AppealDesk

Charlotte County Property Tax Appeal — Florida

Rob HartleyRob Hartley·Updated February 28, 2026

Charlotte County is located in southwestern Florida with a county seat of Punta Gorda, the only incorporated city in the county. Major population centers include Port Charlotte (the largest community with over 60,000 residents), Punta Gorda, and Englewood. With a 2020 census population of 186,847, Charlotte County has an effective property tax rate of 0.96%, resulting in a median annual tax bill of $1,780 for a home valued at the median of $184,900. This is below the national median property tax bill of $2,400, though Charlotte County ranks 18th among Florida's 67 counties for median property taxes.

Notable cities: Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Englewood

Median Home

$184,900

Tax Rate

0.96%

Annual Tax

$1,780

Population

186,847 (2020 Census)

2026 Appeal Deadline: 25 days from the date you receive your Notice of Proposed Property Taxes (TRIM notice), typically mid-September

Property owners receive the Notice of Proposed Property Taxes (NOPPT) in August. You must file your petition with the Value Adjustment Board within 25 days of receiving this notice. The petition filing date is when the petition is actually received by the Clerk, not when it is postmarked.

Property in Charlotte County, Florida — local tax assessment and appeal guide

How Charlotte County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Charlotte County Property Appraiser

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: Spring (typically mid-April)

Charlotte County assesses property at 100% of market value. Florida law requires annual revaluation of all property as of January 1, based on market data from the prior calendar year. For example: If your home's market value is $184,900, at Florida's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $184,900. After applying the standard $50,000 homestead exemption (if eligible), your taxable value would be $134,900, resulting in approximately $1,295 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 0.96%.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Value Adjustment Board (VAB). The VAB hearing is conducted by a Special Magistrate under Florida Evidence Code rules. Both you and the Property Appraiser present evidence, witnesses are sworn, and testimony must be based on first-hand knowledge. The Clerk will notify you of the final decision in writing.

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Step 1: Consider an informal discussion with the Charlotte County Property Appraiser's office at (941) 743-1498 to discuss your concerns before filing a formal appeal. They may make corrections without requiring a formal petition.

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Step 2: If informal discussions don't resolve the issue, file a petition with the Value Adjustment Board (VAB) within 25 days of receiving your TRIM notice in August. Include the $50 non-refundable filing fee per parcel (payable to Board of County Commissioners).

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Step 3: Gather supporting evidence including recent sales data of comparable properties, photographs of your property, appraisals, repair estimates, and documentation of any issues affecting value. Submit evidence to the Property Appraiser and VAB before your hearing.

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Step 4: Attend your VAB hearing before a Special Magistrate. You'll receive written notice at least 25 days before the hearing date. Both you and the Property Appraiser will present evidence. Hearings are conducted under Florida Evidence Code rules with sworn testimony.

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Step 5: The VAB will issue a final decision within 20 days of the last hearing date. If you disagree with the VAB decision, you may request reconsideration or file an appeal with the Circuit Court.

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Step 6: If administrative appeals are exhausted and you remain unsatisfied, you can appeal the VAB decision to Circuit Court under Florida law.

Required form: Petition to Value Adjustment Board (Form DR-486) or county-provided petition form

Filing Methods

mail:Charlotte County Administration Building, Value Adjustment Board, 18500 Murdock Circle, Room 416, Port Charlotte, FL 33948
in-person:Charlotte County Administration Building, 18500 Murdock Circle, Room 416, Port Charlotte, FL 33948
phone:Contact Clerk's office at (941) 743-1404 for filing questions

Evidence to Bring

Recent sales data of comparable properties in your areaProfessional appraisal or property valuation reportPhotographs showing property condition or defectsRepair estimates or documentation of property damageDocumentation of property characteristics or errors in the assessment

Charlotte County Assessor Contact

Charlotte County Property Appraiser

Phone: (941) 743-1498

Address: 18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte, FL 33948

Website: https://www.ccappraiser.com

Online Portal: https://www.ccappraiser.com/RPSearchEnter.asp

Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday

Tax Exemptions in Charlotte County

Standard Homestead Exemption

Up to $50,000 ($25,000 applies to all property taxes; second $25,000 applies only to non-school taxes)

Reduces the taxable value of a primary residence for permanent Florida residents

Eligibility: Must own and occupy the property as your permanent residence as of January 1 of the tax yearDeadline: March 1 (applications may be pre-filed starting March 2 of the prior year)

Additional Homestead Exemption for Seniors (65+)

Up to $50,000 additional exemption

Additional exemption for qualifying seniors with limited household income, applies only to Charlotte County taxes

Eligibility: At least one owner must be 65 years or older as of January 1; must have current homestead exemption; household income must fall below annual limit (adjusted yearly, typically in low-to-mid $30,000 range)Deadline: March 1 annually with proof of income required

Total and Permanent Disability Exemption

100% exemption from ad valorem taxation

Full exemption for totally and permanently disabled persons including quadriplegics, paraplegics, hemiplegics, or legally blind

Eligibility: Must be quadriplegic, paraplegic, hemiplegic, or legally blind; must use wheelchair for mobility or have certification from two unrelated licensed Florida physicians or U.S. VA; income limitation applies for non-quadriplegicsDeadline: March 1

Disabled Veterans Exemption

Varies by disability rating; 100% exemption available for total and permanent service-connected disability

Partial or total property tax exemption for veterans with service-connected disabilities

Eligibility: Must have service-connected disability rating from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; certain surviving spouses also qualifyDeadline: March 1

Combat-Related Disability Discount (Veterans 65+)

Discount based on percentage of disability rating

Ad valorem tax discount for senior veterans with combat-related disabilities

Eligibility: Veterans 65 or older with combat-related disability rated at least 10% by VADeadline: March 1

Official Resources

Charlotte County Property Appraiser Official Website →

Access property records, search assessments, apply for exemptions, and find valuation information.

