Citizens Guide to the Budget: TRIM Notices

Each August, the Pinellas County property appraiser’s office mails a Truth in Millage (TRIM) notice to all property owners in the county. The TRIM notice explains how we calculate your property taxes, or millage rates. It shows you your taxable values for the prior and current years, as well as a comparison to the proposed rates for the following year.

The proposed millage rate is based on:

• Property values.
• Tax exemptions.
• The proposed tax rate set by the taxing authorities.

These taxing authorities include Pinellas County, the school board and the individual municipalities.

The property appraiser mails the TRIM notice after the proposed millage rates are set by all of the taxing authorities. The TRIM notice gives you time to ask questions and discuss your values with an appraiser, and it provides information on how to appeal your value or exemption denial.

The final millage rate is voted on as part of the final budget approval every September. Each taxing authority holds a public hearing for that vote. The hearing dates and contact information are provided on the TRIM notice. The new fiscal year begins October 1, and the Pinellas County tax collector sends out the tax bills on or around November 1.

The Pinellas County Property Appraiser’s website has a sample TRIM notice and a detailed guide to the TRIM notice for citizens, as well as information on how we appraise property in Pinellas County.

The Pinellas County Tax Collector website has information on property taxes and the services provided.