During a press conference Friday morning, Hillsborough County Tax Collector Nancy Millan announced tax relief initiatives for homeowners and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene and Milton.

Millan and other state leaders offered detailed information on eligibility for property tax relief, application processes and key deadlines. You can also find that information by tapping or clicking here.

“In these challenging times, it’s important that we come together as a community and offer every opportunity for relief,” Millan said. “This initiative is part of a much broader effort where all of your local leaders and government officials are all working so hard to provide meaningful support to residents facing financial hardships during these times.”

As Hillsborough County continues to rebuild and recover, Millan said that the tax collector’s office is giving residents and businesses the time and support they need to “rebuild their homes, businesses and their lives.”

While property tax notices are typically sent out on Nov. 1, Millan said the office would be delaying the mail-out of their 2024 property tax notices to Nov. 25.

“In addition, we are going to be extending the 4% discount period until Dec. 31…giving that additional relief for those who have been impacted here in Hillsborough County,” Millan said.

Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Bob “Coach” Henriquez also mentioned that his office spearheaded efforts for aerial photography of the entire county following the storms, helping state and local officials assess damages.

Henriquez described the effort as “a roadmap for the future to make us more resilient and be able to mitigate hazards.”

“God forbid there is a next time,” Henriquez said.

Read the full article here.

Posted on October 18, 2024 by Chris Young

In the wake of Hurricanes Milton and Helene, many people have concerns about their property taxes, and Hillsborough County officials are helping residents find tax relief.

Bob Henriquez is the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser.

He says there are state laws that could help homeowners following a disaster.

One is that people with storm-damaged, uninhabitable homes can keep their homestead exemption for up to five years while they repair and eventually return.

Another law allows people to receive property tax refunds for homes deemed unlivable for over 30 days.

“And that we’re making sure that we’re finding as many ways to reach out to folks and let them know that they have to report that damage to us,” Henriquez said.

Henriquez says property owners have until March 1st to report damages.

Hillsborough Tax Collector Nancy Millan is extending the discount period for early payment of property taxes through the end of the year.

Which would equate to a 4 percent savings for residents.

Millan says the extension is to ensure that residents have more time to take advantage of maximum savings.

“This again allows folks to provide – giving that additional relief for those who have been impacted here in Hillsborough County,” Millan said.

Property tax notices, mailed on November 1st, will now be mailed on November 25th.

*Read the full article here.

Nancy Millan announced tax relief initiatives for homeowners and businesses affected by the storms in a press conference Friday morning.

During a press conference outlining collaborative efforts to assist homeowners and business owners affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene, Hillsborough County Tax Collector Nancy Millan, alongside Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez, State Senator Jay Collins, and County Commission Chair Ken Hagan, announced critical measures to provide property tax relief for those impacted by the storms.

Tax Collector Nancy Millan is extending the 4% early payment discount period through December 31, 2024, to ensure that residents have more time to take advantage of the maximum savings. Property tax notices are typically mailed on November 1; however, this year’s notices will be mailed November 25, 2024. The delayed mailing allows the discount period to be extended under Florida law, providing additional relief to property owners still recovering from hurricane-related damages. Over 535,500 property tax notices will be sent to homeowners and business owners across Hillsborough County.

“In challenging times like these, it’s essential that we come together as a community and offer every opportunity for relief,” said Nancy Millan, Hillsborough County Tax Collector. “By delaying the mailing of tax notices and extending the discount period, we’re giving residents and businesses the time and support they need to rebuild their homes, businesses, and lives, while continuing to meet our obligation under Florida law to collect the tax revenue that supports vital services like schools and law enforcement.”

Key Facts About the 2024 Property Tax Notices:

• Property tax notices, typically mailed on November 1, will now be mailed on November 25, 2024, for the 2024 property tax year.
• Over 535,500 tax bills will be sent to property and business owners in Hillsborough County.
• The 4% discount period has been extended until December 31, 2024, to provide additional relief for those impacted by the hurricanes.
• Although 2024 property tax notices will not be mailed until November 25, 2024, the 2024 Real Estate and Tangible Personal Property Tax information will be available online starting October 28, 2024, at hillstax.org. Property owners can still make payment beginning November 1.
• Property taxes are paid in arrears. The tax bills that will be mailed November 25, 2024, reflect an assessed property value as of January 1, 2024, and do not account for any property damage caused by Hurricanes Helene or Milton.

By law, 2024 property taxes are due by March 31, 2025, unless an extension is provided under the current Executive Order. Residents whose property taxes are paid through escrow should contact their mortgage companies for more information on the remittance of escrowed property tax payments.

This initiative is part of a broader effort by local leaders and government officials to provide meaningful support to residents facing financial hardship due to the storms. Together, they are working to ensure that the community has access to the resources and relief needed to rebuild.

