Taxes are paid annually in arrears. So the 2009 tax bill doesn't come out until the fall of this year. The value is based on the county assesment as of January 1. They are not permitted by law to use values from 2008, it must be the properties value on January 1 of 2009.

Once you receive your bill the instructions are on there telling you what to do to appeal it if you don't agree with the value. You are given a nice discount if you pay them in November.

Colleen Pearsall
Broker/Owner
Pearsall Properties
239-458-5566

The Cape Coral tax year is based on a calendar year.

Every property in Lee County has its value automatically adjusted each year by the Lee County Property Appraiser. Valuation is based on previous years sales and is the value as of January 1 of the new tax year. In late May, the Lee County Property Appraiser announced that property values had dropped on average 25% across Lee County. Here is a blog post about the announcement: http://www.gulfreturns.com/2009/05/lee-county-property-value…

If you believe that there is a mistake with your properties valuation, the Lee County Property Appraiser has an appeal process. Go to http://www.leepa.org/ and click on the tab titled "VAB Procedures and Online Filing Information."

Cape Coral Property tax estimates are sent out from the County Assessors Office in August. The new assessed value will be representative of properties sold during the previous year. That will mean the 2008 year will be reflected on the new assessments.
If you feel that the assessment is incorrect, you have an opportunity to file for an abatement, which you can get online from the Lee County Tax Offices.
You need to be aware, of those that file abatements, very few prevail. Since all property that changed ownership has to be recorded, what sold in 2008 is a matter of public record, and the assessor uses these numbers to create their property values.
Also, you will find when you do the math, that you might actually save very little on your bill. The County needs the revenue that is collected. City's will adjust the millage rate in order to make sure that they have enough funds to be able to pay the costs of running he City and the County.
If in 2009 you paid $200,000 for a property worth $400,000, the tax assesors office is not going to reduce your rate to $200,000. The property will be assessed according to what like kind properties sold for in 2008.

Hope that this information is helpful.

If you need any further direction, please email or call me.

Susan Burhoe
Gulf Access Realty LLC
4120 Pine Island Rd
Matlacha, Fl 33993
info@susanburhoe.com
239-424-0133 http://www.susanburhoe.com