Search Bradford County Property Tax Records

Bradford County property tax records are kept by the Property Appraiser and Tax Collector in Starke, Florida. These records show assessed values, ownership information, exemption status, and tax payment data for every parcel in the county. Whether you own land in Bradford County or are researching a property before buying, this page covers how to find the records you need and what they contain.

Bradford County Property Appraiser

The Bradford County Property Appraiser operates out of P.O. Box 969, Starke, FL 32091. The phone number is (904) 966-6235 and the fax is (904) 964-9063. The Bradford County Property Appraiser's website is the main online access point for parcel records in the county. The appraiser is an elected official responsible for valuing all real and personal property in Bradford County as of January 1 each year.

Bradford County is a small, rural county. The tax roll includes residential properties in Starke and the surrounding communities, agricultural land, timber parcels, and commercial properties along the main corridors. The appraiser's office handles all of these property types and maintains a full record for each parcel. Records include the legal description, owner name, land characteristics, building data where applicable, total just value, assessed value, taxable value, and exemption detail.

The office uses mass appraisal techniques and reviews sales data from within the county and comparable markets. Florida Department of Revenue guidelines govern how the appraiser must approach valuation, and the state reviews each county's assessment ratio each year to make sure values are consistent with law. You can learn more about how this review works at the DOR Property Tax Oversight page.

Under Chapter 192, Florida Statutes, "just value" means the market value of the property, essentially what a willing buyer would pay a willing seller in an arm's-length transaction. Assessed value may be lower than just value due to exemptions and the Save Our Homes cap. Taxable value is what's left after all applicable exemptions are removed from the assessed value.

Property owners who have questions about their Bradford County assessment can call (904) 966-6235 or visit the office in Starke during regular business hours. If you believe your value is incorrect, the appraiser's staff can sometimes resolve the issue informally before the formal appeal deadline.

The appraiser's site is your first stop for property records, exemption applications, and contact information in Bradford County.

Note: Agricultural land in Bradford County often qualifies for classified-use assessment, which can reduce taxable value well below the property's market value. Apply with the appraiser by March 1.

Bradford County Tax Collector

Bradford County's Tax Collector is located at P.O. Box 969, Starke, FL 32091, the same address as the Property Appraiser. The phone is (904) 966-6235 and fax is (904) 964-9063. The tax collector sends out property tax bills each November after the appraiser certifies the final tax roll. The collector is responsible for receiving payments, applying discounts, and enforcing collections on delinquent accounts.

Bradford County property tax bills reflect the taxable value on each parcel multiplied by the applicable millage rates. Taxing authorities in Bradford County include the county commission, the school board, and any applicable special districts. The total millage on your bill is the combined rate from all of these entities. The tax collector sends funds to each taxing authority after collection, you pay one combined bill.

The early payment discount schedule applies to all Bradford County parcels. November payments earn 4% off, December 3%, January 2%, and February 1%. If taxes are not paid by March 31, the account becomes delinquent. Interest accrues and the collector eventually moves to a tax certificate sale under Chapter 197, Florida Statutes. Call the Bradford County Tax Collector at (904) 966-6235 to confirm current payment options, branch locations, and office hours.

For general information on the tax collection process in Florida, the Florida Tax Collectors Association maintains resources and a statewide directory.

Looking Up Bradford County Property Tax Records Online

The Bradford County Property Appraiser's website is where most parcel searches start. The site allows you to search by property address, owner name, or parcel ID number. Each result shows the full property record including current values, building characteristics, and sales history. The site is free to use and accessible to anyone at any time.

For tax bill and payment history, contact the Bradford County Tax Collector's office directly. Some smaller county offices may not have a separate online payment portal, so calling (904) 966-6235 or stopping in is the fastest way to confirm current payment status on a parcel.

The Florida Department of Revenue's Property Tax Data Portal is another resource for Bradford County data. It provides county-level summary files with assessment totals, exemption breakdowns, and tax roll data. This is the best tool for researchers who need aggregate Bradford County numbers rather than individual parcel details.

All Bradford County property tax records are public under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. If you want records that aren't available online, a written public records request to the Bradford County offices in Starke will get the process started. There's no requirement to give a reason for your request, and the office cannot deny access to records that are legally public.

Property Tax Exemptions for Bradford County Owners

Bradford County property owners can take advantage of the same statewide exemptions available across Florida. The homestead exemption is the most important. It reduces your home's assessed value by up to $50,000 if it is your primary residence. Apply with the Bradford County Property Appraiser by March 1. The application is a one-time filing, once approved, it renews automatically as long as your eligibility doesn't change.

The Save Our Homes cap works alongside homestead exemption to protect long-term residents. Once you have homestead status, assessed value increases are capped at 3% per year or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. This means a homeowner who has lived in the same Bradford County house for ten or twenty years may have an assessed value far below the property's market value. The cap resets when the property sells or when homestead status is lost. These protections come from Chapter 193 of Florida Statutes.

Other exemptions worth knowing about in Bradford County include those for veterans with service-connected disabilities, surviving spouses of military members or first responders, residents with total and permanent disabilities, and widows or widowers. Seniors with low income may qualify for an additional local exemption on top of the standard homestead amount. Ask the Property Appraiser's office whether Bradford County has adopted the senior exemption locally, not all counties have.

Business owners in Bradford County must file a tangible personal property return with the Property Appraiser by April 1 each year. Filing on time claims the $25,000 TPP exemption automatically. A late filing results in the exemption being denied. The full list of exemption types is in Chapter 196, Florida Statutes.

Note: When a homesteaded property sells in Bradford County, the new owner must apply for homestead in their own name. The previous owner's exemption does not transfer.

Appealing Your Bradford County Property Tax Assessment

If you get your TRIM notice in the summer and disagree with the proposed value, you have a right to appeal. The TRIM notice arrives around August and shows what the appraiser proposes to assess your Bradford County property for the current tax year. You have 25 days from that mailing to file a petition with the Bradford County Value Adjustment Board.

Filing a VAB petition doesn't cost much and doesn't require a lawyer. You present your case to a special magistrate who has no connection to the Property Appraiser's office. Bring solid evidence: sales data from nearby properties that sold for less than your assessed value, photos of any damage or condition issues, and any independent appraisal you've had done. The magistrate weighs your evidence against the appraiser's data and recommends a decision. The VAB then votes to accept or reject that recommendation.

If the VAB rules against you, a circuit court lawsuit is still an option, though that's rarely the right path for smaller properties. The VAB process under Chapter 194, Florida Statutes is designed to be accessible without an attorney. Pay the undisputed portion of your bill while the appeal is open to avoid penalties.

Bradford County Property Tax Payment and Delinquency

Bradford County tax bills go out in November and are due by March 31 to avoid delinquency. Early payment discounts apply, 4% off in November, 3% in December, 2% in January, and 1% in February. These discounts can add up to meaningful savings, especially on higher-value parcels.

If you miss the March 31 deadline, interest starts accruing on the unpaid balance. The Bradford County Tax Collector then proceeds with a tax certificate sale. At that sale, investors bid on delinquent tax accounts and pay the outstanding taxes in exchange for a certificate. The bidder who accepts the lowest interest rate wins the certificate. Property owners can redeem the certificate by paying the amount the investor paid plus interest, but if redemption doesn't happen within two years, the certificate holder may apply for a tax deed, a process that can lead to the forced sale of the property.

In-person payments at the Bradford County Tax Collector office in Starke are the most straightforward option. Call (904) 966-6235 to confirm available payment methods and any branch hours. Keep your payment receipt for your records, it proves your taxes are current and protects you from errors in the payment record.

Cities in Bradford County

Starke is the county seat and the largest community in Bradford County. Other communities in the county include Hampton, Lawtey, and Brooker. None currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All Bradford County property, in any incorporated town or unincorporated area, is assessed and taxed through the same county offices in Starke. Residents of any Bradford County community use the same Property Appraiser and Tax Collector contacts described on this page.

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