This year, more than 562,000 tax notices are being mailed to property and business owners in Lee County.  Here is a guide to help you better understand how to read and understand the content of your tax bill. 

Remember, annual taxes are determined using the following calculation:

All the above components are listed on your tax bill, you just need to know where to look.

Let’s work through the bill using this guide, starting from the upper left corner. There, your Account Number and Alternate Key are listed. Those will be useful if you need to contact our office, or the Property Appraiser’s Office.

To the right of the Account Number, are the site address and legal description of the property. Any changes to those will need to be made by contacting the Property Appraiser’s Office at www.leepa.org or 239-533-6100.

Moving further to the right is a QR Code. Scanning that code with your mobile phone’s camera will take you directly to your online account where you can pay your taxes.

Furthest to the right, in the upper corner of the bill is a list of exemptions and their values. If you have questions about these, please contact the Property Appraiser’s Office at www.leepa.org or 239-533-6100.

The center of the page has a list of Levying Authorities along with their telephone numbers and rates. Any questions about the rates or services provided, need to be answered by calling the Levying Authority directly.

About 2/3 of the way down the page, on the right, above the perforation line, you will see the total amount of Ad Valorem and Non-Ad Valorem Taxes.

However, if paid early, there is a discount on that amount. Taxes paid in November receive a 4% discount, December a 3% discount, January a 2% and February is a 1% discount. Those amounts are reflected in the payment box on the bottom right of the notice.

Simply check the box next to the amount you wish to pay, tear off the coupon and return it, along with payment, in the envelope provided.

You can also pay online by scanning the QR code at the top of the bill, or by going to www.LeeTC.com and clicking Pay Online.

For additional guidance on which office to call with questions, please refer to the chart below, located on the back of the notice.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to know who to contact with questions regarding your property taxes. Below, we’ve collected the most common questions about your property taxes and related topics!

I need to change my mailing address – who do I call?
The Property Appraiser is responsible for maintaining property records, including the mailing address. You can make the change on their website, www.leepa.org or call their office at 239-533-6100.

I have a question about my exemptions – who do I call?
The Property Appraiser is responsible for maintaining property records, including the exemptions. You can visit their website for more information, www.leepa.org or call their office at 239-533-6100.

How do I print my property tax bill?
Visit our property tax payment website enter your name or address in the search field. Select your record. Click “Print (PDF)” which is located under the “Add to Cart” button. You can print a hard copy or save the file to your computer.

How do I know if my payment was received?
Visit our property tax payment website and enter your name or address in the search field. Select your record. The Account History will display the tax year and show PAID or UNPAID. Please allow 7 – 10 days for mail and processing before this information is posted.

How can I get a receipt for my tax payment?
Visit our property tax payment website enter your name or address in the search field. Select your record. The Account History will display the tax year and show PAID. A receipt can be printed by clicking “Print (PDF).”

Can I still sign up for the installment payment plan for 2024?
Unfortunately, no. Applications for quarterly installment payments needed to be received in our office by April 30, 2024. You can submit an application for the 2025 tax year. Those are due by April 30, 2025. Visit https://leetc.com/payment-options/ to learn more.

I no longer have a mortgage, why is a mortgage company listed on my tax notice?
If you have recently paid your mortgage in full, your property may have still been listed on their records. Contact the mortgage company to be sure there are no escrow funds allocated for the current tax year. Although the mortgage company is listed, you can still make the payment in November to receive the 4% discount.

Why did I get a tax bill for the full year when I just bought the property?
Property taxes are accounted for when closing on a property and charged or credited for your portion by the closing agent. The tax bill for the full year is sent to the current owner of record. Refer to your closing statement or call your title company or attorney if you have questions.

I sold this property, why am I getting a tax bill?
Annual tax bills are mailed to the owner of record as of the date the official tax role is sent to us from the Property Appraiser. Change of ownership is recorded with the Clerk of Court, then sent to the Property Appraiser, so it may be an issue of timing. You can forward the bill to the new owner or refer it to your closing agent.

Why did I get a Tangible Tax bill for my property?
Tangible Personal Property refers to assets used in a business or on the rental activity of a home. More specifically, it is furniture, fixtures, tools, machinery, household appliances, equipment, signs, leasehold improvements, supplies, and leased equipment – whatever is used to generate income. If you recently purchased a home that is no longer used for rental, contact the Property Appraiser’s office at 239-533-6140.

Pop Quiz!

You’ve received your tax bill and have a question about why your taxes are so high. Who should you call? The Tax Collector, the Property Appraiser, or the Taxing Authority?

The answer may not be what you think. To be fair, our system can be confusing, especially for residents coming from other states.

In Florida, the Constitution establishes two different elected positions to work with taxing authorities (i.e. the County Commission, City Councils or School District), to comprise our Property Tax System.

It’s like three legs of a stool.

The Property Appraiser values properties and prepares and certifies the tax roll (including assessed values, exemptions, legal description, assessed owners’ names and mailing addresses).

The Taxing Authorities establish millage rates and other assessments based on revenue needed to operate.

The Tax Collector receives all that information and prints and mails the tax bills, collects payment, and distributes the funds to the taxing authorities.

While we all work together, each plays a distinct role in the system.

So, the pop quiz question could have two answers: The Property Appraiser and/or the Taxing Authority.

For more information about each of our offices and who to contact with frequently asked questions, we’ve created the following chart:

This printable handout also explains the responsibilities of each office, so you know who to contact with questions!