Alachua County property tax records are public files that show who owns each parcel, how much it is worth, and what taxes are paid each year. These records are kept by two main offices in Gainesville, Florida.
The Property Appraiser sets the value of every parcel. The Tax Collector bills the owner and collects the money. Anyone can look at these records online for free, and you do not need to live in Florida or give a reason to see them.
Alachua County Property Appraiser Office
The Property Appraiser is the office that decides how much every piece of real estate is worth. This value is the base for your yearly tax bill. The office works under Florida state law and follows rules set by the Florida Department of Revenue.
Office Location and Contact
The Alachua County Property Appraiser sits at 5830 NW 34th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32653. The office phone is (352) 374-5236. Normal business hours run Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office closes on weekends and on all state holidays. You can walk in to ask questions about your value, your exemption, or how to read your tax notice.
What the Appraiser Does Each Year
On January 1 of every year, the Appraiser looks at the value of every parcel in the county. This date is the legal assessment date for the whole state. The office uses sales of similar homes, lot size, building size, age, and condition to set the value. Mass appraisal methods are used, which means most parcels are valued using computer models rather than a person walking through each home. The Appraiser does not set tax rates and does not collect money. Those jobs belong to other offices.
How Property Values Are Set
Florida law uses a standard called “just value” for property assessment. Just value means the amount a willing buyer would pay a willing seller, with no one forced to sell or buy. The Appraiser then applies the Save Our Homes cap for homestead properties, which limits how much the assessed value can grow each year. Exemptions are also subtracted at this stage. The final number is the taxable value, which is what the tax bill is based on.
Alachua County Tax Collector Office
The Tax Collector is the office that sends the bill, takes the payment, and tracks unpaid taxes. The office also runs tax certificate sales when property owners fall behind. This office is separate from the Appraiser and reports to a different elected official.
Office Details and Hours
The Alachua County Tax Collector office sits at 5830 NW 34th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32653. The phone number is (352) 374-5236. Doors are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can pay your bill at the counter, drop a check in the mail, or pay online through the collector’s website. Branch offices are also open in other parts of the county for in-person help.
Payment Methods Accepted
The Tax Collector takes several kinds of payment. Online payments can be made with a credit card, debit card, or electronic check through the official payment portal. In-person payments can be made with cash, check, money order, or card at any branch location. Mail payments are accepted if you send a check or money order with your bill stub. A small convenience fee is added to card payments, but e-checks have no extra charge.
Early Payment Discount Schedule
Florida gives a discount to property owners who pay their tax bill early. The discount drops each month until taxes become late. The full discount schedule for 2026 is shown in the table below.
| Payment Month | Discount |
|---|---|
| November 2025 | 4% off |
| December 2025 | 3% off |
| January 2026 | 2% off |
| February 2026 | 1% off |
| March 2026 | No discount |
| After March 31, 2026 | Delinquent, penalties apply |
How to Search Property Tax Records
Most people start their search on the Alachua County Property Appraiser website. The site has a free search tool that lets you pull up any parcel in the county. You can search three ways: by owner name, by street address, or by parcel ID number. Each method works, but the parcel ID gives the fastest and most exact result.
Search by Owner Name
To search by owner name, type the last name first into the search bar on the Appraiser site. You can also add a first name to narrow the list. The site will show every parcel where the person appears as the current owner. If the owner has a common name, you may see a long list. You can sort the list by parcel ID or address to find the right one. Business names, trust names, and LLC names also work in this search.
Search by Property Address
To search by address, type the house number and street name into the search bar. Do not add the city, ZIP, or unit number at first. If the address has a unit, you can add that after the first search. The site will pull up the parcel linked to that address. The result page shows the owner, the value, the lot size, and the building details. This is the easiest search for most homeowners checking their own property.
