Washington County Property Tax Records
Washington County property tax records are public documents held by the Property Appraiser and Tax Collector offices in Chipley, covering all parcels in the county with assessment data, exemption status, ownership details, and tax payment history.
Washington County Quick Facts
Washington County Property Appraiser
The Washington County Property Appraiser mailing address is P.O. Box 1038, Chipley, FL 32428-1038. The phone is (850) 638-6275 and fax is (850) 638-6067. This office values all real and personal property in Washington County as of January 1 each year. That value is the starting point for calculating annual property taxes. The appraiser is elected, does not collect taxes, and does not set millage rates.
Washington County is a small, largely rural county in the Florida Panhandle. The property roll covers all parcel types in the county, including residential, agricultural, commercial, and timber properties. Each parcel is assigned a legal description, owner name, assessed value, just value, taxable value, and a record of any exemptions. Records are updated throughout the year as sales close, permits are issued, and ownership changes occur.
The office uses mass appraisal methods under Florida Department of Revenue standards. Values reflect comparable market sales and property characteristics. For questions about your assessment, to check on exemption status, or to get help reading your TRIM notice, contact the office directly at (850) 638-6275 or visit in person in Chipley.
All Florida counties follow the same assessment framework set out in Chapter 192, Florida Statutes. The Florida Department of Revenue Property Tax Oversight office monitors all county appraisers, including Washington County, for adherence to those standards.
The Florida DOR provides the state-level framework for property assessment and tax collection that applies uniformly to all 67 counties, including Washington.
Tax Collection in Washington County
The Washington County Tax Collector is at P.O. Box 1038, Chipley, FL 32428-1038. The phone is (850) 638-6275 and fax is (850) 638-6067. This office sends property tax bills and processes payments for all property owners in the county. The Tax Collector is an elected official operating independently from the Property Appraiser.
Property tax bills go out each November. They reflect the taxable value from the appraiser's certified roll, minus any exemptions, multiplied by the combined millage rates of the county commission, school board, and applicable special taxing districts.
Florida's early payment discount applies. Pay in November for 4% off the total. December earns 3%, January 2%, and February 1%. After March 31, taxes become delinquent. The collector holds a tax certificate sale in June under Chapter 197, Florida Statutes. Investors pay delinquent taxes and receive certificates that earn interest. Property owners who do not redeem those certificates within two years risk a tax deed action.
Contact the Tax Collector at (850) 638-6275 for payment methods, office hours, and any online payment options. Mail payments to P.O. Box 1038, Chipley, FL 32428-1038.
How to Search Washington County Property Tax Records
Contact the Washington County Property Appraiser's office at (850) 638-6275 or visit in person in Chipley for parcel search assistance. The office can look up any property by owner name, address, or parcel ID. Records include assessed and just values, land and building data, exemption status, and sales history. Access is free.
For tax bill status and payment history, the Tax Collector's office can provide current balances, payment records, and certificate information for any parcel. Call (850) 638-6275 for assistance, or check any available online lookup tools.
The Florida DOR maintains a statewide property data portal with bulk downloadable files. This is useful for broader research or investment analysis that goes beyond individual parcel records.
All property tax records in Washington County are public under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. No reason is required for access. No residency requirement applies. Personal data on exemption applications is protected, but all core assessment and tax data is open to anyone.
Exemptions Available in Washington County
Florida's property tax exemptions apply to qualifying Washington County properties. The homestead exemption is the most commonly used. It reduces assessed value by up to $50,000 on a primary residence. The first $25,000 applies to all taxing authorities. The second $25,000 covers assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000 and does not apply to school board taxes.
Homestead brings the Save Our Homes assessment cap. Annual assessed value increases are limited to 3% or the inflation rate, whichever is lower. This cap is set in Chapter 193, Florida Statutes. For long-term Washington County homeowners, the SOH cap keeps taxable value below just value over time, reducing the tax bill significantly.
Other exemptions in Washington County include those for low-income seniors over 65, disabled persons, veterans with service-connected disabilities, and widows and widowers. Each has different eligibility rules. All applications go to the Property Appraiser's office and must be filed by March 1 of the tax year. The governing statute for all Florida exemptions is Chapter 196, Florida Statutes.
Businesses with tangible personal property in Washington County can claim a $25,000 exemption by filing a TPP return with the appraiser by April 1 each year. This applies to all business equipment, fixtures, and machinery used in the county.
Appealing a Washington County Property Assessment
TRIM notices arrive each summer. They show the proposed assessed value and estimated taxes. If you think the value is too high, you have 25 days from the TRIM mailing date to file a petition with the Washington County Value Adjustment Board.
The VAB assigns a special magistrate to hear your case. You present evidence that the appraiser's value is wrong. Comparable sales from similar properties in the area are the most persuasive evidence. Photos, condition reports, and independent appraisals all add support to your case. The magistrate recommends an outcome. The board votes on it. All VAB proceedings follow Chapter 194, Florida Statutes.
If the VAB result does not go your way, circuit court is still available. Most disputes are resolved before that step. Pay at least the non-disputed portion of your tax bill while the appeal is pending to avoid separate penalties on the undisputed balance.
Payment Options in Washington County
Tax bills go out in November. Pay in November for 4% off. The discount drops by 1% each month through February. March 31 is the last day to pay without delinquency. After that date, interest and fees begin under Chapter 197.
Mail payments to P.O. Box 1038, Chipley, FL 32428-1038. In-person payment is available at the Tax Collector's office in Chipley during business hours. Call (850) 638-6275 for current hours and any available electronic payment options.
Florida's quarterly installment plan is available to Washington County property owners who prefer to spread their tax payments throughout the year. Enroll in the spring. Payments fall in June, September, December, and March. This is useful for anyone who finds the annual November bill difficult to budget for all at once.
The Florida Tax Collectors Association provides statewide information on the certificate sale and tax deed process for delinquent accounts. The process is the same across all 67 Florida counties, including Washington.
The Florida Tax Collectors Association provides resources on the statewide tax collection process, including delinquent tax procedures that apply to Washington County.
Public Records in Washington County
Under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, all Washington County property tax records are public. Assessment rolls, tax rolls, payment histories, and exemption records are open to anyone who asks. No reason is needed. For records not available online, or for certified copies, submit a request directly to the Property Appraiser or Tax Collector in Chipley. Large requests may carry a fee for staff time or copy costs, but the records themselves are public. The Florida DOR local officials directory has current contact details for all 67 county offices.
Cities in Washington County
Chipley is the county seat of Washington County and the main hub for county government. Other communities in Washington County include Wausau, Vernon, and Caryville. All parcels in these areas are assessed by the Washington County Property Appraiser in Chipley. No cities in Washington County currently meet the population threshold for a separate city page.