Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office Prepares Community for
a New Statewide Education Requirement for Teen Drivers

TAMPA, Fla., June 25, 2025 – The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office is informing parents and guardians that new state requirements for teen drivers aged 15-17 will take effect on July 1, 2025, following legislation recently signed by Governor DeSantis.

As the local agent for FLHSMV, the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office will implement these state-mandated changes, which require teen drivers to complete a new 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course instead of the current 4-hour Traffic Law Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course before getting their learner’s permit.

Key Dates and Transition Period:

Transition Period runs from July 1 – July 31, 2025

• From July 1^st through July 31^st, the current 4-hour TLSAE course OR the new 6-hour DETS course will be accepted
• This transition period provides families flexibility during the initial implementation month

Grandfathering Provisions through July 31, 2025

• Teens aged 14 to 17 who complete the TLSAE course by July 31^st will be grandfathered in
• TLSAE completion certificates issued on or before July 31, 2025 will remain valid for one year from the completion date
• Important: If teens who completed the TLSAE on or before July 31, 2025 do NOT obtain their learner’s permit within one year, they will need to complete the new 6-hour DETS course

Beginning August 1, 2025

• All new applicants under age 18 must complete the 6-hour DETS course
• The 4-hour TLSAE course will not be accepted for applicants under 18 (unless the course was taken on or before July 31, 2025)
• Applicants aged 18 or older will continue using the 4-hour TLSAE course

The following groups will NOT be impacted by these new requirements:

• Teens who were issued a Florida learner’s permit prior to August 1, 2025
• Applicants under age 18 transferring to Florida with an out-of-state license
• All applicants aged 18 or older

“We want to ensure our community is well-informed about these upcoming changes,” said Nancy Millan, Hillsborough County Tax Collector. “As we implement these state guidelines, our offices remain committed to providing excellent service to all families navigating the licensing process.”

Course Requirements:

The new 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course must meet or exceed the Florida Department of Education course description for Traffic Safety Classroom 1900300. FLHSMV will approve providers through a new application process.

Parents seeking information about approved course providers can visit the FLHSMV website at: https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/education-courses/driver-improvement-schools/traffic-law-substance-abuse-education-tlsae-find-approved-listing-tlsae-course-providers/

As always, all teen applicants must also provide Real ID documents, proof of address, and parental consent when applying for their learner’s permit or driver license.

The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office continues to work closely with FLHSMV to ensure smooth implementation of these new requirements and will provide updates as additional information becomes available.

For more information about driver license services, visit http://www.hillstaxfl.gov/drivers-license-id/.

Record-breaking participation highlights successful fourth year of program that has raised over $104,000 for school art programs

TAMPA, Fla., April 18, 2025 – The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office (HCTC) celebrated the artistic talents of fifth-grade students across the county at the annual Kids Tag Art Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, April 16, at Jefferson High School. The event recognized outstanding young artists while raising critical funds to support art education in Hillsborough County schools.

The 2024-2025 program saw participation from a record-breaking 65 schools, with over 3,100 student artists submitting original designs for specialty license plates. This represents significant growth for the program, which is now in its fourth year and has raised over $104,000 for Hillsborough County school art programs since its inception.

“These young artists continue to amaze us with their creativity and talent,” said Hillsborough County Tax Collector Nancy Millan. “The Kids Tag Art program not only showcases their artistic abilities but also provides essential funding for art teachers to purchase much needed art supplies for the classroom. We’re incredibly proud to see the program grow each year, benefiting more students and schools while highlighting the importance of arts in education.”

The ceremony recognized top artists from each participating school, with special recognitions including:

• Tax Collector’s Choice Award: A talented student from Bevis Elementary
• Title Sponsor’s Choice Award (Suncoast Credit Union): A creative artist from Collins K-8 School
• TECO Powerful Art Award: An innovative designer from Robinson Elementary
• Best Teacher Artwork Award: An artistic educator from Apollo Beach K-8 School

School Board Chair Jessica Vaughn, who served as a judge for this year’s program, addressed the audience and congratulated the young artists on their achievements. Representatives from Suncoast Credit Union and TECO also attended to present their respective sponsor awards, and the Florida Aquarium awarded each school’s winner with four tickets to the Florida Aquarium.