Search by Parcel Number
To search by parcel number, type the full parcel ID into the search bar. Alachua County parcel IDs follow a standard format that starts with a section number, township, and range code. Using the full ID cuts out any guess work and lands you on the right page on the first try. The parcel ID is printed on your tax bill, your TRIM notice, and any letter you get from the Appraiser.
What Each Record Shows
Once you pull up a parcel, the record shows many kinds of data. The key fields are listed below.
- Owner name and mailing address
- Parcel ID number and legal description
- Just value, assessed value, and taxable value
- Land size and building size in square feet
- Year built and last sale date
- Sales history for the last five to ten years
- Exemptions currently on file
- Aerial map and GIS location data
Types of Tax Records Available
Alachua County keeps four main kinds of tax records. Each kind answers a different question. The Appraiser’s site holds assessment data, while the Tax Collector’s site holds billing and payment data. Together, these two sites cover the full record for any parcel in the county.
Assessment Records
Assessment records show how the Appraiser values the property. These records list the just value, the assessed value, and the taxable value for the current year and past years. They also show the land value separate from the building value, and any adjustments made for things like new construction or demolition. Assessment records are the official source for any question about how your value was set.
Tax Bill Records
Tax bill records show the amount billed for each year. The bill is based on the taxable value times the millage rate set by each taxing authority. Each bill lists the county millage, the school board millage, the city millage (if inside a city), and any special district millage. The bill also shows the total millage and the gross tax amount before discounts.
Payment History Records
Payment history records show if a bill was paid, when it was paid, and how it was paid. These records are kept by the Tax Collector. You can look up a parcel and see the payment date, the receipt number, and the method used. Payment history is useful when buying a property, because it shows whether the seller has kept taxes current. It is also useful when a title company is doing a payoff search.
Exemption Records
Exemption records show which tax exemptions are on file for a parcel. Common exemptions in Alachua County include homestead, senior, disability, and veteran. The record shows the type of exemption, the amount of the exemption, and the year it was first applied. Some exemption records also show the documents the owner filed to claim the exemption.
Property Tax Exemptions in Alachua County
Florida gives several property tax exemptions that lower the taxable value of a parcel. Each exemption has its own rules, and most require an application. The deadline to apply for the homestead exemption is March 1 of the tax year. Late applications are not accepted in most cases. All exemption applications are filed with the Property Appraiser, not the Tax Collector.
Homestead Exemption
The homestead exemption is the most common exemption in Florida. It removes up to $50,000 from the assessed value of a primary residence. The first $25,000 applies to all taxing authorities, including schools. The second $25,000 applies to the value between $50,000 and $75,000 and applies to all authorities except schools. To claim homestead, you must own the home, live in it as your main home on January 1, and have a Florida driver’s license or ID. You can only claim homestead on one property at a time.
Save Our Homes Cap
The Save Our Homes (SOH) cap is a separate benefit that goes with the homestead exemption. Once a property is homesteaded, the assessed value can only grow by 3% each year or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. Over time, this cap can make the assessed value much lower than the just value. The cap stays in place as long as you own the home and keep your homestead exemption active. The cap resets when the property changes ownership.
Senior Citizen Exemption
Alachua County offers an extra exemption for residents age 65 and older with low income. The exemption amount depends on household income. To qualify, you must have a total household income under the limit set by the Florida Department of Revenue each year. You also must have held homestead for at least one year. The income limit changes yearly, so check the Appraiser’s site for the current number before you apply.
Veteran and Disability Exemptions
Florida offers several exemptions for veterans, disabled veterans, and people with disabilities. Disabled veterans with a service-connected disability may qualify for a full exemption on their home. A widow or widower of a veteran who died in service may also qualify. People with certain disabilities may qualify for a $5,000 exemption on any property they own. Each exemption has its own paperwork and proof requirements, which the Appraiser’s office can explain.
How to Appeal a Property Assessment
If you think your property value is too high, Florida gives you a formal way to challenge it. The process starts with the TRIM notice and ends with a hearing before an independent board. Most appeals are filed by homeowners who believe their value is higher than what nearby homes sold for.
