Columbia county tax collector
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You may call us at 386-758-1077 or you can send us a message.
Columbia County Tax Collector’s Office
WELCOME TO COLUMBIA COUNTY
New Homeowners
A practical guide to your property tax account, closing documents, mortgage escrow and exemption questions.
After closing: your first checks
Locate the account
Find the property using the parcel number, owner name or address. Keep the parcel number with your closing records.
Review the settlement statement
Look for property tax charges and credits. Ask the closing agent what was prorated and whether an actual tax payment was made.
Confirm who will pay
If you have mortgage escrow, ask the servicer whether it will pay the annual tax bill. Check the account to verify payment posts.
Check mailing information
Confirm the permanent mailing address with the Property Appraiser, even if your property address has not changed.
Your first bill & mortgage escrow
Use the sample property tax bill and payment guide to find your parcel details, see how charges are listed, and identify the amount to pay.
A closing credit is not proof of payment
Buyer and seller prorations are handled through the closing process. Review the settlement statement and ask your closing agent how the annual bill is being paid.
Confirm the deed was recorded
Ask your closing agent for the recorded deed or its instrument number. You can look it up in the Columbia County Clerk’s Official Records. The Clerk records the deed; the Property Appraiser updates ownership on the tax roll.
The account may still show a prior owner
Ownership updates can take time to appear on the tax roll. If the bill shows the former owner, identify the property by parcel number and contact the office for help confirming the account and balance.
Coordinate with your mortgage servicer
Confirm whether property taxes are included in your escrow arrangement. Before making a separate payment, check with the servicer to avoid paying the same bill twice. Recheck after a refinance or servicing transfer.
Know which notice you received
The Property Appraiser’s Truth in Millage (TRIM) notice shows proposed taxes and is not a bill. The Tax Collector typically mails the annual bill around November 1. Check your account before March 31; unpaid regular taxes generally become delinquent April 1.
Understand what is on your bill
Ad valorem taxes are based on taxable property value and the rates set by local taxing authorities. Your bill may also include non-ad valorem assessments for services or improvements, such as drainage or paving. For questions about a specific assessment, contact the authority that levied it, as listed on your notice.
If no bill arrives
Look up the account or contact the Tax Department. A missing tax notice does not remove the payment responsibility or extend the deadline.
Exemptions & planning for future taxes
Apply for your own homestead exemption
The seller’s exemption does not become your exemption. If the home is your permanent residence, ask the Property Appraiser about eligibility, the January 1 requirements and the March 1 application deadline.
The Property Appraiser determines eligibility and handles exemption applications. Call 386-758-1083 for current requirements and documents.
Ask about portability
If you previously had a Florida homestead, you may qualify to transfer some or all of your Save Our Homes assessment difference. This is called portability. Ask the Property Appraiser about filing Form DR-501T along with your homestead application. If your previous homestead was in another Florida county, Columbia’s Property Appraiser will send the form to that county for verification.
The seller’s tax bill may not predict yours
A change of ownership can cause a homestead property’s assessed value to reset to just value on the following January 1. The prior owner’s exemptions and assessment limitation can make the existing bill lower than your future bill.
Ask the Property Appraiser for guidance before using a prior-year tax bill to plan your household budget or mortgage escrow.
Estimate and learn more
The local estimator provides an approximation and has limitations. It does not account for every exemption or property circumstance.
Common questions & the right contacts
Who can explain a tax proration on my closing statement?
Start with your closing agent, title company or attorney. The Tax Collector can confirm the tax account’s balance and payment record.
Who handles values, exemptions and ownership records?
The Property Appraiser handles assessed values, exemptions and ownership information on the tax roll. The Tax Collector handles billing and tax payments.
Does filing for homestead pay my property tax bill?
No. Exemption applications and tax payments are separate. Confirm your exemption status with the Property Appraiser and your payment status with the Tax Collector or mortgage servicer.
What if the home will be rented or used as a second home?
Tell the Property Appraiser how you will use the property and ask which exemptions or classifications apply. Eligibility depends on the actual ownership and use of the property.
What if I receive a delinquent notice after buying the home?
Contact the Tax Department promptly with the parcel number and notice. Ask for the outstanding tax years and current amount. Ask your closing agent about any payment or proration represented at closing.
Information reviewed November 8, 2026. Confirm account details and exemption eligibility with the responsible office.
Services
Kids Tag Art
Kids Tag Art is a fundraising project that inspires elementary grade art students and raises money for the school's art program. A special thanks goes out to our Platinum Sponsor- Nutrien and our Gold Sponsors- Edward Jones, Baya Pharmacy, Walmart Transportation, First Federal Bank, & LKQ!
