Duval Property Tax: Rates, Exemptions & Appeals (2026)

As of July 30, 2026, Duval has not yet published the exact 2026 VAB appeal deadline; the official rule is that your petition must be received by the Value Adjustment Board by the 25th day after the TRIM notice is mailed, and Duval says the date will appear on the bottom-right of your TRIM notice. File online at the Duval VAB portal, or mail/hand-deliver paper petitions to Clerk of the Value Adjustment Board, 117 W. Duval Street, Suite 305, Jacksonville, FL 32202; ordinary assessment petitions use Form DR-486 and the 2026 filing fee is $50 per parcel unless a waiver/reduction applies.

How assessments work in Duval

Duval’s 2026 tax roll is based on the property’s condition and market value as of January 1, 2026. The Duval County Property Appraiser estimates “just value” or market value using prior-year sales, comparable properties, and Florida’s statutory appraisal factors. The Property Appraiser’s office says TRIM notices are mailed in mid-to-late August; the TRIM notice is not a bill, but it shows market value, assessed value, taxable value, exemptions, and proposed millage rates.

The value to focus on is not always the one that first catches your eye. Market/just value is the appraiser’s estimate of sale value for tax purposes. Assessed value is market value after assessment caps: homesteaded property is generally capped by Save Our Homes, and non-homestead property generally has a 10% assessment cap. Taxable value is assessed value minus exemptions, and it can differ by taxing authority because some exemptions do not apply to school taxes.

For most City of Jacksonville homeowners outside the beaches and Baldwin, the latest final millage chart available before the 2026 final rates are adopted is the 2025 GS/USD1 total rate of 17.7412 mills. Jacksonville Beach was 18.4452, Atlantic Beach 17.2004, Neptune Beach 17.8161, and Baldwin 18.9701. The 2026 final millage is set later, after public budget hearings, so use your 2026 TRIM notice for the proposed rate and the later tax bill for the final bill.

The Property Appraiser does not set tax rates or collect taxes. Millage is set by the taxing authorities; tax bills are handled by the Tax Collector.

Whether you should appeal

Appeal if you can prove the January 1, 2026 value is too high, or if Duval denied an exemption, classification, portability transfer, or similar benefit you believe you qualified for. The best residential evidence is usually a short list of comparable closed sales before January 1, photos showing condition problems, a recent appraisal, or documentation that the property record has wrong square footage, building features, pool status, quality, or land characteristics.

Be careful if you have a long-time homestead with a big Save Our Homes cap. Duval’s own Save Our Homes FAQ says that when you file a VAB petition you are challenging market value, not the capped assessed value. If your market value is $420,000 but your SOH assessed value is $300,000, reducing market value to $395,000 may not lower this year’s tax bill because the capped assessed value still controls. It may still matter for future years, but the immediate savings could be zero.

Published local results do not show easy wins. The Florida Department of Revenue’s latest county profile I found reports Duval’s 2024 VAB results as 5,830 parcels filed, 673 parcels heard, 69 parcels approved, $19,198,454 in taxable value reduction, and $343,386 in tax shift due to board action. I did not find an official Duval median residential reduction or homeowner-only success rate.

Worked example using Duval’s actual latest Jacksonville GS/USD1 total millage: assume a newly purchased, owner-occupied Jacksonville home has no SOH gap yet and you prove the 2026 just value should be $25,000 lower. If that full $25,000 flows through to taxable value, estimated annual ad valorem savings are: $25,000 × 17.7412 ÷ 1,000 = $443.53. Non-ad valorem assessments, such as flat fees or special assessments, generally do not fall just because your value appeal succeeds.

Step-by-step how to file

1. Read the 2026 TRIM notice immediately. Duval’s VAB page says the 2026 deadline is still “TBD” as of July 30, 2026, and will be printed on the TRIM notice. The statutory appeal period is 25 days from mailing. Do not rely on a postmark; Duval says the petition and fee must be physically received by the deadline.

2. Try an informal review, but do not wait on it. The Property Appraiser encourages an informal review if you disagree with value or exemption treatment, but the state DR-486 form and Duval both warn that an informal conference does not extend the VAB filing deadline.