TRIM Notice Timeline
Each year in August, the Property Appraiser mails a TRIM notice to every property owner. TRIM stands for Truth in Millage. The notice shows the proposed value for the next tax year and the taxes that would be owed at that value. It also lists the public hearings where the budget and millage rates will be set. You have 25 days from the date on the TRIM notice to file an appeal if you disagree with the value.
Filing a VAB Petition
To appeal, you file a petition with the Value Adjustment Board, also called the VAB. The petition form is on the Alachua County Clerk of Court’s website. You can also pick up a paper form at the Clerk’s office. The form asks for your parcel ID, your contact info, and the reason for your appeal. You pay a small filing fee when you submit the form. After you file, the VAB sets a hearing date and sends you a notice.
What Happens at the Hearing
At the VAB hearing, a special magistrate listens to both sides. The Appraiser’s office brings evidence to support the value, such as sales of similar homes. You bring your own evidence, such as recent sales, photos of problems with the property, or an independent appraisal. The magistrate reviews the evidence and writes a recommendation. The full VAB board then votes to accept or reject the recommendation. If the board rules in your favor, the Appraiser lowers the value.
What Happens When Taxes Go Unpaid
When property taxes are not paid, the Tax Collector follows a set of steps laid out in Florida law. The process starts with a small penalty and grows into a tax deed sale if the debt stays unpaid. The whole process is recorded in the public tax records for that parcel.
Delinquent Tax Process
Taxes become delinquent on April 1 of the year after they are billed. Once they are delinquent, the bill starts to grow. A 3% penalty is added, plus interest at 1% per month. Advertising costs are also added before the tax certificate sale. These costs are set by Florida law and apply to every county in the state. The Tax Collector mails a final notice to the owner before the next step.
Tax Certificate Sale
If taxes stay unpaid, the Tax Collector holds a tax certificate sale in June. Investors can bid on the right to pay the unpaid taxes. The winning bid earns the highest interest rate the investor will accept. The investor then gets a tax certificate that earns interest. The property owner can pay off the certificate at any time for two years, which pays back the investor plus interest. The certificate sale is open to the public, and bids can be placed online or by phone.
Tax Deed Process
If the property owner does not pay off the tax certificate within two years, the certificate holder can apply for a tax deed. The Tax Collector then advertises the property for sale, and a public auction is held. The highest bidder pays the back taxes and any other costs. The former owner gets a short time to redeem the property by paying the full amount plus fees. If no one redeems, the new owner gets a tax deed, and the property changes hands.
Public Records Access in Florida
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the country. Most government records, including property tax records, are open for anyone to see. You do not need to be a Florida resident. You do not need to show ID. You do not need to give a reason for your request.
Chapter 119 Public Records Law
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes is the state’s main public records law. The law says that all records made or received by any government agency in the course of official business are public, unless a specific law says otherwise. Property tax records fall under this rule. Anyone who asks for a record must be given a copy, though the office can charge a fee for copies and for staff time on large requests.
Records You Can and Cannot See
Most property tax data is public, but a few items are protected. The full list is shown below.
- Owner name: Public
- Property address: Public
- Assessed value: Public
- Tax bill amount: Public
- Payment history: Public
- Exemption type: Public
- Exemption amount: Public
- Social Security number on exemption form: Private
- Bank account number on payment form: Private
- Medical records used for disability exemption: Private
Alachua County Property Tax Records by City
Every parcel in Alachua County is handled by the same two offices, no matter which city or town it sits in. The Appraiser sets the value for the whole county, and the Tax Collector bills the whole county. Below is a list of the main cities and towns in Alachua County and how their records work.
Gainesville
Gainesville is the county seat and the largest city in Alachua County. It is home to the University of Florida and most of the county government offices. Property tax records for Gainesville parcels follow the same process as all other county parcels. The Gainesville City Commission sets a separate millage rate that is added to the county rate on the tax bill.
