As we say goodbye to 2022, I want to reflect on the past year and share our goals for the future.

This was an interesting year for property valuation in Palm Beach County. Market property values grew 31% from 2021, and taxable property values rose 15%. Westlake, Manalapan, and the Village of Golf showed the largest percentage of taxable value increase from 2021 to 2022. Overall, the market value of all Palm Beach County property is more than $404 billion. More interesting stats and figures can be found at pbcgov.org/PAPA.

As Florida law requires my office to value property based on the status of the real estate market and the property as of Jan. 1 each year, my staff are already gathering information for 2023 assessments. I want to thank my staff for their hard work and commitment to accuracy and excellence. I am proud of every single one of the 220 qualified public servants in my office, as we retain more credentialed appraisal experts than any other jurisdiction in the United States. We determine the taxable value of more than 650,000 parcels and nearly 60,000 tangible personal property accounts in the county.

As we look forward to 2023, my office is looking to improve the service we offer to you on our website. The next time you visit pbcgov.org/PAPA, please take our survey. Your thoughts will help inform the next iteration of our online offerings.

The calendar is changing but our mission remains the same: to value property, administer exemptions, and maintain ownership records for the County fairly, equitably, and in accordance with Florida law.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Property Appraiser. I wish you and your families a safe and happy holiday season.

On the last business day in the month of December, the Property Appraiser’s Office mails a pink and white homestead exemption receipt card to every property owner in Palm Beach County with a homestead exemption. If there are no changes to the use and/or ownership of the property, simply keep the card as your receipt that you have been automatically renewed for another year. However, if there is a change to ownership due to a sale, marriage, divorce, death, or change in property use, call our office at 561.355.2866 or email us at MyExemption@pbcgov.org.

A homestead exemption reduces the assessed value of your property, thereby reducing the amount of property tax you pay by an average of $500. Homestead exemption also qualifies you for the 3% Save our Homes (SOH) cap.