Real Estate News

Proposed property tax bills for 2020 are in the mail. What to do if you were impacted by COVID

Property values in West Miami, which has experienced a boom of rental apartment construction, rose 12 percent in 2020, the highest of any municipality in Miami-Dade County. This 221-unit apartment building at 2001 Ludlam Rd. in West Miami sold for $59 million in 2017.
Property values in West Miami, which has experienced a boom of rental apartment construction, rose 12 percent in 2020, the highest of any municipality in Miami-Dade County. This 221-unit apartment building at 2001 Ludlam Rd. in West Miami sold for $59 million in 2017.

The Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser has mailed out the office’s annual notice of proposed property taxes (TRIM) to all property owners within the county.

The TRIM notices, which were mailed Aug. 24, inform home and commercial property owners of their property value assessed by the office on Jan. 1, 2020, and the according tax rate proposed by the taxing authorities within each municipality.

A list of the proposed millage rates — or the tax rate determined by each city based on the assessed property value — can be seen here broken out by city.

Property owners who believe their assessment to be incorrect can file an Informal Assessment Review Form to dispute the assessed value. The deadline for filing the form is Sept. 18.

Since the values were assessed on Jan. 1 — nearly three months before the COVID-19 pandemic — assistance will be offered to property owners impacted by the economic shutdown.

“Property owners are encouraged to review their TRIM Notice to confirm they are receiving the benefits they are entitled to,” said Miami-Dade Property Appraiser Pedro J. Garcia. “My office is closely monitoring and analyzing the impact the COVID-19 crisis has had on our local real estate markets, especially commercial properties.

“Florida law, however, requires property appraisers to assess every property within their respective county based on the property and market conditions as of January 1st of each year. Nevertheless, I will do everything within my authority to assist property owners who are struggling during these unprecedented times. As the real estate market changes during 2020, my office will consider these factors and make the necessary corrections permitted by law.”

Property values grew in 2020

According to the 2020 taxable real estate value estimates released in June, Miami-Dade property values rose by 4.6%, from $307.2 billion in 2019 to $322.7 billion in 2020.

The actual values, released in July, rose 5.1%, from $316.3 billion in 2019 to $324.3 billion in 2020. Homeowners can check the assessed value of their property here.

The Property Appraiser will hold three outreach community meetings where property owners can also dispute their property values or exemption status. Due to COVID-19, masks will be required to attend.

The three meetings will be held at:

5 p.m. Aug. 27 at South Dade Government Center, 10710 SW 211th St., Second Floor, Cutler Bay, FL 33189

5 p.m. Sept. 2 at Milander Center, 4800 Palm Ave., Hialeah, FL 33012

5 p.m. Sept. 15 at Stephen P. Clark Government Center, 111 NW First St., Seventh Floor, Miami FL 33128

Property owners may also dispute their TRIM notices anytime from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at the South Dade Government Center or Stephen P. Clark Government Center.

Tax bills go out Nov. 1 and payment is due by March 31, 2021.

This story was originally published August 25, 2020 at 12:09 PM.

Rene Rodriguez
Miami Herald
Rene Rodriguez has worked at the Miami Herald in a variety of roles since 1989. He currently writes for the business desk covering real estate and the city’s affordability crisis.
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER