Manatee County Property Tax Records

Manatee County property tax records are public documents maintained by the Property Appraiser and Tax Collector offices in Bradenton, Florida. These records cover every parcel in this fast-growing Gulf Coast county and include assessed values, ownership data, exemption status, and tax bill history. Whether you own property here, plan to buy, or need to research a parcel, this guide covers how to access and use those records.

Manatee County Property Appraiser

The Manatee County Property Appraiser is located at 819 301 Blvd. West, Bradenton, FL 34205. Phone is (941) 748-8208 and fax is (941) 741-3584. This office values all real and personal property in Manatee County as of January 1 each year. That assessed value drives the annual tax bill for each parcel. The appraiser does not set tax rates and does not collect taxes, those are handled by local government bodies and the tax collector.

Manatee County has seen substantial population and real estate growth in recent years. The county's property roll has expanded significantly as new residential developments, commercial projects, and mixed-use properties have come online. The appraiser must value all of these using mass appraisal methods consistent with Florida Department of Revenue guidelines. For high-growth areas like those near Lakewood Ranch, one of the best-selling master-planned communities in the country, keeping values current is an ongoing challenge.

The Manatee County Property Appraiser website provides a full online parcel search tool. You can search by owner name, parcel ID, or address. Results show assessed value, taxable value, exemption status, sales history, and GIS maps with aerial imagery. The site is updated regularly as new assessments and sales are processed.

The appraiser's search tool returns current and prior-year values, exemption detail, and ownership history for any Manatee County parcel.

The Florida Department of Revenue oversees all county appraisers through its Property Tax Oversight program. Visit the DOR Property Tax Oversight page for statewide guidance. The legal standard for assessment, just value, is defined in Chapter 193, Florida Statutes.

Tax Bills and the Manatee County Tax Collector

The Manatee County Tax Collector is located at 819 301 Blvd. West, Bradenton, FL 34205, and can be reached at (941) 741-4800. This office handles billing, payment, and enforcement for all property taxes in the county. Tax bills go out each November and reflect the taxable value on each parcel multiplied by combined millage rates from all local taxing authorities, including the county commission, the school board, and various special districts.

Manatee County has multiple special taxing districts. Properties in certain communities or service areas may have additional levies for things like fire, water, or community development. The total millage on your bill is the sum of all applicable rates. Your tax bill will list each taxing authority separately so you can see how much each one charges.

Early payment discounts reduce what you owe. Pay in November for 4% off, December for 3%, January for 2%, and February for 1%. Taxes become delinquent after March 31. At that point, the collector holds a tax certificate sale in June. The process is governed by Chapter 197, Florida Statutes. Unpaid certificates can eventually lead to a tax deed application and forced sale.

The tax collector's office maintains several service locations in Manatee County. You can pay online, by mail, or in person. The Florida Tax Collectors Association keeps an updated directory of all county collector offices if you need to verify current hours and locations.

Homestead Exemption and Save Our Homes

The homestead exemption is one of Florida's most valuable property tax benefits. Manatee County homeowners who use their property as a primary residence can reduce their assessed value by up to $50,000. The first $25,000 applies to all taxing authorities. The second $25,000 applies to non-school levies only. The deadline to file is March 1. Applications go to the Property Appraiser at 819 301 Blvd. West.

Homestead also activates Save Our Homes (SOH). Once you have homestead, your home's assessed value cannot increase by more than 3% per year or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. Given the strong appreciation in Manatee County real estate over recent years, SOH has been particularly valuable for longtime residents. Your taxable value stays far below market value as long as you maintain homestead. The cap resets when you sell or change the property's use.

Other exemptions available in Manatee County include the senior exemption for qualifying low-income homeowners age 65 and older, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions for service-connected disability. All exemptions are governed by Chapter 196, Florida Statutes. Download application forms from the DOR forms page or pick them up at the appraiser's Bradenton office.

Accessing Manatee County Property Records

Manatee County property tax records are public under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. Anyone can view assessment data, ownership history, and tax payment status at no charge. No reason is required to request or view these records.

Online access through the appraiser's portal at manateepao.com is the fastest option for single-parcel searches. For bulk data on multiple parcels or county-wide downloads, the Florida Department of Revenue data portal at floridarevenue.com/property/Pages/DataPortal.aspx provides regularly updated county-wide data files. This is useful for real estate professionals, researchers, and investors who need large data sets.

Bulk data files are updated each year and cover all 67 Florida counties, including Manatee.

In-person requests are handled at the appraiser's Bradenton office. Staff can search records by parcel ID, address, or owner name. For formal public records requests, contact the office in writing. Certified copies of records may carry a small fee.

TRIM Notices and Value Disputes

Manatee County property owners receive Truth in Millage (TRIM) notices each August. The notice shows your proposed assessed value, any exemptions applied, and the proposed millage rates from each taxing authority. It also shows when public hearings are scheduled so you can attend and speak before rates are finalized. The TRIM notice is a preview, the actual tax bill comes in November.

If you think your assessed value is too high, you have options. You can call the appraiser's office at (941) 748-8208 to request an informal review. Many disputes get resolved at this stage. If the informal review doesn't resolve the issue, you have 25 days from the TRIM mailing date to file a petition with the Value Adjustment Board. The Manatee County VAB hears appeals of assessments, exemption denials, and classification decisions. Filing fees are typically $15 per parcel.

The VAB process is governed by Chapter 194, Florida Statutes. After the hearing, the board issues a decision. If you still disagree, you can appeal to circuit court. The DOR property tax FAQ has a plain-language explanation of how this process works at each stage.

Tangible Personal Property in Manatee County

Businesses and rental property owners in Manatee County must file a tangible personal property (TPP) return with the Property Appraiser each year by April 1. The return covers business equipment, machinery, furniture, and other movable assets used in the business or rental property. The appraiser uses the return to assign a taxable value, which is then taxed at the same millage rates as real property.

There is a $25,000 exemption per business location. If your total TPP assessed value is $25,000 or less, you owe no taxes on it, but you still must file the return to claim the exemption. Failing to file results in a 15% penalty on the assessed value. A late filing after the appraiser issues an assessment notice brings an additional 25% penalty. New businesses are often surprised by this requirement.

The appraiser mails TPP return forms to registered businesses each January. If you do not receive one, download the form from the DOR forms library or contact the appraiser's office. The April 1 deadline does not move. Extensions are not available under Florida law.

Additional Resources for Manatee County Property Owners

The Property Appraisers Association of Florida represents county appraisers statewide and tracks legislative changes that affect assessment law. Their directory lists all 67 county appraiser offices with contact details. For general guidance on how Florida property taxes work, the DOR property tax FAQ is a solid starting point covering everything from how values are set to how to appeal a decision.

The DOR ensures Manatee County follows the same assessment and valuation standards applied across all Florida counties.

Manatee County's rapid growth means property values and tax data can change quickly. For the most current parcel information, always use the appraiser's online portal or contact the office directly. Data shown on third-party sites may be outdated.

Nearby Counties

Manatee County borders several other Southwest and Central Florida counties. Each has its own property appraiser and tax records system.