🏡 Florida Property Taxes: What Buyers Need to Know Before Closing

Avoid Costly Mistakes with Smart Tax Proration Strategies

If you’re planning to buy a home in Florida—whether it's your first property, an investment, or your forever home—there’s one important topic most buyers overlook until it’s too late: property tax proration.

It’s not the most exciting part of the deal, but it can cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars at closing if you don’t understand how it works—or if you don’t have the right person reviewing the numbers.

I’m Jorge A. Fernandez, Real Estate Attorney & Broker with over 40 years of experience. And in this article, I’ll explain what tax proration is, why it matters, and how I help my clients avoid overpaying when buying property in Florida.

💡 What Is Property Tax Proration?

In Florida, property taxes are paid in arrears—meaning, you pay for the past year, not the year ahead.

But at closing, the taxes for the current calendar year are typically prorated between the buyer and the seller, based on the exact date of the transaction.

Here’s a basic example:If you buy a home in July, the seller technically owes property taxes for January through July. The buyer is responsible for August through December.At closing, the seller gives the buyer a credit for their portion—and the buyer will pay the full bill when it comes due later in the year.

Sounds fair, right? In theory, yes. But in practice? It gets tricky.

⚠️ Why Buyers Should Be Cautious with Tax Credits

Here’s where most buyers get caught off guard:

📌 The credit you receive from the seller is based on last year’s tax bill—not the current one.📌 If the property was reassessed (often the case when there’s a change of ownership), the actual tax bill could be thousands more.📌 That means the credit you received at closing may not be enough—and you’ll be left paying the difference.

Without legal review and a smart tax proration strategy, many buyers overpay their fair share without realizing it—especially out-of-state buyers or first-time homeowners unfamiliar with Florida tax law.

🛡️ How I Protect My Clients from Overpaying

As both an attorney and broker, I go beyond the typical agent’s role.At every closing, I personally review the tax proration section of the settlement statement to ensure:

✅ The credit reflects current assessed values—not outdated numbers✅ You aren’t covering tax obligations that belong to the seller✅ The proration is calculated fairly, down to the day

If necessary, I prepare or revise the documentation to make sure you’re only paying what’s yours—and not a penny more.

📩 Conclusion: Know Before You Close

Tax proration may seem like a small detail, but it can make a big difference.And when you work with someone who understands the legal and financial side of real estate, you’re not just buying a property—you’re protecting your investment.

If you're planning to buy or sell in Florida, let's talk.With my clients, there are no hidden costs, no legal fees, and no last-minute surprises. Just transparency, protection, and smart strategy.

👉 DM me or visit www.nationalpropertiesrealty.com to schedule a free consultation. Let’s make sure your next move is not only smart—but financially secure.

🏡 Florida Property Taxes: What Buyers Need to Know Before Closing