It’s July, and that means it’s almost time for the 2025 Value Adjustment Board process to begin.
What does the Value Adjustment Board do?
The Value Adjustment Board (VAB) settles disputes between taxpayers and the County’s Property Appraiser. Taxpayers are notified in August of their property’s assessed and market values in a Truth in Millage (TRIM) notice. A taxpayer may file a petition with the Value Adjustment Board if he or she feels the Property Appraiser’s assessment, classification or exemption status for their property is not correct.
The VAB is an independent entity and is not affiliated with the Property Appraiser or the Tax Collector. Board membership consists of two county commissioners, one school board member and two citizen members who approve and appoint special magistrates to settle disputes during scheduled quasi-judicial hearings.
At a VAB hearing on value, the special magistrate will determine if the assessment complies with applicable law and professionally accepted appraisal practices. This determination is based on evidence produced by the parties. The special magistrate will also determine if the market value exceeds just value (or is less than just value, if applicable) based on evidence produced by the parties. At a VAB hearing involving denial of a classification or exemption, or involving portability transfer, the special magistrate will determine if the petitioner is entitled to the classification, exemption, or portability transfer requested by the petitioner based on evidence produced by the parties. A taxpayer may institute legal action in the circuit court at any time during the VAB process.
As Clerk of the VAB, the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s office processes VAB petitions, maintains a VAB database, schedules and records special magistrate hearings, and coordinates meetings of the Value Adjustment Board.
What’s new for the 2025 Value Adjustment Board cycle?
Florida House Bill 7031, also known as The Taxation Bill, was signed into law on June 30, 2025. This bill contained several elements pertaining to Value Adjustment Board processing. A significant change brought about by this legislation allows the Value Adjustment Board to adopt a maximum VAB petition fee of $50.00 per parcel, versus the previous maximum of $15.00 per parcel.
Based on the proposed TRIM notice mailing date, petitions for the 2025 Value Adjustment Board cycle will be due by 5:00 PM, Friday, September 12, 2025. You can file your petition here.
