Pinellas County Property Tax AppealFlorida

Rob HartleyRob Hartley·Updated February 15, 2026

Pinellas County, located on Florida's west-central coast between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, encompasses major population centers including St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Largo. The county's median home value of approximately $284,300 reflects its desirable coastal location, while homeowners face a median property tax bill of $2,592 annually, which is slightly above the national median due to the county's effective tax rate of 1.08%. This rate, while competitive within Florida, results in property tax burdens that vary significantly across the county, from as low as $976 in some St. Petersburg neighborhoods to over $8,612 in high-value areas like Tierra Verde.

Notable cities: St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Pinellas Park, Dunedin

Median Home

$284,300

Tax Rate

1.08%

Annual Tax

$2,592

Population

approximately 970,000

2026 Appeal Deadline: 25 days from mailing of TRIM notice

Property owners have 25 days from the mailing date of their Truth in Millage (TRIM) notice to file a Value Adjustment Board petition. TRIM notices are typically mailed in mid-April, making most appeal deadlines fall in May.

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

How Pinellas County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Pinellas County Property Appraiser

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: mid-April

In Pinellas County, properties are assessed annually at 100% of their market value as of January 1st each year. Florida law requires properties to be assessed at their full market value, meaning there is no fractional assessment ratio applied. If your home's market value is $284,300 (the county median), at Florida's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $284,300, resulting in approximately $3,070 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.08%.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Value Adjustment Board (VAB). You'll receive a hearing appointment before a Special Magistrate who is an independent attorney hired to hear property value appeals. The hearing allows you to present evidence supporting your claimed value while the Property Appraiser presents their assessment rationale.

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Step 1: Contact the Property Appraiser at(727) 464-3207 to discuss your property value concerns with your area appraiser for potential informal resolution

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Step 2: If informal resolution fails, file a Value Adjustment Board (VAB) petition with the Clerk of the Circuit Court within 25 days of your TRIM notice mailing date

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Step 3: Pay the required filing fee (waived for homestead exemption denial appeals) when submitting your petition

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Step 4: Prepare evidence including comparable sales, independent appraisals, photos of property conditions, and repair estimates - submit to VAB at least 10 days before hearing

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Step 5: Attend your scheduled hearing before a Special Magistrate (an independent attorney) to present your case

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Step 6: If unsatisfied with the VAB decision, you may appeal to circuit court as your final recourse

Required form: Value Adjustment Board (VAB) petition

Filing Methods

in-person:File with the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's office
mail:Send petition to Clerk of the Circuit Court at the courthouse address
phone:Call(727) 464-3207 to discuss value concerns with area appraiser before filing formal appeal

Evidence to Bring

Recent sales data of comparable propertiesIndependent property appraisalPhotos documenting property condition issuesRepair estimates and contractor bidsEvidence of declining property values in your area

Pinellas County Assessor Contact

Pinellas County Property Appraiser

Phone: (727) 464-3207

Address: Pinellas County Courthouse, 2nd Floor, 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756

Website: https://www.pcpao.gov/

Online Portal: https://www.pcpao.gov/

Hours: 8AM to 5PM (Monday - Friday)

Tax Exemptions in Pinellas County

Homestead Exemption

$25,000 on first $50,000 of value (all taxes), plus up to $26,411 on value between $50,000-$75,000 (non-school taxes)

Reduces assessed value for primary residences by up to $51,411 (2026)

Eligibility: Must own and occupy property as permanent residence as of January 1st, be a Florida residentDeadline: March 1st (March 2, 2026 at 5pm for 2027 tax year)

Senior Exemption

Up to $50,000 additional exemption based on income

Additional exemption for qualifying seniors aged 65 or older

Eligibility: Age 65+, household income below $38,686 (2026 limit), must have homestead exemptionDeadline: March 1st for application, June 1st for income documentation

Disabled Veteran Exemption

100% exemption on homestead property

Total exemption for veterans with service-connected permanent disabilities

Eligibility: Honorably discharged veteran with service-connected total and permanent disability, Florida resident as of January 1stDeadline: March 1st annually

Deployed Military Exemption

Varies based on deployment duration in previous year

Prorated percentage exemption based on deployment time

Eligibility: Active military serving in designated operations approved by Florida LegislatureDeadline: March 1st annually

First Responder Disability Exemption

100% exemption on homestead property

Total exemption for first responders disabled in line of duty

Eligibility: First responder with total and permanent disability from line of duty injuryDeadline: March 1st