For more information about property taxes, payment options, and available resources, please visit hillstax.org or contact the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office.

*Read the full article here.

Hillsborough County and the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) are establishing a third Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) for individuals impacted by Hurricanes Milton, Helene, and Debby. The MARC will be staffed with personnel from federal, state, regional partners, and nonprofit agencies to ensure residents have access to all available resources following the storm events.

The newest Multi-Agency Resource Center will opened on October 19 at the Ruskin Tax Collector’s Office, 406 30th St SE, Ruskin, FL 33570. The center will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Two additional MARCs are already operating at the following locations and times:

• Town ‘N Country Regional Public Library, 7606 Paula Dr. No. 120, Tampa, FL 33615, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Florida Strawbery Festival TECO Expo Hall, 2301 W. Oak Ave., Plant City, FL 33563, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The MARC is open to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits seeking assistance or needing help in completing applications after being impacted by Hurricanes Milton, Helene, or Debby.

Additionally, Hillsborough County has created a webpage with local, state, and national resources available to residents as they recover from the storms. Residents can find these resources at HCFL.gov/StormRecovery.

Get Connected. Stay Alert.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to register for HCFL Alert, Hillsborough County’s official public notification system for emergency and urgent alerts. To receive messages by email, phone, and text, go to HCFL.gov/HCFLAlert. For the latest emergency-related information visit HCFL.gov/StaySafe. Residents without digital access are encouraged to call (833) HC STORM, or (833) 427-8676, the County’s storm information and helpline.

*Read the full article here.

Local and state leaders announced critical resources and aid for residents in Town ‘n’ Country, a census-designated area severely impacted by Helene and Milton.

Author: Patrick Henkels
Published: 2:03 PM EDT October 20, 2024
Updated: 2:03 PM EDT October 20, 2024
Facebook
TOWN ‘N’ COUNTRY, Fla. — In a press conference on Sunday, local and state leaders announced critical resources and aid for residents in Town ‘n’ Country, a census-designated area severely impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Many homes in the area were destroyed as a result of the back-to-back storms, and leaders took time to outline support to help residents recover and rebuild.

“What made this neighborhood so special is that it wasn’t asked to evacuate and it flooded anyway,” said Harry Cohen, Hillsborough County District 1 Commissioner. “And that has created a lot of extra challenges that we wanted to make sure that we came here to specifically address.”

County leaders added that debris removal will still be a major priority, as trucks are already beginning to comb through the neighborhood for non-vegetative debris.

“The vegetative debris will come later,” Cohen said.

Later at this Wednesday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting, Cohen said that officials will direct the county administrator “to put every possible resource and every non-essential resource” into cleaning up debris.

Secondly, Cohen said that an investigation will be launched regarding some streets in Town ‘n’ Country that were recently repaved and flooding worse than they were beforehand.

Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm near Siesta Key on Florida’s Gulf Coast on Oct. 10.

For more recovery updates in Hillsborough County, including resources and other important information, click here.

*Read the full article here.

Following recent office closures caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office is offering two special Saturday events to support the community: Special Saturday Hours and the Student Saturday Event. Both events will take place on Saturday, October 26. See below for details about the two events, happening at two different Tax Collector locations.

Special Saturday Hours:

To help residents catch up on essential services after the hurricane, the Brandon Tax Collector’s Office will be open to the public for walk-in services.

Date: Saturday, October 26.

Location: Brandon Tax Collector’s Office, 3030 North Falkenburg Road, Tampa, Florida 33619.

Time: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Available walk-in services will include:

• Limited Driver License Services (renewals, replacements and address changes).
• Motor Vehicle Registrations and Title Services.
• Dealer Services.
• Property Tax.
• Business Tax.

Student Saturday Event:

High school and college students in Hillsborough County will have the opportunity to participate in an exclusive Student Saturday Event at the East Tampa location. This event allows students to complete their written or road skills tests and receive their driver licenses or learner’s permits.

Date: Saturday, October 26.

Location: East Tampa Tax Collector’s Office, 2814 E. Hillsborough Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33610.

Time: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (appointments required).

Services exclusively for students (by appointment) will include:

• Road Tests.
• Written Tests.
• Driver License & Learner’s Permit Issuance.

For more information about these events or to schedule an appointment for the Student Saturday Event, the public is encouraged to visit hillstax.org.

Quote from Tax Collector Nancy Millan:

“These special Saturday events are an important way for us to provide vital services to the community, especially for those who may not be able to visit our offices during regular business hours. Our goal is to offer additional resources and ensure that residents impacted by the storm have the support they need during this challenging time,” said Nancy Millan, Hillsborough County Tax Collector.

*Read the full article here.