Paying your property taxes each year is a large part of the financial responsibilities that come with homeownership. While property taxes are paid everywhere in the US, they can be difficult and expensive to navigate, especially if you’re a new homeowner. Property tax rates and payment processes change often and are different depending on the state and county you live in.

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Property Tax 101

Property taxes are funds collected from homeowners in certain tax districts that local governments use to pay for public services. These public services include things like education, emergency services, public libraries, and law enforcement.

Here's all you need to know about property taxes:

Most property taxes apply to real property like land, buildings, and homes

Your property taxes are determined by a local tax assessor who assigns rates based on your property’s market value and your local tax rate

Property taxes can change based on market conditions and local budgets

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Florida minimum car insurance laws

What is the property tax rate in Lee County?

Lee County’s average tax rate is 1.04% of a property’s assessed market value, which is above Florida’s average property tax rate of 0.97% and one of the highest median rates in the country. You can expect to pay around $2,197 in property taxes per year based on the Lee County average.

How Lee County property taxes are determined

Lee County property taxes apply to each of the county’s taxing districts and are calculated based on the value of your home and the cost of specific public services.

Each of Lee County’s district boards determines a budget for public services and community improvement projects and levies property taxes to fit this budget. Once the budget is set, the County Auditor determines a tax rate for each district.

The

Lee County Property Appraiser

evaluates what your property’s worth is based on a fair valuation of the property market in your area. Your property tax in Lee County will be 1.04% of this valuation on average. If you’re unhappy with your property’s appraisal, you may file a value petition to appeal the value with the

Lee County Value Adjustment Board

You may qualify for a Lee County property tax

Homestead Exemption

which reduces the amount of property tax you pay each year. You can apply for this exemption online through the Lee County Property Appraiser’s

website

What do Lee County property taxes pay for?

Lee County uses property taxes to fund a variety of services, including the following:

Transportation

Roads and highways

Law enforcement

Public health

Building safety

Public libraries

K-12 and community education

Solid waste

Fire rescue

Public housing

MORE:

How to deduct a car accident from your taxes

How to pay property taxes in Lee County

Lee County property tax notices are mailed out each year on November 1st. Homeowners have until April 1st to make a one-time full payment. Taxes become delinquent after April 1st and you might face penalization for not paying.

You can receive a property tax discount if you pay before April first. The discount amount depends on how early you pay:

4% if paid in November

3% if paid in December

2% if paid in January

1% if paid in February

You have a few easy and convenient payment methods to pay your Lee County property taxes on time.

Online: You can pay online via the

Lee County tax payment portal

using a major credit or debit card. You’ll have to pay a convenience fee for processing the transaction.

In-person: You can visit the Lee County Tax Collector’s office at 2480 Street in Fort Myers and pay by cash, check, debit, or credit card. Debit and credit card transactions are subject to a convenience fee.

By mail: You can send a check which includes your account number to this address Lee County Tax Collector, PO Box 1609, Fort Myers, FL 33902-1609

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