Official Resources

Pinellas County Appeal Statistics

Success Rate

70%

Avg Reduction

$700

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Pinellas County?
The deadline to appeal your property taxes in Pinellas County is 25 days from the mailing date of your Truth in Millage (TRIM) notice, which typically arrives in mid-April. This means most property owners must file their Value Adjustment Board petition by mid-May. The specific deadline date is printed on your TRIM notice, and missing this deadline means you must wait until the following year to appeal your assessment, so it's critical to act quickly once you receive your notice.
How do I file a property tax appeal with the Pinellas County Value Adjustment Board?
To file a property tax appeal in Pinellas County, first contact the Property Appraiser at(727) 464-3207 to discuss your concerns with an area appraiser, as many issues can be resolved informally. If you still disagree with your assessment, file a Value Adjustment Board petition with the Clerk of the Circuit Court within 25 days of your TRIM notice mailing. You'll need to pay a filing fee unless appealing a homestead exemption denial, and submit evidence like comparable sales data or repair estimates at least 10 days before your scheduled hearing.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Pinellas County for 2026?
The homestead exemption in Pinellas County for 2026 provides up to $51,411 in property tax savings, consisting of $25,000 off the first $50,000 of assessed value (applying to all taxes) plus up to $26,411 on value between $50,000 and $75,000 (excluding school taxes). This typically saves homeowners between $500 and $1,000 annually on their property taxes. To qualify, you must own and occupy the property as your primary residence as of January 1st and apply by March 2, 2026 at 5pm.
What happens at a Value Adjustment Board hearing in Pinellas County?
At a Pinellas County Value Adjustment Board hearing, you'll present your case before a Special Magistrate, who is an independent attorney not affiliated with the county or Property Appraiser. You'll have the opportunity to present evidence such as comparable property sales, photos of property conditions, or an independent appraisal to support your claimed value. The Property Appraiser will also present their assessment methodology and supporting data. The Special Magistrate will review both sides and make a recommendation to the VAB, which typically issues a final decision within 20 days of the hearing.
How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Pinellas County?
Property tax appeals in Pinellas County that succeed typically reduce tax bills by an average of $700 annually, though savings vary based on the property's value and the strength of your evidence. With the county's effective tax rate of 1.08%, every $10,000 reduction in assessed value saves approximately $108 per year. Given that successful appeals have about a 70% success rate in Pinellas County, property owners who believe their assessment exceeds market value should strongly consider filing an appeal, especially since the potential savings often far exceed the modest filing fee.
What evidence do I need for a successful property tax appeal in Pinellas County?
For a successful property tax appeal in Pinellas County, you'll need concrete evidence showing your property's assessed value exceeds its market value as of January 1st. The most compelling evidence includes recent sales of comparable properties in your neighborhood (within the last 6-12 months), a professional independent appraisal, photographs documenting any property defects or needed repairs, and written repair estimates from licensed contractors. You must submit all evidence to the Value Adjustment Board at least 10 days before your hearing date, and the Property Appraiser must provide their counter-evidence to you at least 5 days after receiving yours.
Can I apply for multiple property tax exemptions in Pinellas County?
Yes, you can apply for multiple property tax exemptions in Pinellas County if you qualify for each one, and they can stack to provide significant savings. For example, a 65-year-old disabled veteran could potentially receive the homestead exemption ($51,411), senior exemption (up to $50,000 additional based on income), and disabled veteran exemption (100% exemption). However, each exemption has specific eligibility requirements and application deadlines, with most requiring annual applications by March 1st. Contact the Property Appraiser at(727) 464-3207 to discuss which exemptions you may qualify for and how to maximize your property tax savings.
What is the Save Our Homes cap and how does it affect my Pinellas County property taxes?
The Save Our Homes cap is a crucial protection for Pinellas County homeowners that limits annual increases in assessed value to 3% or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower (2.9% for 2026). This means even if your home's market value jumps 10% or more in a hot real estate market, your taxable assessed value can only increase by the capped amount. However, this protection resets when a property is sold, which is why new buyers often see significantly higher tax bills than the previous owner paid. The cap automatically applies once you've had homestead exemption for a full year and remains in effect as long as you maintain homestead status.

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

Sources: https://www.pcpao.gov/ | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/florida/pinellas-county | https://pinellastaxcollector.gov/property-tax/ | https://propertytaxescalculator.com/florida/pinellas-county | https://smartasset.com/taxes/florida-property-tax-calculator

Last verified: 2026-02-15