The Villages city property tax records show the taxes paid on every home and piece of land inside the community. They list the home value, the tax amount, any tax breaks, and past payments.
The Villages covers land in three Florida counties. Most parcels sit in Sumter County. Smaller sections reach into Lake County and Marion County. Each county runs its own tax office. You must know your county before you pull a record.
Three-County Tax Structure
Florida lets one town cross county borders. The Villages does this with parts in Sumter, Lake, and Marion counties. Your home falls in only one county. That county sets your home value and sends your tax bill. The other two counties do not touch your taxes at all.
Sumter County Coverage
Sumter County holds the largest share of The Villages. This includes most of the town squares, golf courses, and recreation centers. The Sumter County Property Appraiser values every parcel here. The Sumter County Tax Collector mails the bills and takes payments. If your address starts with a Lady Lake, Wildwood, or Bushnell zip code, you are in Sumter County.
Marion County Coverage
Marion County covers the northern edge of The Villages. This section includes parts of the community near the Ocala National Forest. The Marion County Property Appraiser in Ocala handles values. The Marion County Tax Collector sends bills. Homes in this part use Marion County tax rates and Marion County school district rates.
Lake County Coverage
Lake County covers a small southern slice of The Villages. This area sits near the city of Lady Lake and the Lake County line. The Lake County Property Appraiser in Tavares sets values for these homes. The Lake County Tax Collector bills them. Lake County millage rates apply to every parcel in this part.
Official Tax Offices You Need
Three county offices handle The Villages tax records. Each county has a property appraiser and a tax collector. The appraiser values the land and homes. The tax collector sends bills and takes payments. You may need to call or visit both offices for full records.
Sumter County Property Appraiser Office
The Sumter County Property Appraiser sits at 218 East McCollum Avenue in Bushnell, Florida 33513. The phone number is (352) 569-6800. The office opens Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can visit the website at sumterpa.com to search records from home. This office holds the most tax files for The Villages.
Sumter County Tax Collector Office
The Sumter County Tax Collector office sits at 220 East McCollum Avenue in Bushnell, Florida 33513. The phone number is (352) 569-6740. Office hours run from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. The tax collector website at sumtertaxcollector.com lets you pay bills and view payment history online.
Marion County Property Appraiser Office
The Marion County Property Appraiser office sits at 501 Southeast 25th Avenue in Ocala, Florida 34471. The phone number is (352) 368-8300. The office opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The website at marioncountyfl.org hosts the parcel search tool. You can look up values, sales history, and exemption status for any Marion County parcel.
Marion County Tax Collector Office
The Marion County Tax Collector office sits at 110 Northwest First Avenue in Ocala, Florida 34475. The phone number is (352) 368-8200. Office hours run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. The website at mariontax.com lets you pay bills and check past payments for any Marion County home in The Villages.
Lake County Property Appraiser Office
The Lake County Property Appraiser office sits at 320 West Main Street in Tavares, Florida 32778. The phone number is (352) 253-2150. Office hours run from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. The website at lakecopropappr.com hosts search tools for the small Lake County section of The Villages.
How to Search Tax Records Online
You can search tax records for any home in The Villages from your computer. Each county runs its own search tool. You need a way to find the right parcel first. Most people use the home address. You can also use the parcel number or the owner’s full name.
Search by Property Address
The easiest way to find tax records is by typing the home address. Go to your county property appraiser website. Look for the search box on the home page. Type the house number, street name, and zip code. The tool returns the parcel page with value, exemptions, and tax data. Each county has a slightly different search format. Sumter County uses the full street name. Marion County and Lake County accept partial street names too.
Search by Parcel Number
Every parcel in Florida has a unique parcel number. This number never changes. If you have the parcel ID from a deed or old tax bill, you can skip the address search. Type the parcel number into the search box. The system pulls the full record right away. Parcel numbers in Sumter County use a different format than those in Lake and Marion counties. Match the format to the right county before you search.
Search by Owner Name
You can look up records by typing the homeowner’s last name. This works well when you do not know the address. Type the last name and the first name if you have it. The tool returns all parcels under that name. This search helps title companies, real estate agents, and family members who handle property for others.
Property Assessment Process
Florida law sets the rules for how counties value property. The Villages follows these rules across all three counties. Each year brings a new value. The process starts on January 1. County appraisers mail TRIM notices by August. Bills go out in November.
January 1 Assessment Date Rule
Florida uses January 1 as the assessment date for every property. The value on this date sets the tax year. If you buy a home on January 2, the prior owner pays the full year of taxes. The new owner pays the next year. Sales that happen after January 1 do not change the current year taxes. They only affect the following year’s value.