Newberry, Archer, Hawthorne, and Waldo
Newberry, Archer, Hawthorne, and Waldo are smaller towns in Alachua County. Property tax records in these towns are also kept by the county-level offices. Each town has its own millage rate, which is added to the county and school board rates on the tax bill. You search for these parcels the same way you search for any other parcel in the county.
Unincorporated Areas
Many parcels in Alachua County are outside any city limit. These unincorporated parcels are billed only the county millage and the school board millage. They do not pay a city millage, which often makes the total tax bill lower than parcels inside a city. All unincorporated parcels are still assessed and collected by the same two county offices.
Official Contact Information
The Alachua County Property Appraiser and Tax Collector both share the same address in Gainesville. The map below shows the exact location. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can also reach each office by phone, mail, or through their official websites.
Alachua County Property Appraiser and Tax Collector
5830 NW 34th Blvd
Gainesville, FL 32653
Phone: (352) 374-5236
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Property Appraiser Website: https://www.acpafl.org/
Tax Collector Website: https://www.alachuacollector.com/
Tax Payment Portal: https://www.alachuacollector.com/property-taxes/
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about Alachua County property tax records. These cover the most searched topics on this subject, from basic lookups to appeals and exemptions. Each answer points to the right office, the right form, or the right website to move your search forward.
How do I look up my Alachua County property tax bill online?
Go to the Alachua County Tax Collector website at https://www.alachuacollector.com/ and click on the property tax search tool. Type in your parcel ID or street address. The site will show your current bill, the amount due, the discount available if you pay early, and the last date to pay before the bill becomes delinquent. You can also pay the bill on the same page using a credit card, debit card, or electronic check.
Can I see who paid the property tax on a specific parcel last year?
Yes. The Tax Collector’s site shows payment history for each parcel. Once you pull up a parcel by parcel ID, the record shows each year’s bill, the date it was paid, the amount paid, and the payment method. This data is public under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. The Appraiser’s site also shows past years’ values and exemption status, which together give a full picture of a parcel’s tax record.
What is the difference between just value and assessed value?
Just value is the market value of the property on January 1 of the tax year, set by the Appraiser using sales of similar homes. Assessed value is the value used to calculate your tax bill. For homestead properties, the assessed value grows by no more than 3% per year under the Save Our Homes cap, even if the just value jumps higher. The taxable value is the assessed value minus any exemptions you claim.
How long does an appeal take from start to finish?
Most VAB appeals take three to six months from filing to final decision. The TRIM notice goes out in August. The petition must be filed within 25 days. Hearings are scheduled in the fall and early winter. The VAB board votes on the magistrate’s recommendation in the months after. If you want to appeal further, you can file a lawsuit in circuit court, but most cases are settled at the VAB level.
Are there fees for getting a copy of my property tax record?
Online lookups on both the Appraiser and Tax Collector sites are free. You can print or save the screen at no cost. If you need a certified copy, you must request it in person or by mail and pay a small fee set by the office. Bulk data requests for entire neighborhoods or large sets of parcels may also carry a fee for staff time, copying, and the storage media.
What happens to the homestead exemption when I move?
Your homestead exemption stays on the old home until the end of the tax year. If you buy a new home in Florida, you can sign a form to move the homestead to the new property and keep the cap savings. The cap savings do not transfer, but the new property starts the 3% cap from the value in the year you file the new homestead. You have two years to file for portability of your SOH benefit.
Can I pay my Alachua County property taxes in installments?
Yes. The Tax Collector offers a quarterly installment plan for property owners who want to spread payments across the year. Sign-up runs from April through June for the next tax year. Under the plan, you pay one quarter in June, one in September, one in December, and one in March. If you miss a payment or pay late, you lose the discount and are removed from the plan. The plan is open to any property owner who files on time.