Orange County Property Tax Appeal — Florida

Rob Hartley·Updated February 15, 2026

Orange County, Florida is home to over 1.4 million residents with Orlando as its county seat and major population center. The county includes cities like Winter Park, Apopka, Ocoee, Winter Garden, and the tourist corridor of Kissimmee. With a median home value of approximately $329,000 and an effective tax rate of 1.16%, property tax appeals matter here as homeowners pay a median annual tax bill of $3,346, which is $946 higher than the national median of $2,400. The county's property tax burden is higher than both state and national averages, making property tax appeals an important tool for homeowners seeking relief from potential overassessments.

Notable cities: Orlando, Winter Park, Apopka, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Kissimmee

Median Home

$329,000

Tax Rate

1.16%

Annual Tax

$3,346

Population

1.4 million

2026 Appeal Deadline: 25 days from TRIM notice mailing

For 2026, the deadline will be 25 days following the mailing of the Truth in Millage (TRIM) Notice, typically in mid-September. The 2026 deadline was September 15, 2026.

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

How Orange County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Orange County Property Appraiser

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: April

In Orange County, properties are assessed at 100% of their market value as determined by the Property Appraiser. Florida law requires properties to be assessed at their full market value. If your home's market value is $329,000, at Florida's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $329,000, resulting in approximately $3,816 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.16%.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Value Adjustment Board (VAB). Hearings are conducted by Special Magistrates who review evidence and make recommendations to the VAB. You can present comparable sales, photos, repair estimates, and expert testimony to support your case.

Schedule an informal meeting with Property Appraiser staff by calling(407) 836-5205 for residential or(407) 836-5404 for commercial properties

File a petition with the Value Adjustment Board within 25 days of receiving your TRIM notice if informal resolution is unsuccessful

Pay partial payment of at least 75% of ad valorem taxes by March 31 to preserve your appeal rights

Attend your scheduled hearing before a Special Magistrate either virtually via WebEx or in-person at 109 E. Church Street

Receive the VAB's final decision after all hearings are complete; if unsatisfied, you may file an action in circuit court within 60 days

Required form: Value Adjustment Board Petition (Form DR-486)

Filing Methods

online:https://vab.occompt.com (accepts single parcels only)

mail:Orange County Value Adjustment Board, P.O. Box 38, Orlando, FL 32802-0038

in-person:109 E. Church St, 4th Floor Suite 450, Orlando, FL 32801

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales of similar propertiesPhotos documenting property condition issuesRepair estimates or contractor bidsIndependent appraisalsEvidence of declining property values in your area

Orange County Assessor Contact

Orange County Property Appraiser

Phone: (407) 836-5044

Address: 200 S. Orange Avenue, Suite 1700, Orlando, FL 32801

Website: https://www.ocpafl.org

Online Portal: https://vab.occompt.com

Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday

Tax Exemptions in Orange County

Homestead Exemption

$50,000 ($25,000 base + $25,000 additional for values over $75,000)

Reduces taxable value for primary residences and limits annual assessment increases to 3%

Eligibility: Must own and occupy property as primary residence as of January 1Deadline: March 1

Senior Exemption

Up to $50,000 additional exemption

Additional exemption for residents 65 and older meeting income requirements

Eligibility: Age 65+, household income limits apply, must have homestead exemptionDeadline: March 1

Disabled Veteran Exemption

$5,000 to full exemption depending on disability percentage

Exemption for veterans with service-connected disabilities

Eligibility: Honorably discharged veteran with VA-certified disability ratingDeadline: March 1

Widow/Widower Exemption

$500

Exemption for surviving spouse of deceased Florida resident

Eligibility: Surviving spouse who has not remarriedDeadline: March 1

Disability Exemption

$500

Exemption for totally and permanently disabled persons

Eligibility: Must be totally and permanently disabled with required documentationDeadline: March 1

Official Resources

Orange County Property Appraiser Website →

Official source for property values, exemption applications, and assessment information in Orange County.

Orange County Value Adjustment Board →

File appeals online, check deadlines, and access forms for property tax appeals in Orange County.

Orange County Tax Collector →

Pay property taxes, view tax bills, and find information about payment plans and tax certificates.

Florida Department of Revenue Property Tax Resources →

State-level property tax information, forms, and guidelines for Florida property owners.