3. Use the right form. For a normal residential value appeal, use DR-486, Petition to the Value Adjustment Board — Request for Hearing. For portability, use DR-486PORT. For tax deferral or penalties, use DR-486DP. If an agent represents you, use DR-486A or DR-486POA if needed. Multiple contiguous parcels may require DR-486MU.

4. Choose a filing method. Duval allows online filing through the Axia VAB portal. Paper petitions may be mailed or hand-delivered to Value Adjustment Board, 117 West Duval Street, Suite 305, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Duval’s FAQ says initial petitions are not accepted by email or fax because the filing fee must be paid when filed.

5. Pay the fee. Duval lists the 2026 VAB petition fee as $50 per parcel. Online credit-card filing carries a convenience fee. In-person filers pay cash, check, or money order; checks and money orders are payable to Duval County Tax Collector. The fee is waived for certain timely homestead-exemption denial appeals, tax-deferral denial appeals, and qualifying temporary-assistance documentation. Joint/multiple similar parcels can be $50 for the first parcel and $5 for each additional parcel if the required Property Appraiser determination is supplied.

What happens after

The appeal authority is the Duval County Value Adjustment Board (VAB). It is independent of the Property Appraiser and has five members: two Jacksonville City Council members, one Duval County School Board member, and two citizen members. Duval uses Special Magistrates as neutral hearing officers; they hear evidence and prepare recommended decisions, while the VAB makes final decisions.

At a typical hearing, you, a Property Appraiser representative, and the Special Magistrate are present. Duval says hearings are open to the public, but it is rare for others to attend. The Property Appraiser first tries to support the assessment and earn the statutory presumption of correctness; you then present contrary evidence. Bring copies for your own records and for the Property Appraiser.

For 2026 hearings, plan on the newer evidence-exchange rule: at least 15 days before the hearing, both sides must exchange the list/summary of evidence and copies of documents they will present. The VAB sends hearing notice at least 25 days before the hearing. DR-486 also allows a non-oral option: check the box saying you will not attend but want your evidence considered, and submit duplicate copies of evidence to the VAB clerk.

Do not stop paying taxes because you appealed. Duval states that 2026 property taxes are due March 31, 2027. If your VAB case is still pending near delinquency, Florida law generally requires all non-ad valorem assessments plus at least 75% of ad valorem taxes for value appeals, or the petition can be denied.

Written decisions can take time. State materials say the VAB issues written decisions after the board completes its session, and Duval’s FAQ warns that because thousands of petitions may be reviewed, you may not receive a written decision for several months after the hearing.

Local tips

Check exemptions before you spend time on a value fight. Duval’s homestead exemption can remove up to $50,000 from assessed value, although the second $25,000 does not apply to school taxes. Homestead also triggers Save Our Homes, which limits 2026 assessed-value increases to the lesser of CPI or 3%; Duval lists the 2026 SOH cap percentage as 2.7%.

If you are 65 or older, look at Duval’s senior exemptions. For 2026, Duval lists the limited-income threshold as $38,686 in prior-year household income. One senior exemption can be up to $50,000 for county/municipal millages; the long-term senior exemption requires 25 years of permanent residency, income qualification, homestead, age 65+, and just value under $250,000.

If you bought in 2025, do not assume the seller’s exemptions continue for you. Duval’s TRIM page warns that seller exemptions and SOH caps are removed for the next year, and you must apply for your own homestead and portability if eligible. That is often the real reason a new owner’s 2026 assessment jumps.

Duval Property Tax Rate

Current final Duval County property-tax millage varies by taxing district. 2025 final total millages: General Services/Old City of Jacksonville 17.7412 mills; Jacksonville Beach 18.4452 mills; Atlantic Beach 17.2004 mills; Neptune Beach 17.8161 mills; Town of Baldwin 18.9701 mills. One mill equals $1 per $1,000 of taxable value.

Source: https://www.jacksonville.gov/departments/property-appraiser/millage-rates/2025-final-millage-chart

When Are Property Taxes Due in Duval?

