Payment Options

Real Estate taxes become payable on November 1 and are due in full by March 31 of the following year. For those who are not able to pay the entire bill in one lump sum, Florida Statute has established tax payment plans.

Please note: This option is open for the 2024 Tax Year. It is closed for the 2023 Tax Year.

This plan allows customers to pay real estate property taxes in four installments throughout the year. Participants in the installment plan receive discounts on their total tax bill.

To participate in the installment plan, taxpayers must apply online or submit an Installment Payment Plan Application to the Tax Collector for each account by April 30 of the tax year.

Eligibility 

  • Must apply before May 1st of the tax year for which application is being made
  • Estimated taxes due must be more than $100 per tax notice

Application Requirements

Individuals are able to apply for the property tax installment plan online on November 1. To sign up:

  • Visit the Property Tax Search page.
  • Enter your name address or account number.
  • When your account returns, select the link to apply for installments.

Alternately, you may print and submit a paper version of the Installment Payment Plan Application.

Applications must be completed and submitted to the Lee County Tax Collector’s Office on, or before, the last day of April of the tax year. (Ex: For 2024 taxes, applications must be received by April 30, 2024.)

If a property is sold after one or more installment payments have been made, the new owner must continue the plan for that tax year.

Once you are enrolled and the first installment payment is made, you do not have to reapply each year as long as the first installment payment is made every year.

Payment Schedule:
1st Payment – Due by June 30

  • One quarter of previous year’s gross tax discounted 6%
  • If this payment is not made on time, the customer has the option to make the first quarterly payment by July 31, but the discount will be lost

2nd Payment – Due by September 30

  • One quarter of previous year’s gross tax discounted 4.5%

3rd Payment – Due by December 31

  • One quarter of previous year’s gross tax plus one-half of any adjustment to current taxes, discounted 3%.

4th Payment – Due by March 31

  • One quarter of previous year’s gross tax plus one-half of any adjustment to current taxes, no discount.

Taxpayers who sign up but do not make the first installment payment by July 31 will be removed from the plan and must reapply the next year.

If the 2nd or 3rd payment is missed, the overdue amount is added to the next installment payment. Any missed installment payments will result in the loss of the discount.

Any amount remaining unpaid as of April 1st is subject to the provisions of law related to delinquent taxes.

To participate in the installment plan, taxpayers must submit an Installment Payment Plan Application for each account to the Tax Collector by April 30 of the tax year.

Please note: This option is closed for the 2023 tax year. Please check back in November 2024 for the Partial Payment Plan application for tax year 2024.

The Lee County Tax Collector will accept partial payments on current year real estate and tangible property taxes. Delinquent taxes are not eligible for partial payments.

By law, there is a $10 processing fee payable to the Tax Collector’s office.

Partial payments are not accepted online and are not eligible for any discounts.

To be eligible to make partial payments, taxpayers must:

  1. Complete a Partial Payment Plan Agreement form and submit with the first partial payment.
  2. Remit all partial payments during the current tax year, November 1 to March 31.

Any remaining balance not paid before April 1st becomes delinquent.

Taxpayers who are currently on the Installment Payment Plan are not eligible for the partial payment plan.

Florida Statute allows property owners to defer payment of a portion, or all, of their taxes. The taxes due become a lien on the property and you must furnish fire insurance coverage with a loss payable clause to the Lee County Tax Collector.

To be eligible, the customer must meet certain qualifications based on age, income, and outstanding liens, and must have homestead exemption or be eligible for homestead on their property.

If insurance is not maintained, or there is a change in ownership or use of the property, all deferred taxes plus interest are due and payable.

The deadline to apply is March 31 for the current tax year. For an application and additional information on Homestead Tax Deferral, contact the Tax Collector’s office at 239.533.6000.

Translate »