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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Suwannee County
Property Tax Guide

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

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
4.4 mills base county rate + school district + municipal assessments (varies by location)
1st Due
Mar 31
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Suwannee County, Florida operates under a property tax system that funds essential local services including schools, county operations, emergency services, and infrastructure maintenance. Property taxes are assessed annually based on the January 1 market value of real estate, with tax notices mailed in November and payments due by March 31 of the following year. The county follows Florida's "Save Our Homes" amendment, which caps assessment increases at 3% annually for homesteaded properties.

The effective tax rate in Suwannee County varies significantly by location within the county due to multiple overlapping taxing districts. Based on available data, the county's general revenue fund levies at 4.4000 mills, but property owners also pay additional assessments for school districts, municipal services (if within city limits), and various special districts such as fire protection, library, and mosquito control. Total effective rates typically range from approximately 15-25 mills countywide, though rates can vary substantially based on your property's specific location and the special districts that serve it.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate (Mills)Description
Suwannee County General Revenue4.4000Core county services and operations
Suwannee County Fine & Forfeiture4.4000Law enforcement and court-related services
School DistrictVariesPublic education funding (contact school board for current rate)
Municipal ServicesVariesCity services if property is within city limits
Special Fire DistrictVariesFire protection and emergency services
Library DistrictVariesPublic library services
Hospital DistrictVariesHealthcare facility support
Other Special DistrictsVariesMay include mosquito control, soil & water conservation

Note: These rates apply to the 2025 tax year. Special district rates vary significantly based on your property's location within Suwannee County. Contact the Property Appraiser's office at (386) 362-3075 to determine which districts apply to your specific property.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

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

First Installment
Mar 31
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 Suwannee County are additional property tax bills issued when there are changes to property ownership or improvements after the January 1 assessment date. Common triggers include new construction completion, property transfers, or removal of exemptions mid-year. The supplemental tax is calculated by applying the current tax rate to the difference between the old and new assessed values, prorated for the remaining months in the tax year.

For example, if you complete a $100,000 home addition in July and your total tax rate is 20 mills, you would owe a supplemental tax of approximately $1,000 ($100,000 × 0.020) prorated for 6 months, resulting in a $500 supplemental bill. These supplemental taxes maintain the same payment deadlines as regular property taxes and become delinquent on April 1 if unpaid.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home with Homestead Exemption

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Less Homestead Exemption: -$50,000 (requires application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $250,000
  • Tax Rate: 20.0 mills (estimated)
  • Annual Tax: $5,000
  • Monthly Escrow: $417

Example 2: $600,000 Home with Homestead Exemption

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Less Homestead Exemption: -$50,000 (requires application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $550,000
  • Tax Rate: 20.0 mills (estimated)
  • Annual Tax: $11,000
  • Monthly Escrow: $917

Example 3: $1,000,000 Investment Property (No Homestead)

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Less Available Exemptions: $0 (investment properties don't qualify for homestead)
  • Net Taxable Value: $1,000,000
  • Tax Rate: 20.0 mills (estimated)
  • Annual Tax: $20,000
  • Monthly Escrow: $1,667

Note: All exemptions require annual application by March 1. Tax rates vary by special district location within the county.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Suwannee County require property tax escrow accounts for borrowers with less than 20% down payment. Lenders collect 1/12 of the estimated annual property tax bill with each monthly mortgage payment, depositing funds into an escrow account. The lender pays your property taxes directly to Suwannee County when due on March 31.

Lenders typically maintain a cushion of 2-6 months of tax payments in escrow and conduct annual analyses to adjust monthly payments based on actual tax bills. If your property taxes increase due to rising assessed values or new special district assessments, your monthly escrow payment will increase accordingly. Property owners can verify escrow payments by checking with the Suwannee County Tax Collector's office or viewing payment records online. If you pay taxes directly without escrow, ensure payments reach the Tax Collector by March 31 to avoid delinquency penalties starting April 1.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Suwannee County for the current fiscal year? A: Tax notices are mailed in November with full payment due by March 31. Early payment discounts are available in January and February. Unpaid taxes become delinquent on April 1.

Q: What is the homestead exemption and do I need to apply? A: The homestead exemption reduces your taxable value by up to $50,000 ($25,000 base exemption plus up to $25,000 additional). You must apply annually by March 1 at the Property Appraiser's office. This is not automatic.

Q: How does the Save Our Homes cap work? A: Save Our Homes limits assessment increases to 3% annually or the Consumer Price Index (whichever is lower) for homesteaded properties. This caps how much your assessed value can grow year-over-year, but requires filing homestead exemption.

Q: Can I appeal my property assessment? A: Yes, you can petition the Value Adjustment Board if you disagree with your assessment. Petitions must be filed by the 25th day following the mailing of the TRIM notice, typically in late August or early September.

Q: What are the penalties for late payment? A: Taxes become delinquent April 1. Interest accrues monthly, and after two years of delinquency, properties may be sold at tax certificate sales.

Q: How can I pay my property taxes online? A: Contact the Suwannee County Tax Collector's office at (386) 362-1334 for online payment options and current website information.

Q: Why did my tax bill increase when my exemptions stayed the same? A: Tax increases can result from rising property values, new special district assessments, increased millage rates, or changes in special districts serving your area.

Q: What other tax credits are available besides homestead? A: Additional exemptions may include senior citizen exemptions, disability exemptions, veteran exemptions, and widow/widower exemptions. All require separate applications by March 1 at the Property Appraiser's office.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
County
Property Detail - Suwannee Countysuwannee.floridatax.us
02
County
Property Detail - Suwannee Countysuwannee.floridatax.us
03
County
Property Detail - Suwannee Countysuwannee.floridatax.us
04
Tax Doc
Tangible Personal Property Taxesflaglertax.gov
05
Tax Doc
Important Dates & Deadlines – Taxesflaglertax.gov
06
SRWMD 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Reportsrwmd.state.fl.us
07
County
Property Detail - Suwannee Countysuwannee.floridatax.us
08
County
Property Detail - Suwannee Countysuwannee.floridatax.us
09
County
Property Detail - Suwannee Countysuwannee.floridatax.us
10
County
Property Detail - Suwannee Countysuwannee.floridatax.us
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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