According to several sources, property taxes are America’s most hated tax. It’s also the country’s oldest tax and the only one enforced in all 50 states.

One of the main reasons people don’t like property taxes is that they just don’t understand them.

That’s why home and

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put together this guide to everything you need to know about property tax in Marion County,

Florida

—from what property taxes are to what they pay for.

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Property tax 101

If you’re a property tax newbie, here’s everything you need to know:

Property taxes are paid to the local government for the public services and amenities they provide (such as public education and emergency response)

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

Your property taxes will be determined by a local tax assessor who assigns rates based on market values and a local tax rate

Property taxes can change frequently based on the local housing market and your community’s budget

Basically, property taxes are how residents provide the local government with funds to cover essential maintenance of the community.

MORE: Homeowners insurance in Florida

What is the property tax rate in Marion County?

Marion County’s average tax rate is .86% of assessed home values—which is below the national average and the

Florida

state average of .97%.

How Marion County property taxes are determined

In Marion County, the Real Estate Tax Roll is written by the county

property appraiser

. They determine the ownership, mailing address of the property owner, and legal description of the property. They also determine if any exemptions, such as homestead or disability, are applicable.

The appraiser then calculates the taxes by multiplying the property value, minus any exemptions, by the millage rate (or tax rate). The tax authorities of the county determine the applicable millage rate.

Each tax bill will contain Ad Valorem taxes (based on assessed value and millage rate) and Non-Ad Valorem taxes (based on fixed fees). You can get a detailed breakdown on the Tax Collector’s

Tax Bill Explanation

page.

What do Marion County property taxes pay for?

Marion County directs property tax revenue to a variety of services, including:

School board

County General Fund

Law enforcement

County fire, rescue, and EMS

Fine and forfeiture

Water management district

Health Unit Trust Fund

The

General Fund

provides financing for programs and services in Marion County, such as public safety communications (911), animal services, and parks and facilities management.

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Florida car insurance laws

How to pay property taxes in Marion County

Marion County property taxes are based on the calendar year from January 1 to December 31. Taxes are due on April 1 and discounts are offered for paying in advance at the following rates:

4% in November

3% in December

2% in January

1% in February

0% in March

Property owners in Marion County have several convenient options for paying their taxes:

Pay online: Payment may be made by credit card or e-check.

Credit card payments

incur a 2.5% (or $2, whichever is greater) convenience fee per transaction; there is no extra fee for using an e-check.

Pay by mail: Payments must be made via money order or cashier’s check. Make checks payable to: George Albright, Tax Collector, P.O. Box 970, Ocala, FL 34478. Remember to include your parcel number on the check.

Pay in person: The Marion County Tax Collector has

in Ocala,

, and

. You may pay at any location, though they warn that they tend to get very busy on Mondays, Fridays, and the last day of the month.

Pay by phone: Call (352) 368-8200 to pay your tax bill by phone.

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How to save money on homeowners and car insurance in Marion County

Florida

's property tax rates are among the lowest in the country, but they’re still a significant expense. If you need help making ends meet, home and

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