This year, the program expanded its product offerings to include mouse pads, keychains, and ceramic mugs featuring the students’ artwork, in addition to the metal license plates. Families, educators, and community members can purchase student-designed license plates and other products online at www.hillstaxfl.gov. All proceeds from sales go directly back to school art programs to purchase classroom art supplies, with participating schools receiving an average of $800 each.

The Kids Tag Art program is made possible through partnerships with the Hillsborough Education Foundation and Hillsborough County Public Schools, along with the generous support of sponsors, including:

• Title Sponsor – Suncoast Credit Union
• TECO
• Derrick Brooks Charities
• Florida West Coast Credit Union
• Tampa Museum of Art
• Glazer Children’s Museum
• Keith Fakhoury
• Adele S. Bernett Memorial Fund
• The Florida Aquarium

Click here for event photos.

For more information about the Kids Tag Art program or to purchase products, visit www.hillstaxfl.gov/shop.

The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office will be closed on President’s Day, Monday, February 17th, for staff training day.

“Ongoing professional development is crucial to maintaining the high standards of service our community deserves,” said Tax Collector Nancy Millan. “This training day represents our commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in serving Hillsborough County residents.”

While offices will be closed, residents can still access many services through the Tax Collector’s website at hillstax.org, available 24/7, for routine transactions such as vehicle registration renewals. Self-service kiosks located at select Publix locations throughout the county are also available for use.

Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, February 18th. For more information about online services or kiosk locations, please visit hillstax.org.

 

About Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office:

The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office is responsible for collecting and distributing local property, tangible, business, and tourist development taxes, ensuring the funding of vital services at the state and local levels. As an agent for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, we provide motor vehicle, vessel, and mobile home titles and registrations, issue driver licenses and ID cards, and administer written and road tests. We also issue disabled parking permits, collect tolls, and clear toll violations.

In partnership with other state and local agencies, we offer additional services such as issuing certified copies of Florida birth certificates, concealed weapons permits, vehicle for hire permits, and hunting and fishing licenses. The taxes and fees collected are distributed in accordance with Florida Statutes to the appropriate agencies or municipalities.

At the core of our work is a commitment to empowering our community through accessible, innovative, and convenient services. Guided by the values of doing the right thing, going the extra mile, and working together as #TeamHCTC, we strive to lead the way in amazing service experiences. For more information, visit hillstax.org

 

 

The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office has released its Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report, highlighting significant achievements and demonstrating the office’s commitment to providing exceptional service.

In FY2024, the office achieved remarkable milestones, serving over 1 million customers in branch offices while maintaining an impressive 93.9% overall customer satisfaction rating and a 4.87 Google Review rating. The office successfully returned $29.5 million in excess (unused) fees to Hillsborough County and other taxing authorities.

“This comprehensive report demonstrates our commitment to transparency, efficiency, and exceptional service,” said Tax Collector Nancy Millan. “Throughout 2024, our office achieved significant milestones while successfully navigating challenges, showcasing our resilience through enhanced technology and expanded community outreach programs. These improvements have strengthened public trust and service delivery.”

The report also outlines the office’s strategic vision for 2025 and beyond, which includes expanding physical presence with new offices in northwest and southeast Hillsborough County, bringing services and a registration renewal kiosk to MacDill Air Force Base, and deploying a fully functional mobile office to bring essential services to the community and underserved areas.

The Tax Collector’s Office maintained strong community support and engagement through the Kids Tag Art Program, which has raised over $100,000 for Hillsborough County Schools since 2021. The Tax Collector team donated 41,428 school supplies for the Hillsborough Education Foundation and partnered with Metropolitan Ministries, contributing 2,546 donated items and $2,139 in financial contributions. The team also participated in Paint Your Heart Out Tampa and Feeding Tampa Bay programs.

In conjunction with the annual report, Tax Collector Millan will be sharing additional insights through a State of the Organization video, which can be viewed at http://www.hillstaxfl.gov/state-of-the-organization/.

The complete FY2024 Annual Report is available at hillstax.org.

Nancy Millan took the oath of office for her second term as Hillsborough County Tax Collector during an investiture ceremony on Thursday, January 9th. Former Public Defender Julianne Holt administered the oath during the ceremony, which was hosted by George Lorenzo of Lorenzo and Lorenzo Law.

Millan, who ran unopposed for her second term, has established a strong track record of enhancing accessibility, driving innovation, and improving service experiences for Hillsborough County residents since first taking office.

