Melbourne Property Tax Records

Melbourne property tax records are public documents managed by Brevard County offices in Titusville. The Brevard County Property Appraiser sets assessed values for every parcel in Melbourne, and the Brevard County Tax Collector handles billing and payment. As the second largest city in Brevard County, Melbourne has a wide range of residential and commercial properties, all subject to the same county-level process. This page covers how to find records, what exemptions apply, how to appeal, and where to pay.

Brevard County Tax Administration for Melbourne

Melbourne sits within Brevard County, so all property tax work runs through Brevard County offices. There is no separate Melbourne tax office. The Brevard County Property Appraiser, based in Titusville, handles all assessments for Melbourne parcels. The Brevard County Tax Collector collects the bills. Both offices serve every city in Brevard County using the same rules and the same system.

Florida law sets January 1 as the assessment date each year. Values are set as of that date regardless of any changes after it. This rule applies uniformly across the state under Chapter 192, Florida Statutes. The Brevard County Property Appraiser uses mass appraisal methods based on comparable sales, building characteristics, and land data to set values for every parcel in Melbourne.

Melbourne has a mix of property types. You will find older neighborhoods near downtown, newer developments, waterfront lots along the Indian River Lagoon, and commercial corridors. Values vary across these areas. The appraiser tracks them all using the same standards required by the Florida Department of Revenue.

For Melbourne property tax questions, contact the Brevard County Property Appraiser at (321) 264-6700. The main office is at 400 South Street, 6th Floor, Titusville, FL 32780. You can also read more on the Brevard County property tax records page.

Brevard County Property Appraiser

The Brevard County Property Appraiser is located at 400 South Street, 6th Floor, Titusville, FL 32780. Phone: (321) 264-6700. Website: www.bcpao.us. This office values all real and personal property in Melbourne and the rest of Brevard County as of January 1 each year. The appraiser does not collect taxes or set millage rates. It only sets values and maintains the county property roll.

The property roll for Melbourne includes every parcel with its legal description, owner of record, just value, assessed value, taxable value, and any applied exemptions. The appraiser updates records through the year as deeds are filed, permits are issued, and ownership changes. The online search tool at bcpao.us lets you look up any Melbourne parcel by owner name, address, or parcel ID. The search is free and open to anyone.

When you pull up a Melbourne parcel on the BCPAO site, you will see the current just value, the capped assessed value if homestead applies, land size, building data, and sales history. These records are public under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. You do not need an account or ID to search.

Chapter 192 sets the legal standard for just value and the assessment process statewide, including all Melbourne properties.

The Florida Department of Revenue monitors county appraisers and can review assessments if a county falls out of compliance. The DOR Property Tax Oversight page explains the oversight process.

Brevard County Tax Collector

The Brevard County Tax Collector handles billing, payment, and enforcement for Melbourne property taxes. The main office is at 400 South Street, Titusville, FL 32780. Phone: (321) 264-6935. Website: www.brevardtaxcollector.com. The collector sends tax bills in November each year based on taxable values provided by the appraiser.

Bills reflect the taxable value of the parcel multiplied by millage rates set by multiple taxing authorities. For Melbourne properties, those authorities include Brevard County, the school board, the City of Melbourne itself, and any applicable special districts. Each authority sets its own millage rate and the totals are combined on a single bill.

Florida offers early payment discounts. Pay in November and you save 4%. December earns 3%, January 2%, and February 1%. After March 31, taxes become delinquent and additional penalties apply. The tax collector's site lets you pay online, look up account balances, and review payment history for any Melbourne parcel.

How to Search Melbourne Property Tax Records

Start your search on the Brevard County Property Appraiser website at bcpao.us. The search tool accepts a property address, owner name, or parcel identification number. Results show the current assessed value, just value, taxable value, and exemption detail. Sales history going back several years is also displayed. The search is free with no login required.

If you need tax bill information, current balance, whether past bills were paid, or a payment receipt, use the Brevard County Tax Collector's online system at brevardtaxcollector.com. Enter the parcel ID or address to pull up billing history. The two systems together give a complete picture of any Melbourne parcel.

