Property tax notifications arrive in Miami-Dade with moderate increases

Homeowners in Miami-Dade have started to receive "TRIM" notifications in their mailboxes, documents that estimate how much they might owe in property taxes in 2025.

Although increases are anticipated, county officials assure that they will be less drastic than in previous years.

Tomás Regalado, property appraiser for the county, explained to Telemundo 51 that "the increase we will see in property taxes this year will be smaller than what we saw last year."

"90% of municipalities maintained the same mileage rate as in 2024, which means the impact will be more moderate for property owners," he clarified.

Regalado indicated that most of the increases are due to the rise in home values and not to changes in mileage rates.

Reviewed examples by Telemundo 51 show different scenarios: in Pinecrest, the estimated taxes increased by 9%, rising from $14,300 in 2024 to $15,870 in 2025; in Miami Lakes, the increase was over 5%, while other cities are also experiencing variable increases.

Some municipalities, such as Opa-locka and Sunny Isles, are considering reductions in property tax.

Regalado added that the proposed mileage rates should be discussed and approved in public meetings during September.

Owners who have questions about the reflected values can go to the appraiser's office in Downtown Miami.

According to Regalado, "here throughout the month of September, until the 16th, officials sit down with individuals, review the values, and it is possible for them to leave this office with a reduction in the value of their property."

Days ago, the official explained that the cities in the county that are raising their rates for the next fiscal year are autonomous cities, making their decisions independently for each municipality.

It's something they decided because they are autonomous cities. We have seen, for instance, the city of Miami Lakes where there is a controversy, or Key Biscayne with a 3% increase. There are also small cities that have raised their rates," he stated.

These adjustments will directly impact the bills that the owners will receive.

Not all news is bad for taxpayers. Some areas will see reductions in their rates, which is not always the case in the county.

Sunny Isles Beach, for example, will reduce its property tax by 6%, and in the area corresponding to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) of Miami, the reduction will be 10%.

Regalado emphasized that taxpayers have the option to appeal if they believe the amount assigned to their property is unfair or incorrect.

"From the moment these individuals receive the letter, there is an opportunity until September 16 to come and file a review petition," he explained.

He also encouraged residents to attend the budget discussions organized by each city or public entity. These meetings are opportunities for citizens to request a reduction in the tax rate or to question the proposed increases.

In the state arena, the governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis has reiterated his intention to eliminate property taxes.

Last April, he declared that of all the taxes that affect Floridians, property taxes are the most significant. "When people talk to me about taxes, 99% is talking about property taxes," he added.

DeSantis proposed a $1,000 refund check plan per household as a property tax discount and seeks to include a constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot to eliminate these taxes.

The governor emphasized that the tax reduction would only benefit property owners and residents of the state: "I want Canadian and Brazilian tourists to subsidize the state and for Florida residents to pay less in taxes. I don’t want to give Canadians a tax cut."

According to DeSantis, the measure would allow each household to save approximately $1,000 annually.

In addition to taxes, Florida has implemented new safety and financing measures for condominiums following the collapse of the Champlain Towers South building in Surfside in 2021, which resulted in 98 deaths.

The legislation, which came into effect on July 1, modifies the structural inspection standards and relaxes the financial mechanisms for condominium associations.

"We have heard the concerns of condominium owners across Florida, and we are implementing reforms that will provide financial relief and flexibility, strengthen oversight of condominium associations, and empower unit owners," the Republican leader detailed.

The state has also tightened measures against the illegal occupation of private properties with the approval of Bill 621, which allows for the swift eviction of illegal occupants and establishes criminal penalties for the submission of false documents.

"You are not going to come here and stay on someone else's property without facing consequences. We are providing effective and swift remedies for those who harm homeowners," DeSantis stated last March.

Lastly, in July, the governor signed a tax cut package of $1.6 billion that includes the elimination of the state tax on commercial leases starting on October 1, a measure that will particularly benefit small business owners.

With these measures, Florida continues to establish itself as an attractive destination for high-income property owners and taxpayers, seeking lower tax burdens, greater security, quality of life, and economic opportunities, which has led to an increase in migration to the state from other regions of the country.

The elimination of the 2% tax on commercial leases starting October 1 is a measure that has been anticipated for years by small business owners. It is estimated to reduce state and local revenues by more than $1.1 billion during the next fiscal year.

Frequently Asked Questions about Property Taxes in Miami-Dade