Find Property Tax Records in Town N Country
Town N Country property tax records are maintained by Hillsborough County offices in Tampa. As an unincorporated community in western Hillsborough County, Town N Country does not have its own city government or tax office. All property assessments, tax bills, and payment processing run through the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser and the Hillsborough County Tax Collector. This guide explains how to access those records, what exemptions are available, how to appeal a value, and where to pay your bill.
Town N Country Quick Facts
Hillsborough County Tax Administration for Town N Country
Town N Country is an unincorporated area. That means it is governed at the county level, not by a city. There are no city tax offices and no city millage rates specific to Town N Country. Instead, all property tax work is handled by Hillsborough County offices in Tampa. The Hillsborough County Property Appraiser sets assessed values for every parcel in Town N Country. The Hillsborough County Tax Collector bills and collects those taxes.
Being unincorporated has a practical effect on your tax bill. Town N Country properties do not pay a city millage rate because there is no city. The bill will show county millage, school board millage, and any applicable special district rates, but no city rate. That can make the total tax burden somewhat lower than for comparable properties inside Tampa's city limits, though the difference depends on which special districts apply to a given parcel.
Florida law sets January 1 as the assessment date. Values are locked in as of that date each year, regardless of what happens after. This rule is uniform across all Florida counties under Chapter 192, Florida Statutes. The Hillsborough County Property Appraiser uses mass appraisal methods to value Town N Country parcels based on comparable sales and property data.
For questions about Town N Country property taxes, contact the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser at (813) 272-6100. The office is at County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 16th Floor, Tampa, FL 33602. Full county details are on the Hillsborough County property tax records page.
Hillsborough County Property Appraiser
The Hillsborough County Property Appraiser is at County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 16th Floor, Tampa, FL 33602. Phone: (813) 272-6100. Website: www.hcpafl.org. This office assesses all real and personal property in Town N Country and across Hillsborough County as of January 1. The appraiser does not collect taxes and does not set millage rates. It values property and maintains the official property roll.
The property roll for Town N Country parcels includes the owner of record, legal description, just value, assessed value, taxable value, and any exemptions on file. Data is updated throughout the year as deeds are recorded and permits are pulled. The HCPA online search tool lets you look up any Town N Country parcel by address, owner name, or parcel ID number at no charge.
The search results show detailed parcel data including current and prior-year values, building details, land data, and sales history. All of this is public under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. No login or ID is required to use the public search.
The Florida Department of Revenue reviews county appraisers to make sure values meet state standards. You can learn more at the DOR Property Tax Oversight page.
The Florida Department of Revenue Property Tax Oversight page explains the rules that govern Hillsborough County assessments.
The DOR site outlines oversight standards that apply to all Town N Country property assessments.
Hillsborough County Tax Collector
The Hillsborough County Tax Collector handles billing and payment for Town N Country properties. Mailing address: P.O. Box 30009, Tampa, FL 33630-3009. Phone: (813) 635-5200. Tax bills go out in November and are based on the taxable values certified by the appraiser. The collector accepts online payments, mail-in checks, and in-person payment at offices across the county.
The bill for a Town N Country property shows millage rates from Hillsborough County, the school board, and any special districts. No city millage rate appears because Town N Country is unincorporated. Payment discounts apply for early payment: 4% in November, 3% in December, 2% in January, 1% in February. After March 31, the bill becomes delinquent and interest starts to accrue.
The collector's online system lets you look up current balances, view prior bills, and pay without a trip to an office. Online payment is available by credit card or e-check. The collector also runs a branch network throughout Hillsborough County for those who prefer to pay in person.
How to Search Town N Country Property Tax Records
Go to hcpafl.org to start a search. The Hillsborough County Property Appraiser's online tool lets you search by property address, owner name, or parcel identification number. Results show the current just value, the assessed value, any Save Our Homes cap in place, the taxable value, and a full breakdown of exemptions. Sales history and property characteristics are also shown.
For billing data, use the Hillsborough County Tax Collector's online portal. Enter the parcel ID or address to get current balance, payment status, and bill history. Using both sites together gives a full record of any Town N Country parcel.
All of this data is public under Chapter 119. You do not need to show ID or give a reason to access it. If you need records not available online, you can submit a written public records request to the Property Appraiser's office. Response is required within a reasonable time. Copies may carry a fee, but viewing records is free.
Florida Statutes Chapter 192 is the governing law for property assessment across Hillsborough County.
Chapter 192 sets the just value standard that applies to every Town N Country parcel.
Property Tax Exemptions for Town N Country
Florida law makes several exemptions available to Town N Country property owners. The homestead exemption is the most common. If a Town N Country home is your primary residence, you can get up to $50,000 off your assessed value. The first $25,000 reduces taxes from all taxing authorities. The second $25,000 covers value between $50,000 and $75,000 and does not apply to school board taxes.
Homestead also triggers the Save Our Homes cap. Once granted, annual increases in your assessed value are capped at 3% or the inflation rate, whichever is lower. This cap is set by Chapter 193, Florida Statutes. The cap can produce large savings over time if just values rise faster than the cap allows.
Other exemptions available in Hillsborough County include the senior exemption for low-income residents over 65, disability exemptions, veteran exemptions, and the surviving spouse exemption. Each has its own criteria. Applications go to the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser. The deadline for most exemptions is March 1. Full details are in Chapter 196, Florida Statutes.
Business owners in Town N Country who have tangible personal property should file a TPP return with the appraiser by April 1. The first $25,000 of value is exempt, and filing on time avoids a penalty.
Appealing Your Town N Country Assessment
If you believe your property is valued too high, Florida gives you a formal way to challenge it. The Property Appraiser sends TRIM notices each summer. The TRIM notice shows your proposed assessed value and your estimated tax bill. You have 25 days from the mailing date to file a petition with the Hillsborough County Value Adjustment Board.
The VAB process is set out in Chapter 194, Florida Statutes. After you file, you get a hearing before a special magistrate. You present evidence that the value is wrong. The best evidence includes recent sales of similar properties nearby, photos showing damage or condition problems, and an independent appraisal if you have one. The appraiser presents its evidence too. The magistrate recommends a value, and the VAB votes.
Filing a petition does not require a lawyer. The fee is modest. If the VAB result still seems wrong, you can file a circuit court action, though that step involves greater cost and time. Many Town N Country homeowners resolve disputes at the VAB level without going further. While your appeal is pending, pay at least the undisputed portion of your bill to avoid late penalties.
Delinquent Taxes and the Certificate Sale
Town N Country property taxes unpaid after March 31 become delinquent. The Hillsborough County Tax Collector then moves toward a tax certificate sale, held in June. At that sale, investors bid on the right to pay the delinquent taxes in exchange for a certificate that earns interest. Competitive bidding can push the interest rate down from the 18% maximum.
If the certificate goes unredeemed for two years, the holder can apply for a tax deed sale. This can end with the property being sold at public auction. That outcome is governed by Chapter 197, Florida Statutes. The tax deed process creates public records that show up in title searches and affect future ownership. If you are behind on taxes, contact the tax collector before March 31 to learn your options.