Annual real estate tax notices are sent in November; the last day to pay current real estate property taxes is March 31 following the assessment year, and unpaid current taxes become delinquent April 1. Installment plan is available if estimated property taxes are over $100; apply on or before April 30. Installment due dates: June 30, September 30, December 31, and March 31. If the first installment is not paid by July 31, the account is removed from the plan without penalty and taxes are billed annually in November. Early-payment discounts for current real estate property taxes: 4% if paid in November, 3% in December, 2% in January, 1% in February, and no discount in March.

This is not the same as the assessment appeal deadline above. The appeal deadline is your window to contest your assessed value; the payment due date is when the resulting tax bill must be paid. Missing one does not affect the other, but missing either has real consequences — one forfeits your right to appeal for the year, the other can trigger penalties and interest.

Source: https://taxcollector.jacksonville.gov/taxes/property-taxes/real-estate-taxes

Property Tax Exemptions in Duval

• Homestead Exemption — Legal Florida residents who own and occupy the property as their permanent residence on January 1.. Up to $50,000 off assessed value: first $25,000 applies to all property taxes; additional up to $25,000 applies to assessed value over $50,000 and does not apply to school millage. Also triggers Save Our Homes assessment cap. Yes, initial application; automatically renewed each year if there are no changes in ownership, use, or primary residence status. Apply by March 1 each year for timely filing; late filing permitted through the 25th day after TRIM notices are mailed in mid-August.. (Source: https://www.jacksonville.gov/Departments/Property-Appraiser/Exemptions)
• Senior Citizen Additional Homestead Exemption - limited income — Property owners age 65 or older as of January 1, 2026, who already have Homestead Exemption and meet the household income limit.. Up to $50,000; applies to county and municipal millages only. 2026 exemption income limit is $38,686 based on prior-year household income. Yes; Duval 501 and DR501SC income statement are required. Starting in 2022, senior exemptions auto-renew unless the taxpayer no longer qualifies. Apply by March 1 each year; late applications may be accepted up to 25 days after TRIM notices are mailed in mid-August.. (Source: https://www.jacksonville.gov/departments/property-appraiser/exemptions/senior-citizen-homestead-exemptions)
• Senior Citizen Additional Homestead Exemption - long-term residency — Property owners age 65 or older as of January 1, 2026, with Homestead Exemption, limited household income, uninterrupted permanent residency on the property for at least 25 years, and just value under $250,000.. Exempts the ad valorem City of Jacksonville portion of property taxes up to the home's assessed value; also applies to municipality tax levies that adopted the ordinance. Yes; property owners must apply for this new exemption even if they already have the limited-income senior exemption. Duval 501 and DR501SC income statement are required. Apply by March 1 each year; late applications may be accepted up to 25 days after TRIM notices are mailed in mid-August.. (Source: https://www.jacksonville.gov/departments/property-appraiser/exemptions/senior-citizen-homestead-exemptions)
• Widow/Widower Exemption — Permanent Florida resident who is a widow or widower and has not remarried; a person divorced before the spouse's death is not considered a widow/widower for this exemption.. $5,000 exemption. Yes; death certificate required when filing for the first time. Apply by March 1 each year; late applications may be accepted through the 25th day after TRIM notices are mailed in mid-August.. (Source: https://www.jacksonville.gov/departments/property-appraiser/exemptions/other-exemptions)
• Blindness Exemption — Florida resident who is blind as defined by Florida law; certification from the Division of Blind Services, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or other accepted proof is required.. $5,000 exemption. Yes. Apply by March 1 each year; late applications may be accepted through the 25th day after TRIM notices are mailed in mid-August.. (Source: https://www.jacksonville.gov/departments/property-appraiser/exemptions/other-exemptions)
• Disability Exemption — Florida residents who are totally and permanently disabled; first-time filers must present proof such as a certificate from a licensed Florida physician or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.. $5,000 exemption. Yes. Apply by March 1 each year; late applications may be accepted through the 25th day after TRIM notices are mailed in mid-August.. (Source: https://www.jacksonville.gov/departments/property-appraiser/exemptions/other-exemptions)

How to Look Up Your Property Record in Duval

You can look up your property's official record at https://paopropertysearch.coj.net/Basic/Search.aspx. The Duval County Property Appraiser property search allows searches by real estate number, owner name, address, or map view and displays Duval real estate parcel information, parcel descriptions, daily-updated parcel data, last certified tax-roll values, and current in-progress values.