West Palm Beach city property tax records are public papers that show who owns each property, how much it is worth, and how much tax is owed. The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser keeps the value records.
The Palm Beach County Tax Collector keeps the bill and payment records. Both offices sit in downtown West Palm Beach. You can search these records online for free using your computer or phone.
How Property Tax Works in West Palm Beach
Property tax in West Palm Beach follows a set process each year. The county assessor sets values on January 1. Bills go out in November. Payments are due by March 31 of the next year. Several local agencies share the money collected from each property.
Assessment Date and Process
Every January 1, the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser looks at each property in the city. The appraiser decides how much each piece of land and each building is worth. This date is called the assessment date. The value set on this date stays the same for the full tax year, even if the property changes hands later in the year.
Tax Bill Timeline
Tax bills are mailed in November each year. The bill covers the value set on January 1. If you pay in November, you get a 4 percent discount. December payments get 3 percent off. January payments get 2 percent off. February payments get 1 percent off. After March 31, the bill becomes late.
Millage Rates Explained
A millage rate is the tax rate charged for each $1,000 of taxable value. For example, a rate of 20 mills means you pay $20 for every $1,000 of value. West Palm Beach properties pay millage to four groups: Palm Beach County, the school board, the City of West Palm Beach, and any special district with taxing power. Each group sets its own rate each year.
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Office
The Property Appraiser is the office that sets values for all real estate in the county. The current appraiser is Dorothy Jacks, CFA. The office is open to the public and offers free access to records online and in person.
Office Location and Contact
The Property Appraiser office sits at 301 North Olive Avenue, 5th Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. The main phone number is 561-355-2866. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can walk in during these hours to ask questions or request paper copies of records.
Search Tools and Online Access
The official website is pbcpao.gov. From the home page, you can search by property address, owner name, or parcel control number. The advanced search at pbcpao.gov/AdvSearch gives more filter choices for complex queries. Each search result shows the current value, last year’s value, sales history, building details, land size, and active exemptions. No login or fee is needed to use the search tool.
GIS Mapping System
A GIS map is available at gis.pbcgov.org/papagis. This tool shows parcel lines on top of an aerial photo. You can zoom in to see exact lot size and shape. The map links back to the full record page for any parcel you click on. This helps when you need to confirm a property’s exact location or check the size of a lot.
Palm Beach County Tax Collector Office
The Tax Collector sends out bills, collects payments, and keeps payment history. The current Tax Collector is Anne M. Gannon. This office also handles vehicle tags, driver licenses, and business tax receipts.
Office Location and Contact
The Tax Collector office sits at 301 North Olive Avenue, 3rd Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. The phone number is 561-355-2264. The email address is ClientAdvocate@pbctax.com. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The main office is in the same building as the Property Appraiser.
Payment Methods and Deadlines
You can pay online at pbctax.gov/property-tax using a bank account or credit card. You can also pay in person at the downtown office or at branch locations across the county. Mail payments are accepted with a postmark on or before the due date. The full payment schedule for 2026 tax bills is shown below.
| Payment Month | Discount | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | 4% | November 30, 2026 |
| December 2026 | 3% | December 31, 2026 |
| January 2027 | 2% | January 31, 2027 |
| February 2027 | 1% | February 28, 2027 |
| March 2027 | 0% | March 31, 2027 |
Installment Payment Plan
The Tax Collector offers a four-payment plan that spreads the yearly bill into quarterly payments. You must sign up before the tax year starts. The plan runs from June to March. Interest charges apply at a low rate set by Florida law. Sign-up details are on the pbctax.gov website. This plan helps property owners who cannot pay the full bill at once.
Search by Address, Owner, or Parcel Number
You have three main ways to look up a property in West Palm Beach. Each method works through the Property Appraiser website. The Tax Collector website also uses parcel numbers for bill lookups. Pick the search type that fits the data you already have.
Address Search Method
If you know the street address, type it into the search box on the home page. Use the full address including city and zip code for the best match. The results page shows all matching parcels at that address. Each match includes the parcel number, owner name, and current value. Click any result to see the full record.
Owner Name Search
To search by owner, enter the last name first, then the first name. You can also search by company name for properties owned by businesses. The system shows all parcels under that name across the county. This helps when you need to check a person’s property holdings or verify who owns a specific address.
Parcel Control Number Search
A parcel control number is a unique code for each piece of land in the county. The format is a series of digits broken into groups. If you have this number, you can pull up the exact parcel with no confusion. This is the fastest search method and gives the most accurate result for a single property.
Property Tax Exemptions
Florida offers several tax exemptions that lower the taxable value of a property. The rules for all exemptions are in Chapter 196 of the Florida Statutes. Most exemptions require an application with the Property Appraiser by March 1 of the tax year.
Homestead Exemption
A homestead exemption lowers the assessed value of your main home by up to $50,000. The first $25,000 removes value from all tax bills. The second $25,000 removes value from all bills except school taxes. To qualify, you must own the property and make it your main home as of January 1. New residents must file by March 1 of the year they move in.
