Boca Raton Property Taxes
Maureen Harmonay
Overview of Property Taxes in Boca Raton
How Property Taxes Are Calculated
Florida property taxes come in two flavors: ad valorem, which rise and fall with your home’s assessed value, and non-ad valorem fees for things like trash or street lights.
The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser sets the assessment each January 1, then the tax collector multiplies your taxable value by the combined millage rate voted on by the county, city, school district, and other taxing authorities.
A mill is just one-tenth of a cent, so a 20-mill rate equals about 2% of value. The county even keeps a handy online property tax calculator if you want to double-check the math.
Current Property Tax Rates and Millage Rates
For the 2025 tax year, the City of Boca Raton plans to charge 3.6476 mills for operations and 0.0173 mills for debt service, barely a penny less than last year.
Add the county, school board, and special districts, and most homeowners see an effective rate near 18–19 mills, or roughly 0.9%, slightly higher than the statewide average but still lower than many northern states.
Taxable Value vs. Assessed Value
Your assessed value is the market number placed on the property by the appraiser.
After filing any exemption you qualify for, you’re left with a lower taxable base.
That taxable figure, not the market price, gets multiplied by the millage rate to create your annual bill.
Example of a Boca Raton Property Tax Calculation
Say you just closed on a $600,000 home.
The county later assesses it at $580,000.
You file a $50,000 homestead exemption (more on that shortly), dropping the taxable value to $530,000.
At a combined 19-mill rate, the annual property tax comes to about $10,070 before any non-ad valorem fees.
It’s math you can do yourself with the county’s online calculator, but this example shows the moving parts in action.
Exemptions and Reductions Available
Homestead Exemption
Florida’s signature break knocks up to $50,000 off the assessed value of a primary residence and caps future increases at 3%.
You apply with the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser by March 1 using Form DR-501 from the Florida Department of Revenue.
Senior Citizen Exemptions
Homeowners aged 65+ with limited incomes may claim an extra exemption offered by the city and county.
The paperwork goes through the same appraiser’s office and usually saves a few hundred dollars each year.
Veterans and Disability Exemptions
Combat-disabled vets, surviving spouses, and first responders injured in the line of duty can file special forms to wipe away some, or occasionally all, real estate taxes.
Check the appraiser’s department website for specifics or contact their outreach team for help.
What Property Taxes Pay For
Local Schools and Education Funding
Roughly one-third of every Boca Raton property tax bill flows to the school district, covering teacher salaries, campus upgrades, and even the circulation budget at the school library.
Voters also renewed a one-mill levy through 2027 that funnels money straight into campus security, arts, and teacher pay, so a slice of your bill is earmarked for those extras too.
Local ad valorem dollars now form the biggest single revenue stream in the district’s $5.6 billion 2025 budget, outpacing state aid and federal grants.
Public Safety Services (Police, Fire, EMS)
Another slice supports public safety. Think patrol cars on A1A, rescue units racing down Glades Road, and firefighters stationed near Mizner Park.
The city set aside about $74 million for Police Services and $72 million for Fire/Rescue this fiscal year, together more than half of the entire General Fund, so when a squad car rolls by, you’re literally watching your tax dollars at work.
City finance staff flag those departments as the most significant recurring expense they monitor each quarter.
Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
Whether you’re jogging in Sugar Sand Park or grabbing the kids a new ball at the municipal rec center, you’re enjoying amenities kept afloat by ad valorem collections.
The Greater Boca Raton Beach & Park District alone levies 1.08 mills, pulling in roughly $45 million last year to bankroll projects like the North Park athletic fields, Patch Reef upgrades, and ongoing beach renourishment, so locals see visible returns on their tax investment.
Road Maintenance and Infrastructure
From pothole repairs on Federal Highway to new bridges over the Intracoastal, the local government relies on tax dollars to keep traffic (and rainwater) moving.
Eight percent of the city’s ad valorem haul now funnels into the Capital Improvement Program, which budgeted $3.3 million this cycle just for street resurfacing and another $5 million for signal upgrades—so that fresh strip of asphalt on Palmetto Park Road likely started with the stamp on your tax bill.
How to Pay Your Property Taxes
Payment Deadlines and Schedules
Bills hit the mail in late October or early November.
Pay by November 30 and you score a 4% discount; December payments save 3%, January 2%, and February 1%.
On April 1, the balance turns delinquent, and a tax certificate sale isn’t far behind.
Online vs. In-Person Payment Options
Most property owners now pay online through the Palm Beach County Tax Collector portal, but old-school walk-ins are still welcome; just make a reservation first. If your Boca address sits south of the county line, you’ll deal with the Broward County collector instead.
Tips for Homebuyers and Investors
Understanding Tax Impact on Affordability
Scrolling listings of homes for sale in Boca Raton?
Plug each home’s price into the county calculator to see how taxes shape the monthly nut.
In a tight Boca Raton housing market, skipping that step can turn a “yes” house into a budget buster once you factor in several thousand dollars annually in property taxes.
Researching Taxes Before Buying
If you’re moving to Boca Raton, pull the current tax record on the appraiser site, review any exemptions, and note whether the seller has a homestead cap that resets after closing.
Investors chasing cash flow should compare the cost of ad valorem and non-ad valorem fees across neighborhoods; some gated communities collect hefty drainage or district assessments.
FAQ’s About Boca Raton Property Taxes
What’s the difference between ad valorem and non-ad valorem charges?
Ad valorem taxes hinge on assessment; they rise when your property’s value climbs.
Non-ad valorem fees have set amounts per parcel or frontage and fund services like solid waste pickup.
Both appear on the same tax notice, but only ad valorem is limited by exemptions and millage caps.
How do I file a homestead exemption?
Visit the Palm Beach County property appraiser website, create an online application, and upload proof of residency such as a driver’s license that shows your Boca address. You must apply by March 1 of the tax year, though late filing is sometimes allowed.
Can I challenge my assessed value?
Yes. After you receive the annual TRIM notice in August, you have 25 days to petition the Value Adjustment Board. You’re disputing the amount of assessment, not the millage rate set by the elected authority.
What if I own a condo in Boca, but it’s inside Broward County lines?
A handful of Boca ZIP codes dip into Deerfield Beach’s tax roll.
In that case, your contact points are the Broward County property appraiser and tax collector, and millage rates hover around 19.94 mills according to their online estimator.
Where can I learn more or get help with a delinquent balance?
The constitutional tax collector hosts payment plans and hardship programs. Reach out to the office at 561-355-2264 or drop by the downtown service center.
You can also explore resources at the public library or ask a trusted escrow company to review your situation.