Charlotte County Property Search Tool →

Look up your property's assessed value, tax history, and parcel information online.

Charlotte County Value Adjustment Board Information →

Find VAB petition forms, filing instructions, hearing schedules, and special magistrate information.

Florida Department of Revenue - Property Tax Resources →

Access state property tax guidelines, petition forms, exemption information, and taxpayer guides.

Check Your Charlotte County Assessment

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Charlotte County for 2026?
The deadline to file a property tax appeal in Charlotte County is 25 days from the date you receive your Notice of Proposed Property Taxes (TRIM notice), which is typically mailed in August each year. For most homeowners, this means the filing deadline falls in mid-September. It's critical to note that the filing date is when your petition is actually received by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, not the postmark date. If you miss this deadline, you may still file a late petition but must provide written reasons demonstrating good cause for the delay.
How do I file a property tax appeal in Charlotte County?
To file a property tax appeal in Charlotte County, you must submit a Petition to the Value Adjustment Board (Form DR-486 or county form) to the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 18500 Murdock Circle, Room 416, Port Charlotte, FL 33948. You can file by mail or in person. Each petition must include a $50 non-refundable filing fee per parcel, payable to the Board of County Commissioners. Before filing, consider requesting an informal conference with the Property Appraiser's office at (941) 743-1498, as they may resolve the issue without formal proceedings. Contact the Clerk's office at (941) 743-1404 with filing questions.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Charlotte County?
The standard homestead exemption in Charlotte County is worth up to $50,000 in reduced taxable value for your primary residence. The first $25,000 applies to all property taxes (county, school, and other levies), while the second $25,000 applies only to non-school taxes. For a home with the median value of $184,900, this exemption would reduce your taxable value to $134,900, saving you approximately $485 annually. Seniors age 65 and older with household incomes below the annual limit may qualify for an additional $50,000 exemption on Charlotte County taxes only, potentially doubling the savings.
What evidence do I need for a successful Charlotte County property tax appeal?
To build a strong property tax appeal in Charlotte County, you need compelling market evidence showing your property is overvalued. The most effective evidence includes recent sales data of at least three comparable properties in your neighborhood that sold for less than your assessed value, a professional appraisal conducted by a state-certified appraiser, and photographs documenting property defects or damage. You should also gather repair estimates for any needed work, documentation of property characteristics that may have been recorded incorrectly, and evidence of factors negatively affecting value such as environmental issues or location problems. Submit all evidence to both the Property Appraiser and the VAB before your hearing.
What happens at a Value Adjustment Board hearing in Charlotte County?
At a Charlotte County Value Adjustment Board hearing, you'll appear before a Special Magistrate in a quasi-judicial proceeding conducted under Florida Evidence Code rules. Both you (or your representative) and the Property Appraiser will present evidence to support your respective positions. All witnesses are sworn under oath and testimony must be based on first-hand knowledge only. You'll receive written notice at least 25 days before your scheduled hearing date. The hearing is recorded, and you can reschedule once for good cause. After the hearing, the VAB will issue a written decision within 20 days explaining whether any changes were made and the legal basis for the decision.
How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Charlotte County?
The potential savings from a successful Charlotte County property tax appeal depend on how much your assessed value is reduced. With Charlotte County's effective tax rate of 0.96%, every $10,000 reduction in assessed value saves approximately $96 annually. If you successfully reduce your assessment from $250,000 to $200,000 (a $50,000 reduction), you'd save approximately $480 per year. Statistics show that about 25% of homes nationwide are overassessed, paying an average of $1,346 too much annually. Your actual savings will depend on your specific property value, the evidence you present, and the degree of overassessment the VAB finds.
Can I appeal my Charlotte County property taxes if I already have a homestead exemption?
Yes, absolutely. Having a homestead exemption does not prevent you from appealing your property's assessed value in Charlotte County. The homestead exemption and the assessment appeal are separate processes. Your homestead exemption reduces your taxable value by up to $50,000 after the Property Appraiser determines your assessed value, while an appeal challenges the assessed value itself. If you believe your property is overvalued, you should file an appeal even if you have homestead or other exemptions. A successful appeal reduces your assessed value before exemptions are applied, potentially increasing your overall tax savings.
When will I receive my property tax assessment notice in Charlotte County?
Charlotte County Property Appraiser sends assessment notices in the spring each year, typically reaching mailboxes by mid-April. This notice shows both your property's market value and assessed value as of January 1. Later in August, you'll receive the Notice of Proposed Property Taxes (TRIM notice), which provides a preliminary tax assessment and triggers the 25-day deadline to file an appeal with the Value Adjustment Board. Finally, actual tax bills are mailed by the Tax Collector on or before November 1st each year. If you don't receive these notices, contact the Property Appraiser at (941) 743-1498, as it's your responsibility to ensure taxes are paid regardless of whether you received a bill.

For state-wide appeal information including Florida's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our Florida Property Tax Appeal Guide →

Considering professional help with your appeal? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Appeal Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

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← All Florida property tax appeal info

Sources: https://www.ccappraiser.com | https://www.tax-rates.org/florida/charlotte_county_property_tax | https://charlotteclerk.com/departments/vab/ | https://taxcollector.charlottecountyfl.gov | https://floridarevenue.com/property/Pages/VAB.aspx

Last verified: 2026-02-28