax Payment Planshillstaxfl.gov
05
Tax Doc
Delinquent Property Taxhillstaxfl.gov
06
County
Hillsborough County Floridawww18.swfwmd.state.fl.us
07
§ 46-95. Submission requirements for additional homestead ...hillsboroughcounty-fl.elaws.us
08
ORIGINAL APPLICATION FOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONSpbcpao.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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