Save Our Homes Cap
The Save Our Homes cap limits how much the assessed value of a homesteaded property can grow each year. The cap is 3 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. This cap stays in place as long as you keep the homestead exemption on the property. When you sell, the cap resets for the new owner.
Senior, Veteran, and Disability Exemptions
People age 65 and older with low income can get an extra exemption. Veterans with a service-connected disability may qualify for a full exemption based on the disability rating. Disabled residents and surviving spouses of fallen first responders also have special exemptions. Each exemption has its own rules and income limits set by Florida law.
Appealing a Property Tax Assessment
If you think the value on your property is too high, you can file an appeal. The appeal goes to the Palm Beach County Value Adjustment Board. You must file within 25 days of when your TRIM notice is mailed.
TRIM Notice Timeline
TRIM stands for Truth in Millage. The TRIM notice is sent each August and shows the proposed value and expected tax amounts. The 25-day appeal clock starts on the mailing date printed on the notice. Missing this deadline means you cannot appeal that year’s value.
Value Adjustment Board Process
After you file, a hearing is set before a special magistrate. You can attend the hearing in person or by zoom. The magistrate listens to both sides and makes a recommendation. The full Value Adjustment Board votes on the recommendation. Most appeals are decided within 60 to 90 days of filing.
Building Your Appeal Case
Strong appeals use sales of similar properties near the January 1 assessment date. Photos of any property issues help your case. An independent appraisal is strong proof for high-value properties. The burden is on you to show the appraiser’s value is wrong, so bring clear documents. You can hire a tax agent or attorney to help, though it is not required.
Florida Public Records Law
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the country. The law is in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Most government records, including property tax records, are open to anyone.
Chapter 119 Access Rights
Chapter 119 gives every person the right to see and copy public records. You do not need to be a Florida resident. You do not need to give your name or state a reason. The records office must respond to your request within a reasonable time. Fees may apply for paper copies or large data files.
Protected vs. Public Information
Some parts of property records are kept private. Social Security numbers on exemption applications are protected. Bank account details used for payments are also shielded. But the main records, including owner name, address, value, sales history, and tax bill amounts, are open to the public. Most of this data is free online.
Contact Information and Office Hours
Both offices are in the same building in downtown West Palm Beach. The building is near the county courthouse. Free public parking is available in nearby garages. You can visit during regular business hours without an appointment for basic record searches.
Property Appraiser
Address: 301 North Olive Avenue, 5th Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Phone: 561-355-2866. Website: pbcpao.gov. Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tax Collector
Address: 301 North Olive Avenue, 3rd Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Phone: 561-355-2264. Email: ClientAdvocate@pbctax.com. Website: pbctax.gov. Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
Property tax records can be confusing, especially for new owners or out-of-state buyers. The questions below cover the most common topics people ask about West Palm Beach city property tax records. Each answer gives clear, current facts based on Florida law and Palm Beach County rules. Use this section to settle disputes, plan payments, or check your records before closing on a home purchase.
How do I look up a property tax bill for a specific address?
Go to the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser website at pbcpao.gov. Type the full street address into the search box on the home page. Once you find the parcel, note the parcel control number. Take that number to the Tax Collector website at pbctax.gov to see the current bill and payment history. Both searches are free and require no login.
Can I see who paid the property tax for a past year?
Yes. Payment history is part of the public record. The Tax Collector office keeps records going back many years. You can view recent payment history online through the pbctax.gov portal using the parcel number. For records older than what is online, contact the Tax Collector office directly with a written request under Chapter 119.
What happens if I miss the March 31 deadline?
After March 31, the bill becomes delinquent. The Tax Collector holds a tax certificate sale in June. Investors buy certificates that earn interest on the unpaid amount. If the debt stays unpaid for about two years, the certificate holder can apply for a tax deed sale. The property can then be sold at public auction. Paying on time avoids these extra costs and risks.
How does the Save Our Homes cap work for new buyers?
New buyers do not get the cap from the previous owner. The cap resets based on the new purchase price. The assessed value cannot grow more than 3 percent each year. This is a key benefit for long-term owners, but new buyers start fresh. The cap only applies to properties with a homestead exemption on file.
Do I need a homestead exemption to search public records?
No. You do not need any exemption to search or view records. All property data is open to the public. The homestead exemption only lowers the tax bill for the property owner who qualifies. Anyone can check values, sales history, and tax bill amounts without owning property in the county.
Are property tax records available for free?
Yes. Online searches on the Property Appraiser and Tax Collector websites are free. In-person help is also free at both offices. Fees only apply if you need paper copies of many records or large data files. Basic record lookups for a single property never cost money.
Can I pay someone else’s property tax bill?
Yes. Anyone can pay another person’s tax bill using the parcel number. This is common for family members, landlords, or property managers. You do not need the owner’s permission to pay the bill. The payment applies to that parcel and stops the late penalties from growing. The Tax Collector accepts payments from any source.