(1) The tax collector must notify taxpayers of their right to pre-pay taxes and non-ad valorem assessments by installment, as provided in Florida Statutes § 197.222(5)

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    (2)(a) Any taxpayer who chooses to pay taxes by the installment method must file an application with the tax collector by the statutory deadline for each tax notice. Taxpayers must use application Form DR-534, Application for Installment Payment of Property Taxes, incorporated by reference in Fl. Admin. Code R. 12D-16.002
    (b) The postmark, electronic submission or delivery date of each application determines whether the application was filed on time. A taxpayer who does not file on time cannot participate in the installment payment plan for that year.
    (3) After receiving a timely application, the tax collector must prepare and send quarterly installment tax notices with the discount rates provided by Florida Statutes § 197.222 Tax notices for installment payments may be sent early, but must be sent so the taxpayer has at least 30 days to pay and receive the appropriate discount.
    (4) Estimated taxes for installment payments must be divided into four payments to be made in June, September, December, and March. The December and March installment payments must be adjusted to reflect the increase or decrease of the current year’s taxes.
    (5) A taxpayer who applies to make installment payments and makes the first payment on time is required to pay by installments for that year. The taxpayer may pay installments before they are due if the current year’s tax roll is open for collection. When paid early, the taxpayer is only entitled to the discounts applicable to the installment payments and not to the discounts applicable to annual payments under Florida Statutes § 197.162
    (6) When an application to pay taxes by installment has been filed on time and the property is then transferred in whole or part by any method, the new owner(s) must continue the installment payment plan for that tax year. The taxpayer may pay installments before they are due if the current year’s tax roll is open for collection. When paid early, the taxpayer is only entitled to the discounts applicable to the installment payments and not to the discounts applicable to annual payments under Florida Statutes § 197.162
    (7) When the property has been divided, the owner(s) must file a request for cutout with the tax collector. Cutouts may be processed at any time in the payment schedule. Each cutout will continue to be paid by installment for that tax year and is subject to the same discounts and deadlines as the original tax bill.
Rulemaking Authority 195.022, 195.027(1), 213.06(1) FS. Law Implemented 192.048, 195.022, 197.162, 197.222, 197.3632 FS. History-New 6-18-85, Formerly 12D-13.22, Amended 12-13-92, 4-5-16.