Property Appraiser Pedro J. Garcia urges property owners to read their TRIM Notice carefully and contact his office if they have questions
The Office of the Property Appraiser will mail the 2012 Notice of Proposed Property Taxes (also called the TRIM Truth in Millage Notice) to more than a million properties and businesses in Miami-Dade County this Friday, August 24th. The mailing of this notice sets the stage for the 2012 Interview Period when property and business owners are encouraged to contact the Property Appraiser with questions about their values and exemptions.
Included in the package mailed to property owners is a guide to help them better understand the TRIM Notice. It also contains a newsletter featuring a message from Property Appraiser Pedro J. Garcia, reiterating his plea for property owners to carefully read the document. Mr. Garcia also reflects on the state of the real estate market, noting that “after four tumultuous years of decline, property values in Miami-Dade are unquestionably on the rebound.”
The TRIM Notice has important information about each individual property, including:
- The property’s assessed value as of January 1, 2012
- Exemptions applied to the property
- Proposed taxes calculated on the basis of the taxing authorities’ proposed millage rates
- Dates, times and venues of budget hearings for each of the taxing authorities
Mr. Garcia is urging property owners to carefully review this information and to use online tools available on the Property Appraiser’s website www.miamidade.gov/pa/ such as the Tax Comparison Calculator, the Tax Estimator and the Tax Visualizer.
During the Interview Period property owners who have questions about their values and/or exemptions are encouraged to meet with Property Appraiser staff at either the Downtown Miami (111 NW 1st Street 8th Floor) or South Dade Government Center (10710 SW 211th Street 2nd Floor) offices. They should bring to these interviews, documents which may support their case for an assessment reduction, such as appraisals, photographs and insurance claim paperwork. Property owners can also contact the Appraiser’s Office at 786-331-5321. .
“My staff will work to address property owners’ concerns on value and exemptions, and make changes where evidence supports it,” the Property Appraiser said. He notes also that property owners have the right to appeal to the Value Adjustment Board (VAB). The deadline for filing a VAB appeal is September 18, 2012.
Mr. Gacia has again emphasized that the Property Appraiser’s Office does not set tax rates, collect taxes or compile budgets. Questions about those issues should be directed to the respective taxing authority listed on the TRIM Notice.