Tangible Personal Property Taxes
Tangible Personal Property Tax is an Ad Valorem tax assessed against the furniture, fixtures, and equipment located in businesses and rental property. Tangible Personal Property Tax also applies to structural additions of a mobile home.
The assessed value of the tangible personal property is determined by the property appraiser. The assessment is based on a January 1 status. If a business was open, a unit was rented, or a mobile home was owned on January 1, an assessment will be made. There is no statutory provision for proration in the event of a mid-year sale, closure or liquidation.
Taxpayer Responsibility
Tangible Personal Property taxpayers are to submit a Tangible Tax Return to the Property Appraiser’s Office annually, prior to April 1, to avoid a penalty and possibly be eligible for the Amendment 1 Exemption of up to $25,000.
It is the taxpayer’s responsibility to notify the Property Appraiser’s office of any changes to the tax roll, such as name, address, location, addition, or deletion of tangible personal property.
For questions concerning assessments or filing information, please contact the Highlands County Property Appraiser at (863) 402-6659 or at their website at https://www.hcpao.org.
Tax Collector Responsibility
The Tax Collector is responsible for mailing the tax notices and collecting all taxes due. Tax notices are mailed out in November of each year with payment due by March 31.
Unpaid taxes become delinquent on April 1. If taxes are not paid, warrants are issued prior to April 30 of the next year on all unpaid tangible personal property taxes. Additional penalties, interest, advertising, and collection costs are added to the total due.
This office has engaged the services of a third party vendor to collect delinquent tangible tax warrants. The Tax Collector may levy/seize and sell personal property as required by the Florida Statutes through a court order.