Ad Valorem Tax

In Florida, property taxes and real estate taxes are also known as ad valorem taxes. Ad valorem means "based on value". The greater the value, the higher the assessment. Taxes usually increase along with the assessments, subject to certain exemptions.

Santa Rosa County property taxes provide the fund local governments to provide needed services such as education, law enforcement, and public works. Without property taxes many of the services provided by local government would not be available.

The property appraiser is not the person who determines the amount of taxes levied. Those who are responsible are known as the taxing authorities, examples being the county commission, school board, cities, fire departments and water management districts. The property appraiser's responsibility is to determine market value of your property and to maintain equity within the tax roll. The assessed value of your property is only one part of the equation.

• • Assessed Value

  Provided by the Property Appraiser
• • Exemptions

  Granted by the Property Appraiser
• • Assessment Rate

  Determined by Taxing Authorities
• • Taxes Payable

  A mathematical calculation