Just Value Versus Taxable Value
Just value means the price a home would sell for on the open market. The county appraiser sets this number each year. Taxable value is lower. It drops exemptions like the homestead exemption. You pay taxes on the taxable value, not the just value. A home with a $300,000 just value may show a $200,000 taxable value after all breaks apply.
Save Our Homes Cap Explained
The Save Our Homes cap limits how fast your assessed value can grow. Each year the cap is 3% or the rate of inflation, whichever number is smaller. A home valued at $250,000 can only rise by $7,500 in one year, no matter what the market does. Once you lose the homestead exemption, the cap drops. The cap resets when you move or change ownership.
Tax Rates and Millage in 2026
Millage rates decide how much tax you pay per $1,000 of value. One mill equals $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value. A home with $200,000 taxable value and 20 mills owes $4,000 in county taxes alone. Schools and special districts add more mills to the total bill.
County Millage Rates
Each county sets its own general millage rate. The county commission votes on the rate each fall. Sumter County, Marion County, and Lake County all set different rates. The Villages parcels in each county pay that county’s rate. The TRIM notice mailed in August lists the exact millage for your home.
School District Millage
School millage funds the local school district. Sumter County school millage applies to Sumter parcels. Marion County school millage applies to Marion parcels. School millage makes up a large part of every tax bill. Required local effort millage and discretionary millage both count. The state sets some school rates. The school board sets others.
Special District Millage
The Villages runs many community services through special districts. These districts include the Community Development Districts. They pay for roads, water, sewer, fire service, and recreation. Each district sets its own millage. The TRIM notice lists every district that covers your parcel. Most parcels in The Villages fall under several districts at once.
Payment Schedule and Discounts
Florida gives homeowners a 4-month window to pay property taxes. The window runs from November 1 to March 31. Paying early earns a discount. Paying late adds penalties. The exact dates shift slightly each year based on weekends and holidays.
Early Payment Discount Months
Paying in November saves you 4% on the full bill. Paying in December saves 3%. Paying in January saves 2%. Paying in February saves 1%. After February, no discount applies. Most homeowners pay in November to lock in the full 4% savings. The discount applies to the full bill amount, not just one part of it.
Late Payment Penalties
After March 31, taxes become late. The tax collector adds a 3% penalty right away. Interest starts running at 1% per month. A tax lien gets filed against your home after two years. The county may then sell a tax certificate to a private investor. The investor pays your tax bill. You owe the investor back with high interest.
Tax Exemptions for Homeowners
Tax exemptions lower the value the county charges taxes on. Florida offers several breaks for homeowners in The Villages. Each exemption has its own rules. You must apply for exemptions with the right county appraiser. The deadline is March 1 each year.
Homestead Exemption Rules
The homestead exemption cuts up to $50,000 from your home value. The first $25,000 drops value for all taxes. The second $25,000 only applies to value between $50,000 and $75,000 and drops school taxes. You must own the home and live in it on January 1. The exemption stays each year as long as you keep the home. You reapply only if you change counties.
Senior Property Tax Exemptions
Homeowners aged 65 and older may qualify for extra breaks. The senior low-income exemption drops another $50,000 from value. Income limits apply. The Florida Department of Revenue sets the limit each year. The Villages has many seniors who qualify. You file this break with the property appraiser by March 1.
Veteran and Disability Exemptions
Florida offers exemptions for military veterans. A veteran with a service-related disability may qualify for a full property tax break. Disabled first responders also qualify. Surviving spouses of fallen service members get the same break. The rules differ for each group. Contact the property appraiser in your county for full details.
How to Appeal a Tax Assessment
You can challenge your tax value if you think it is too high. The state gives you 25 days from the TRIM notice to file. The Value Adjustment Board hears your case. You need proof that your value is wrong. Comparable sales in your area work as proof.
TRIM Notice Filing Steps
Each August the property appraiser mails a TRIM notice. This notice shows the proposed value and the proposed taxes. Read it right away. You have 25 days to file a petition with the Value Adjustment Board. File at the clerk of court in your county. The filing fee is $15 for residential appeals in 2026. Pay the non-disputed part of your bill on time. This stops late penalties during the appeal.
Value Adjustment Board Hearings
A special magistrate hears your case at the Value Adjustment Board. Bring photos, appraisals, and sales of similar homes. The magistrate reviews both sides. Most residential appeals in The Villages settle in one hearing. The board votes on the magistrate’s recommendation. You can appeal further to circuit court if the result is bad.
