Truth in Millage (TRIM Notice)

In August of each year, the Pinellas County Property Appraiser’s office mails a Notice of Proposed Property Taxes or Truth in Millage (TRIM) notice to all property owners in the county. The TRIM notice explains how property taxes are calculated.

The notice shows property owners their just, assessed and taxable values for the prior and current years. It also provides a comparison of the prior year taxes for each taxing authority to the current proposed property taxes.  Exemptions and reductions in value due to assessment caps are provided, along with any non-ad valorem assessments.  Current year taxes are based on property values, tax exemptions and the proposed tax rate that has been set by the taxing authorities.  

The proposed property tax rate, or millage rate, is set by various taxing authorities. Pinellas County is one taxing authority. There are others, such as the School Board and the individual municipalities. Based on their proposed budgets, they determine a “proposed” millage rate. One mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of taxable property value. Once the proposed millage rate is set, the taxing authority cannot raise it, though it is permitted to set it at a lower rate.

The property appraiser mails the TRIM notice after the proposed millage rates are set by all of the taxing authorities. The TRIM notice gives property owners time to ask questions, discuss their value with an appraiser, and provides information on how to appeal their value or exemption denial.
The final millage rate will be voted upon as part of the final budget approval in 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 about 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 property is appraised in Pinellas County.

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