Columbia county tax collector
How can we help you today?
Find services, prepare for your visit, and save time online.
The Columbia County Tax Collector’s office is committed to ensuring accessibility to this website regardless of disability. If you encounter a feature on our website that you cannot access due to disability please contact us.
You may call us at 386-758-1077 or you can send us a message.
Columbia County Tax Collector’s Office
PUBLIC INFORMATION
Budget & Expenditures
Review the Tax Collector’s approved budget and learn how to read the financial documents.
Budget documents
Choose the fiscal year you want to review. Each link opens the published budget document.
FEATURED DOCUMENT
Fiscal year 2026–2027
Approved budget linked from the office’s published Budget & Expenditures page.
View 2026–2027 approved budget (PDF)This document is a scanned PDF. If you need assistance accessing the information, contact the office.
Prior fiscal year
2025–2026 approved budget (PDF) →
Historical documents apply to the fiscal year shown. For amendments, expenditure records or an earlier year, use the records information below.
Understand the figures
Check the fiscal year, column heading and reporting date before comparing amounts. A budget authorization and an expenditure report answer different questions.
| Term | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Requested budget | The spending plan submitted for review. Use the approved column when looking for the authorized amount. |
| Approved budget | The authorized spending plan for the fiscal year, subject to any approved amendments. |
| Actual expenditures | Spending recorded for the period shown. A year-to-date figure covers only the stated reporting period. |
| Amendment or transfer | A change to the approved plan. Check the date and affected categories when reviewing revised totals. |
| Personnel services | Employee compensation and related costs, such as payroll taxes, retirement and insurance. |
| Operating expenses | Costs of running the office, such as services, supplies, postage and technology. |
| Capital outlay | Budgeted purchases of capital assets, as classified in the document. |
Make a fair comparison
- Compare the same fiscal years and categories.
- Use approved-to-approved or actual-to-actual figures consistently.
- Check whether a report includes amendments or covers only part of a year.
- Read the supporting schedules before drawing conclusions from a total.
How the office is funded
The Tax Collector operates as a fee office, earning fees and commissions established by the Florida Legislature for services performed. The annual office budget is reviewed and approved by the Florida Department of Revenue.
Remaining excess fees are distributed to the appropriate agencies at fiscal year-end. Taxes collected for other agencies are held and distributed to those agencies and taxing authorities.
Office operations and tax collections
The operating budget supports the office’s work. The total taxes and other payments collected on behalf of public agencies are a different measure. Use the document’s heading and schedules to identify which amounts you are reviewing.
Records & assistance
Need expenditure records or another fiscal year?
Contact the Records Management Liaison Officer at 386-758-1080 or visit the office at 135 NE Hernando Ave, Suite 125, Lake City, FL 32055. The public records page provides additional request options.
To help staff locate the records, describe the fiscal year, reporting period and type of record you want, if known. Disclosure of your identity or the purpose of your request is not required.
Need help reading a PDF?
If a scanned document or website feature is difficult to access because of a disability, call 386-758-1077 or contact the office for assistance.
Document links reviewed October 21, 2026. This page is a reading guide; consult the published documents and any approved amendments for financial details.
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!