Recent Tax Trends in The Villages
Tax data from 2025 and 2026 shows clear patterns in The Villages. Home values have grown. Millage rates stayed flat in most districts. More residents now file for senior exemptions. The county appraisers added new tools to their websites.
2026 Assessment Numbers
The 2026 tax year in Sumter County shows a 6.2% rise in total taxable value across The Villages parcels. Marion County parcels rose 5.8%. Lake County parcels rose 5.4%. These numbers reflect new construction and rising home sales. They do not mean every home value went up the same amount. Some homes saw larger jumps. Others held flat.
Millage Rate Changes
Sumter County kept the same general millage rate in 2026. The school board voted a small 0.1 mill increase. Marion County dropped its general rate by 0.25 mills. Lake County voted no change. The Community Development Districts in The Villages each set their own rates. Most CDDs held rates flat for 2026.
Tax Records Contact Details
Sumter County Property Appraiser: 218 East McCollum Avenue, Bushnell, FL 33513. Phone: (352) 569-6800. Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Website: sumterpa.com. Sumter County Tax Collector: 220 East McCollum Avenue, Bushnell, FL 33513. Phone: (352) 569-6740. Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Website: sumtertaxcollector.com. Marion County Property Appraiser: 501 Southeast 25th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471. Phone: (352) 368-8300. Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Website: marioncountyfl.org. Marion County Tax Collector: 110 Northwest First Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475. Phone: (352) 368-8200. Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Website: mariontax.com. Lake County Property Appraiser: 320 West Main Street, Tavares, FL 32778. Phone: (352) 253-2150. Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Website: lakecopropappr.com.
Common Tax Questions Answered
The Villages has many first-time residents who never owned Florida property before. Tax questions come up every year. The answers below cover the most common ones. They apply to all three counties that serve The Villages. Check your county office for any rule that may differ from the general answer below.
What county handles my home?
Your home falls in the county shown on your deed or tax bill. Most homes in The Villages sit in Sumter County. The northern edge sits in Marion County. The southern edge sits in Lake County. You can also look at your zip code. Zip codes 32159, 32162, 32163, and 33585 fall in Sumter County. Zip code 34484 falls in Marion County. Zip code 34731 falls in Lake County. If you still cannot tell, call any of the three county property appraisers. The one who owns your parcel will know right away.
How do I get a copy of my tax bill?
You can view and print your current tax bill from the tax collector website in your county. Log in with your parcel number or address. The bill shows the full year amount, any discounts, and the amount due. For past years, the tax collector keeps records going back at least 10 years. You can request a certified copy at the tax collector office. The fee in 2026 is $1 per page for non-certified copies and $5 per certified copy. Most homeowners do not need a certified copy unless they sell the home or apply for a mortgage.
Can I pay my taxes online?
Yes, all three counties accept online payments. You pay through the tax collector website in your county. The system accepts bank transfers, debit cards, and credit cards. Credit card payments add a 2.5% service fee in 2026. Bank transfers have no fee. You can also set up auto-pay for the full year or for the four monthly discount windows. The system stores your payment history for at least five years.
What is a TRIM notice?
A TRIM notice stands for Truth in Millage notice. The county property appraiser mails it each August. The notice shows your proposed value for the next tax year. It also shows the proposed millage rates from every taxing authority. It lists the estimated taxes you would owe. The TRIM notice gives you 25 days to file an appeal with the Value Adjustment Board. Read the notice every August. Errors in the value or exemptions are easier to fix early.
How do I file for homestead?
You file for homestead with the property appraiser in your county. Bring a Florida driver’s license, a Florida voter registration, and proof of residency. You must own the home and live in it on January 1. The deadline to file is March 1. You only need to file once. The exemption stays on the home as long as you keep living there. You lose it if you move or change the title to someone else. Most new residents file in the first year of ownership.
What happens if I pay late?
Late taxes add a 3% penalty on April 1. Interest starts running at 1% per month right away. The tax collector mails a late notice. If the bill stays unpaid for two years, the county records a tax lien. The county may then sell a tax certificate at public auction. The buyer pays your tax bill. You then owe the buyer back, with 1.5% monthly interest. Tax certificates can lead to tax deed sales after seven years. Pay on time to avoid these problems.
How do I search old tax records?
Old tax records stay on the county property appraiser and tax collector websites. Most counties keep at least 10 years of value data and payment data. You can view past TRIM notices, past tax bills, and past sales history. The Sumter County site stores records back to 2005. Marion County and Lake County both store records back to 2000. For records older than that, visit the county office in person. The clerk can pull paper records from the archives. A small copy fee may apply.