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August 2026 Newsletter

Bob "Coach" Henriquez, CFA

Hillsborough County Property Appraiser

Coach's Corner

August marks an important milestone in Hillsborough County's property tax calendar as property owners begin receiving their Truth in Millage (TRIM) Notice.

Your TRIM Notice provides your property's market, assessed, and taxable values, along with proposed tax rates and estimated property taxes. It also lists the dates, times, and locations of public budget hearings, giving residents the opportunity to speak directly with taxing authorities about proposed tax rates before they are finalized.

It's important to remember that the Property Appraiser does not set tax rates. We determine fair and equitable property values as of January 1 each year based on market data. The taxing authorities then use those values to establish their budgets and tax rates.

When your TRIM Notice arrives, take a few moments to review it carefully. If you have questions about your property's value, exemptions, or any information on your TRIM notice, our team is ready to assist you. Give us a call at 813-272-6100 and we'll be happy to review it with you or CLICK HERE.

In this month's newsletter, you'll learn about portability where you may be able to transfer accumulated tax savings –up to $500,000—to your new home, understand the rules for short-term rentals on homesteaded properties, become aware of property and mortgage fraud in Hillsborough County and how to prevent it, and more.

I hope you enjoy this edition and find the information helpful and informative.

Respectfully,

Bob "Coach" Henriquez, CFA

Hillsborough County Property Appraiser

SHORT TERM RENTALS & YOUR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION

If you receive a Homestead Exemption and are thinking about renting your property, it's important to understand how doing so may affect your exemption.

Under Florida law, you may:

Rent your property for 30 days or less during a calendar year.
Rent your property for more than 30 days but less than six months during a calendar year. However, if you rent it again the following year for more than 30 days, you may lose your Homestead Exemption.
Rent your property on any day except January 1. If your home is rented on January 1, your Homestead Exemption will be denied for that tax year.

Renting your homesteaded property for more than six months is considered an abandonment of your Homestead Exemption. Florida law requires property owners to notify the Property Appraiser's Office if their property no longer qualifies. Failure to do so may result in a homestead tax lien, along with substantial penalties and interest.

TAKE YOUR HOMESTEAD SAVINGS WITH YOU

Selling your homesteaded property and buying another Florida home? You may be able to transfer your accumulated Save Our Homes tax savings—up to $500,000—to your new residence. The Save Our Homes benefit is the difference between the market value and the assessed value.

Known as portability, this benefit allows eligible Florida homeowners to apply their previous Homestead savings to a new homesteaded property, potentially reducing the assessed value of their new home for tax purposes.

Eligibility requirements and filing deadlines apply. For more information, call 813-272-6100 to speak with a member of our team, connect in a live chat, Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm, or CLICK HERE.

PROTECT YOUR HOME. PROTECT YOUR PEACE OF MIND!

Property and mortgage fraud is one of the fastest-growing white-collar crimes in the United States, according to the FBI. Criminals may file fraudulent documents that make it appear they own property that actually belongs to someone else, potentially allowing them to sell, rent, or borrow against it.

Property Fraud Alert is a FREE service that helps protect property owners by monitoring documents recorded in the Official Records of the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court. To enroll: CLICK HERE.

When you enroll, you'll receive an email or telephone notification whenever a document is recorded in Hillsborough County using your name or your business's name. If you receive an alert for activity you did not authorize, you'll have valuable time to act and help prevent further fraud.

Monitoring your property records is one of the easiest ways to safeguard your property and your identity.

Enroll today and take advantage of this free service.

TRUTH VS MYTH:

I FILE MY HOMESTEAD DOCUMENTS AT CLOSING

You sign a lot of paperwork at closing--but your Homestead Exemption application isn't one of those documents.

It's easy to assume it's part of the stack of documents you sign, but it's not included. Applying for Homestead Exemption is a separate step you must complete with the office of the Property Appraiser CLICK HERE.

You can apply online at or visit us in person at one of our four locations-- Downtown Tampa, Brandon, Plant City and Ruskin. We're happy to help.

IS YOUR MAILING ADDRESS

UP TO DATE?

It is important to keep our office informed of your current mailing address. In addition to informational documents sent from our office such as the annual Notice of Proposed Property Taxes, also known as the TRIM (Truth in Millage) Notice, the Tax Collector also uses our address database to mail your tax bill.

Do you need to change your mailing address? You can fill out a form here: CLICK HERE .

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