Find Marion County Property Tax Records

Marion County property tax records are public documents maintained by the Property Appraiser and Tax Collector offices in Ocala, Florida. Records cover all parcels in this Central Florida county and include assessed values, ownership data, exemption status, and tax billing history. Whether you own property here or are researching a parcel for any purpose, this page explains how to access those records and what each county office does.

Marion County Property Appraiser

The Marion County Property Appraiser is Jimmy H. Cowan Jr., CFA. The office is at 501 SE 25th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471. The mailing address is P.O. Box 486, Ocala, FL 34478. Phone is (352) 368-8300 and fax is (352) 368-8336. You can also reach the office by email at mcpa@pa.marion.fl.us. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This office values all real and personal property in Marion County as of January 1 each year. Marion County is one of Florida's larger counties by land area, with a diverse mix of property types, horse farms and equestrian estates in the Ocala National Forest area, suburban residential neighborhoods, rural agricultural land, and commercial properties in and around Ocala. The appraiser uses mass appraisal methods consistent with Florida Department of Revenue standards. Values reflect market sales and property characteristics for comparable properties in each area.

The Marion County Property Appraiser website provides full online parcel search. You can search by owner name, parcel ID, or address. Results show assessed value, taxable value, exemption status, and sales history going back several years. GIS tools and aerial imagery are also available on the site.

The parcel search on the appraiser's site returns ownership, value, exemption, and sales data for all Marion County properties.

The Florida Department of Revenue oversees all 67 county appraisers. Visit the DOR Property Tax Oversight page for guidance on how assessment standards are set and enforced. Chapter 193, Florida Statutes is the primary law governing how property must be assessed in Florida.

Horse Farms and Agricultural Classification

Marion County is widely known as the Horse Capital of the World. The area around Ocala and Williston has one of the highest concentrations of thoroughbred horse farms in the United States. These operations are agricultural businesses, and many qualify for agricultural classification under Florida law. Agricultural classification allows the land to be assessed based on its agricultural use value rather than market value, a distinction that can represent tens of thousands of dollars in tax savings on a large farm.

To get agricultural classification, you must apply with the Marion County Property Appraiser by March 1. The appraiser evaluates whether the land is used in good faith for commercial agricultural purposes. For equestrian operations, that typically means breeding, training, or boarding horses for profit. Personal use horse properties may not qualify. The appraiser may ask for income records, business licenses, or other documentation to establish that the operation is genuinely commercial.

Timber and row crop operations in the county also qualify for agricultural classification under similar criteria. Once approved, the classification stays in place as long as the agricultural use continues. Changing the use or selling the property can trigger rollback taxes for up to three prior years. If your application is denied, you can appeal to the Value Adjustment Board under Chapter 194, Florida Statutes.

Tax Collection in Marion County

The Marion County Tax Collector's mailing address is P.O. Box 1178, Ocala, FL 34478. Phone is (352) 368-8200 and fax is (352) 368-8111. This office handles billing, payment, and enforcement for all Marion County property taxes. Tax bills go out each November and reflect the taxable value on each parcel multiplied by the combined millage rates from all applicable taxing authorities, including the county commission, the school board, and various special districts.

Florida's early-payment discount schedule applies. Pay in November for 4% off, December for 3%, January for 2%, and February for 1%. After March 31, taxes become delinquent. The collector holds a tax certificate sale in June. Bidders cover the unpaid taxes and earn interest until the certificate is redeemed or a tax deed is applied for. That process is governed by Chapter 197, Florida Statutes.

Marion County has several tax collector service locations in and around Ocala. You can pay online, by mail, or in person. The Florida Tax Collectors Association maintains a current directory of all county collector offices and contact details. For questions about your specific tax bill, the collector's office at (352) 368-8200 is the direct contact.

Homestead Exemption and SOH Cap

Marion County homeowners who use their property as a primary residence can apply for the homestead exemption. The exemption is worth up to $50,000 in assessed value reduction. The first $25,000 applies to all taxing authorities. The second $25,000 applies to non-school levies only. You must file by March 1 at the appraiser's office on SE 25th Avenue or by mail to the P.O. Box in Ocala.

Homestead triggers Save Our Homes, which caps annual increases in assessed value at 3% or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. Marion County has seen strong real estate growth, particularly in the retirement communities on the north and west sides of Ocala. SOH caps can create a wide gap between market value and assessed value for longtime homeowners in those areas. That gap resets when the property is sold or homestead is removed.

Portability allows you to transfer your SOH benefit to a new Florida homestead when you move. The appraiser's office handles portability applications. You have up to three years from January 1 of the year you abandon your old homestead to apply. All exemptions and portability are governed by Chapter 196, Florida Statutes. Forms are at the DOR forms page.

Public Access to Marion County Property Records

Marion County property tax records are open to the public under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. Assessment data, ownership information, and tax payment history are available to anyone at no charge. You do not need to give a reason for accessing these records.

Online access through the appraiser's site at pa.marion.fl.us is the fastest option for individual parcel lookups. For bulk data on multiple parcels or county-wide downloads, the Florida DOR data portal at floridarevenue.com/property/Pages/DataPortal.aspx provides downloadable data files for Marion County. These files are updated each year and are free to download.

Bulk data from the DOR portal is useful for researchers, appraisers, and real estate professionals who need county-wide Marion County data.

In-person requests can be made at the appraiser's office on SE 25th Avenue, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For formal public records requests, contact the office in writing. Staff can search records by parcel ID, address, or owner name. Certified copies may carry a small fee.

TRIM Notices and Assessment Appeals

Marion 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 local taxing authority. It also shows public hearing dates. The TRIM notice is a preview of your November bill, not the bill itself.

If your assessed value seems wrong, start by calling the appraiser's office at (352) 368-8300 for an informal review. Many issues are resolved at this stage without a formal petition. If the informal review does not resolve the dispute, you have 25 days from the TRIM notice mailing date to file a petition with the Value Adjustment Board. The Marion County VAB hears appeals on assessments, exemption denials, and classification decisions. Filing fees are typically $15 per parcel.

The VAB hearing is a structured process where you present evidence and the appraiser defends the assessed value. The board then issues a ruling. If you are still unsatisfied, you can appeal to circuit court. The full framework for this process is in Chapter 194. The DOR FAQ page provides plain-language guidance on each step of the appeals process.

Additional Marion County Property Tax Resources

The Property Appraisers Association of Florida represents all 67 county appraisers and tracks changes in assessment law. Their directory can help you verify current contact information for the Marion County appraiser. The association also provides resources for property owners trying to understand the assessment process.

DOR oversight ensures Marion County assessments are consistent with the standards applied across all Florida counties.

Marion County's mix of equestrian, agricultural, residential, and commercial properties makes it one of the more complex assessment environments in Florida. The appraiser's office handles that complexity within the same legal framework that applies statewide. For any specific question about a Marion County parcel, the appraiser's office in Ocala is the authoritative source.

Nearby Counties

Marion County borders six other Central Florida counties. Each has its own property appraiser and tax records system.