Millage rate

Property tax is calculated by applying a millage rate to a property's taxable value. A mill is one dollar of tax for every $1,000 of taxable value, and a parcel's total rate is the sum of the millages levied by the county, the school board, the city, and any special districts that cover it.

Because each of those bodies sets its rate during an annual budget cycle, the millage that applies to a given home changes over time and varies from place to place. For that reason this glossary does not quote a rate: the authoritative, current number for a specific property comes from the county Property Appraiser.

When you estimate a Florida payment, pair the rate question with the assessment question. The seller's current bill is often a poor guide to yours, because the assessed value resets toward market value after a sale — so budget from the reset and confirm both the rate and any exemptions with the appraiser for the county.