“I am deeply honored to continue serving the people of Hillsborough County,” said Millan. “In my first term, we made significant strides in modernizing our services and making them more accessible to our customers. I’m excited to build on this foundation and further enhance the way we serve our community in the years ahead.”

Distinguished guests at the ceremony included Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Representative Fentrice Driskell, Representative Danny Alvarez, Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer, Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez, State Attorney Suzy Lopez, as well as numerous civic and community leaders. The event celebrated Millan’s commitment to public service and her vision for the Tax Collector’s office.

Under Millan’s leadership, the office served over 1 million customers in its branch offices in fiscal year 2024, a 25 percent increase since she took office in 2021.  The Tax Collector’s office continues to receive consistently high customer satisfaction ratings, with a 94% customer satisfaction rating and a Google review rating of 4.8 stars in fiscal year 2024.  The office has also been recognized three years in a row, receiving several Top Workplaces National Culture Excellence Awards, for Innovation, Purpose & Values, and Woman-Led Business. Millan’s second term will focus on expanding the office’s footprint in Hillsborough County to enhance customer convenience and continuing to implement innovative solutions while maintaining the highest standards of customer service.

Click here to see photos from the event.

The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office is getting in to the holiday spirit as they announce the launch of its annual holiday drives in support of Metropolitan Ministries for Thanksgiving and Christmas. As the community continues to recover from the recent storms, the spirit of giving back is more important than ever. The Tax Collector’s Office is committed to helping families during this challenging time and is calling on the community to join them in making a significant impact this holiday season.

This past year, the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office was honored with the prestigious 2024 Holiday Hero award from Metropolitan Ministries for hosting one of the largest holiday donation drives in Tampa Bay. With this recognition, the Tax Collector’s Office aims to surpass last year’s efforts and make an even bigger difference.

“Our community has been through so much recently, and it’s more important than ever to come together and support one another,” said Nancy Millan, Hillsborough County Tax Collector. “We are incredibly grateful to receive the Holiday Hero award, but our work isn’t done. We’re asking everyone to join us in making this year’s holiday drives the most successful yet. Your generosity can truly change lives.”

Customers are encouraged to drop off non-perishable food items, gifts for children, and other donations at any Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office location. All donations will directly support families through Metropolitan Ministries, ensuring that those in need have access to meals and necessities during the holiday season.

For more information about Metropolitan Ministries and their amazing work, visit metromin.org. For more information on donation drop-off locations and hours of operation, please visit hillstax.org.

About Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office:

The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office is responsible for collecting and distributing local property, tangible, business, and tourist development taxes, ensuring the funding of vital services at the state and local levels. As an agent for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, we provide motor vehicle, vessel, and mobile home titles and registrations, issue driver licenses and ID cards, and administer written and road tests. We also issue disabled parking permits, collect tolls, and clear toll violations.

In partnership with other state and local agencies, we offer additional services such as issuing certified copies of Florida birth certificates, concealed weapons permits, vehicle for hire permits, and hunting and fishing licenses. The taxes and fees collected are distributed in accordance with Florida Statutes to the appropriate agencies or municipalities.

At the core of our work is a commitment to empowering our community through accessible, innovative, and convenient services. Guided by the values of doing the right thing, going the extra mile, and working together as #TeamHCTC, we strive to lead the way in amazing service experiences. For more information, visit hillstax.org

 

The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office will be closed on Monday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day, honoring the sacrifices and service of the nation’s veterans. Regular business hours will resume on Tuesday, November 12.

“We are grateful for the service and dedication of our veterans,” said Nancy Millan, Hillsborough County Tax Collector. “Their contributions to our country deserve our deepest respect, and we join the community in honoring them this Veterans Day.”

Customers are reminded that, while offices are closed, many services remain available 24/7 through the Tax Collector’s website at hillstax.org. Online services include registration renewals, property tax payments, and more.

Additionally, residents can use self-service registration renewal kiosks located inside select Publix stores across Hillsborough County. These kiosks allow customers to complete renewals quickly and easily without needing to visit an office.

For more information on online services and Publix kiosk locations, please visit hillstax.org

The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office will reopen three locations on Tuesday, October 15th to serve the community following the impacts of Hurricane Milton. The offices reopening are:

• Brandon Office: 3030 N Falkenburg Rd, Brandon, FL 33619
• Drew Park Office: 4100 W Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Tampa, FL 33614
• North Tampa Office: 3011 University Center Dr, Tampa, FL 33612

The safety of both the community and staff remains the top priority, and more locations will
reopen as soon as possible.