Florida's public records law, Chapter 119, makes all of this data open. No ID is needed. No reason is required. Most records are available online at no cost. Printed or certified copies requested in person may carry a small fee.

For bulk data or older records not available online, you can submit a written public records request to the Property Appraiser's office. The office must respond in a reasonable time and can charge for the cost of producing large data sets, but cannot deny access to public records without legal grounds.

Property Tax Exemptions for Melbourne Residents

Florida offers several exemptions that apply to Melbourne parcels. The biggest is the homestead exemption. If your Melbourne home is your primary residence, you can get up to $50,000 off your assessed value. The first $25,000 reduces taxes for all taxing authorities. The second $25,000 applies to assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000 and does not apply to school taxes.

Homestead also activates the Save Our Homes cap. After homestead is granted, annual increases in assessed value are limited to 3% or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. Over several years, this cap can create a large gap between a property's just value and its assessed value, which significantly cuts the tax bill. The cap is set out in Chapter 193, Florida Statutes.

Other exemptions available to Melbourne homeowners include those for seniors with low income, veterans with service-connected disabilities, total and permanent disability, and surviving spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty. Each exemption has its own eligibility rules. Applications must be filed with the Brevard County Property Appraiser by March 1. Under Chapter 196, Florida Statutes, most exemptions are lost if the March 1 deadline is missed.

Business owners in Melbourne who have tangible personal property used in their business should file a TPP return with the appraiser by April 1. The first $25,000 of tangible personal property value is exempt. Filing the return on time also avoids a penalty for failure to file.

Appealing a Melbourne Property Assessment

If you think your Melbourne property is valued too high, you have the right to appeal. Each summer the appraiser sends a TRIM notice that shows the proposed assessed value and the estimated tax. You have 25 days from the date on that notice to file a petition with the Brevard County Value Adjustment Board.

The VAB process is governed by Chapter 194, Florida Statutes. After you file, you get a hearing before a special magistrate. You present your evidence and the appraiser presents theirs. The magistrate makes a recommendation, and the board votes. Good evidence to bring includes recent comparable sales, photos of any damage or condition issues, and if available, an independent appraisal.

You do not need a lawyer to file a VAB petition. The filing fee is modest. Many Melbourne homeowners handle these appeals themselves, especially for residential properties. If the VAB ruling still does not go your way, you can file suit in Brevard County Circuit Court, though that step is less common and involves more cost.

Note: While an appeal is pending, you must still pay at least the non-disputed portion of your tax bill. Failure to pay on time can add penalties even if you are in the appeal process.

Tax Delinquency and the Certificate Sale Process

Brevard County property taxes that are not paid by March 31 become delinquent. The tax collector adds penalties and interest at that point. In June, the collector holds a tax certificate sale. Investors bid on the right to pay delinquent taxes in exchange for a certificate that earns interest. The interest rate can be as low as 0.25% or as high as 18%, depending on bidding.

If a Melbourne property owner does not redeem the certificate within two years by paying the back taxes plus interest, the certificate holder can apply for a tax deed. This is a legal process that can end in the forced sale of the property. It is a serious consequence and affects the public record for that parcel. The certificate and deed sale process is governed by Chapter 197, Florida Statutes.

Property owners who expect trouble paying should contact the Brevard County Tax Collector early. The collector can explain payment plan options that may be available under certain hardship conditions. Waiting until after delinquency means paying more in penalties and interest.

The DOR site explains how the tax certificate process works for delinquent Melbourne property taxes.

Public Records Access for Melbourne Properties

Florida's public records law gives anyone the right to access Melbourne property tax records. Under Chapter 119, you do not need to be a resident of Florida, and you do not need to give a reason. The records are open. Assessment data, tax bills, payment history, exemption status, and ownership records are all public.

The easiest way to get records is through the online portals at bcpao.us and brevardtaxcollector.com. These are free and updated regularly. For records not online, submit a written request to the Brevard County Property Appraiser's office. Some personal data such as Social Security numbers on exemption applications is confidential, but core property records are fully open. There is no fee to view records online.

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