Check Your Orange County Assessment

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Orange County?

The deadline to appeal your property taxes in Orange County is 25 days from the date your Truth in Millage (TRIM) notice is mailed, typically resulting in a mid-September deadline. For 2026, the deadline was September 15th. If you miss this deadline, you can still file with a good cause letter explaining your extenuating circumstances, though approval is not guaranteed. For exemption or classification denials, you have 30 days from the denial notice date to file your appeal.

How do I file a property tax appeal in Orange County online?

You can file your property tax appeal online at https://vab.occompt.com for single parcels only. The online system is available 24/7 until 11:59 p.m. on the filing deadline. You'll need your parcel ID number and property information ready. If you own multiple contiguous parcels, you must file by mail or in person at 109 E. Church St, 4th Floor Suite 450, Orlando. The online portal makes it easy to track your appeal status and receive electronic notifications about your hearing date.

What is the homestead exemption worth in Orange County?

The homestead exemption in Orange County can save you up to $750 annually by exempting up to $50,000 from your property's assessed value. The first $25,000 applies to all property taxes, while the additional $25,000 exemption applies only to non-school taxes for homes valued over $75,000. Additionally, the Save Our Homes cap limits annual assessment increases to 3% or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower, protecting long-term homeowners from rapid tax increases even in hot real estate markets.

What happens at a Value Adjustment Board hearing in Orange County?

At your Orange County VAB hearing, you'll present your case to a Special Magistrate who acts as an independent reviewer. You can attend virtually via WebEx or in person at the Magnolia Place Building. The Property Appraiser will present their assessment reasoning, then you'll have time to present evidence like comparable sales, photos, or repair estimates. The magistrate will ask questions and typically issues a recommendation within 20 days. The full VAB then votes on all recommendations at a later meeting to finalize decisions.

How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Orange County?

The amount you can save depends on how much your property is overassessed and the strength of your evidence. With Orange County's median tax bill of $3,346 and effective rate of 1.16%, a successful 10% reduction in assessed value on a $329,000 home would save approximately $382 annually. Some property owners have achieved larger reductions, especially when presenting strong evidence of overassessment through comparable sales or documenting significant property condition issues. These savings continue year after year, making the appeal process worthwhile for many homeowners.

What evidence do I need for an Orange County property tax appeal?

For a successful Orange County property tax appeal, gather recent sales data of comparable properties in your neighborhood that sold for less than your assessed value. Take detailed photos of any property defects, deferred maintenance, or conditions affecting value. Obtain written repair estimates from licensed contractors for any needed repairs. Consider hiring an independent appraiser for properties with complex valuation issues. Also helpful are photos showing negative factors like nearby commercial development, traffic issues, or flooding problems that might impact your property's market value.

Do I still have to pay property taxes while my appeal is pending in Orange County?

Yes, Florida law requires you to pay a partial payment while your appeal is pending to maintain your appeal rights. You must pay all non-ad valorem assessments plus at least 75% of your ad valorem taxes by the delinquency date, typically April 1. If you're appealing an exemption denial, you must pay what you admit in good faith to be owing. Failure to make this partial payment by April 1 will result in automatic denial of your petition by April 20, even if the Special Magistrate recommended a reduction.

Can I appeal my Orange County property taxes every year?

Yes, you have the right to appeal your property tax assessment every year in Orange County if you believe your property is overvalued. Each year brings a new assessment and a new opportunity to challenge it. However, winning an appeal one year doesn't guarantee the same reduction in future years, as the Property Appraiser conducts new assessments annually based on current market conditions. Many property owners find it beneficial to review their assessment each year, especially in changing market conditions or after property improvements.

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 →

More Florida Counties

Brevard County (Titusville)Broward County (Fort Lauderdale)Duval County (Jacksonville)Hillsborough County (Tampa)Lee County (Fort Myers)Miami-Dade County (Miami)

← All Florida property tax appeal info

Sources: https://www.occompt.com/199/Value-Adjustment-Board | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/florida/orange-county | https://www.octaxcol.com/taxes/about-property-tax/ | https://ocpaweb.ocpafl.org/ | https://floridarevenue.com/property/pages/Taxpayers_PropertyValueDisagree.aspx

Last verified: 2026-02-15