Anticipated High Demand
As the Tax Collector’s Office resumes operations, it is anticipated that demand will be extremely high in the coming weeks. With storm-related closures delaying services, customers may experience longer wait times at reopened locations.

Online Services and Publix Kiosks
To help ease wait times, many services, including vehicle registration renewals and property tax payments, remain available online at hillstax.org. Additionally, self-service kiosks for vehicle registration renewals are available at eight Publix locations throughout the county, subject to store hours.

Honoring Appointments Affected by Office Closures
For customers who had scheduled appointments during the closures, the Tax Collector’s Office will honor all appointments through November 13th. Customers can visit any open location without rescheduling, or they may choose to reschedule their appointment for a later time.

Statement from Tax Collector Nancy Millan
“Reopening our offices after such a challenging time is a testament to the strength and resilience of our team and our community,” said Nancy Millan, Hillsborough County Tax Collector. “As we recover from Hurricane Milton, we remain committed to providing amazing service experiences. We appreciate your patience and are here to help as we move forward together.”

Staying Informed
The Tax Collector’s Office will continue to provide updates on additional office reopenings and recovery efforts. For the latest information, visit hillstax.org or follow the office on social media.

About Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office:

The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office is responsible for collecting and distributing local property, tangible, business, and tourist development taxes. In addition, as an agent for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, they provide motor vehicle, vessel and mobile home titles and registrations, issue disabled parking permits, issue driver licenses and ID cards, and administer written tests and road tests. They also collect tolls and clear toll violations as part of motor vehicle transactions.

Additionally, they partner with other state and local government agencies to issue certified copies of Florida birth certificates and to provide concealed weapons permits, vehicle for hire permits, and hunting and fishing licenses.

The taxes and fees collected are distributed in accordance with Florida Statute to the appropriate agency or municipality to fund vital services at the state and local levels.

For more information about the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office, visit their website at hillstax.org.

Tampa, FL — October 6, 2024 – Due to the approaching Tropical Storm Milton, the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office will close at 12:00 PM on Monday, October 7th and remain closed on Tuesday, October 8th and Wednesday, October 9th. This precaution is being taken to ensure the safety of the community and team members.

Important Documents to Keep Safe
As the storm nears, residents are reminded to gather and protect essential identifying documents in the event of an evacuation or emergency. These documents include:

• Driver’s license or state-issued ID
• Social Security cards
• Birth certificates
• Insurance policies (home, auto, health)
• Deeds or leases
• Recent utility bills (to prove residence)

Online Services and Kiosk Options
While the offices will be closed, residents are encouraged to utilize online services at hillstax.org to renew vehicle registrations, pay property taxes, and access other services. Self-service kiosks located at eight Publix locations throughout Hillsborough County will also be available for vehicle registration renewals, pending store hours and any closures due to the storm.

Statement from Tax Collector Nancy Millan
Nancy Millan, Hillsborough County Tax Collector, emphasized the importance of safety during this time, especially following the recent impacts of Hurricane Helene. “We urge our community to take Tropical Storm Milton seriously and prioritize safety. Now is the time to secure your important documents and prepare,” Millan said. “Our online services will remain available, and we will reopen to serve our community as soon as it’s safe to do so.”

Stay Informed
Updates regarding office closures and storm-related information will be posted on the Tax Collector’s website and social media channels. For the latest updates, visit hillstax.org or follow the office on social media.

 

About Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office:

The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office is responsible for collecting and distributing local property, tangible, business, and tourist development taxes. In addition, as an agent for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, they provide motor vehicle, vessel and mobile home titles and registrations, issue disabled parking permits, issue driver licenses and ID cards, and administer written tests and road tests. They also collect tolls and clear toll violations as part of motor vehicle transactions.

Additionally, they partner with other state and local government agencies to issue certified copies of Florida birth certificates and to provide concealed weapons permits, vehicle for hire permits, and hunting and fishing licenses.

The taxes and fees collected are distributed in accordance with Florida Statute to the appropriate agency or municipality to fund vital services at the state and local levels.

For more information about the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office, visit their website at hillstax.org.