Did your August TRIM notice just arrive and leave you with more questions than answers? You are not alone. This annual mailing can look technical, but it is your chance to review your property’s proposed value, millage rates, and estimated taxes before bills are finalized. In this guide, you will learn exactly where to find each number on your notice, how to estimate your taxes using county tools or simple math, and what to do if you disagree with your value. Let’s dive in.
What your TRIM notice shows
Property ID and basics
Your notice includes a Parcel ID, property description, and your mailing address. Use the Parcel ID to look up your record on the Escambia County Property Appraiser website and on the Tax Collector’s tools. Keep this ID handy for estimating taxes or starting a review.
Market, assessed, and taxable values
Look for “Just Value” or “Market Value.” This is the Property Appraiser’s estimate of your home’s market value. You will also see “Assessed Value” and “Taxable Value” for the prior year and the new year. Taxable value is the number used to calculate ad valorem taxes after exemptions are applied. The TRIM often shows the net taxable value for each taxing authority, which you can use right away for estimates.
Exemptions and Save Our Homes
The notice lists exemptions such as Homestead, senior, disability, veterans, or portability. If you have Homestead, the Save Our Homes cap or portability may reduce your assessed and taxable values. Verify that every exemption you qualify for appears with the correct amounts. If anything looks off, contact the Escambia County Property Appraiser for an informal review.
Proposed millage and the rolled-back rate
Each taxing authority appears with a proposed millage rate. You may also see a rolled-back rate for comparison. The rolled-back rate is the rate that would raise the same ad valorem revenue as last year. Your TRIM highlights if proposed millage would increase or decrease taxes compared to the rolled-back rate. Many notices also show a “Proposed Tax” amount next to each authority based on those proposed rates and your taxable value.
Non-ad valorem assessments
Non-ad valorem assessments are separate charges that are not based on your market value. Examples include solid waste, stormwater, fire protection, drainage, lighting, and certain municipal service assessments. These appear as fixed dollar amounts on your notice or in a separate section. You must add these amounts to your ad valorem tax estimate to see your full annual obligation.
Appeal and hearing details
Your notice includes instructions for an informal conference with the Property Appraiser and how to file a petition with the Value Adjustment Board if needed. Look for the bolded block that shows the filing deadline. This date is critical and is specific to your notice. Use the date printed on your TRIM as the authoritative deadline.
Estimate your Escambia County taxes
Use county tools first
Start with your Parcel ID from the notice.
- Go to the Escambia County Property Appraiser website and search your parcel by Parcel ID or address.
- Open your parcel record to review value history, exemptions, and any tax estimate details provided.
- Check for links to the Tax Collector or any estimator tool. Some county pages allow you to view current millage components and non-ad valorem assessments. If a calculator lets you adjust rates, you can revisit later to plug in final adopted millage after fall hearings.
Tip: If you live in Warrington, pay close attention to whether your property falls within any special districts. Those districts may add non-ad valorem assessments that change your total.
Do a quick manual estimate
If you prefer to see the math yourself, use the numbers on your TRIM.
- Step 1: Identify your Taxable Value on the TRIM. If needed, calculate Taxable Value = Assessed Value minus Exemptions.
- Step 2: Convert mills to a tax amount. 1 mill equals $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value. Formula: Tax for a taxing authority = Taxable Value × (millage ÷ 1,000).
- Step 3: Add up all ad valorem taxes. Sum each line’s tax based on the millage listed, or use the “Proposed Tax” amounts printed on the TRIM for each authority.
- Step 4: Add non-ad valorem assessments. These are the fixed dollar charges shown on the notice.
- Step 5: The result is your estimated total based on proposed rates. Final bills can change after public budget hearings.
Common pitfalls to avoid
- The TRIM shows estimates based on proposed millage. Final rates may change in the fall.
- Some non-ad valorem assessments are listed in a separate section. Make sure you include them in your total.
- Property class and exemptions matter. Homestead, portability, and Save Our Homes caps can significantly change your taxable value.
If you disagree with your value
Start with an informal review
Contact the Escambia County Property Appraiser to request an informal conference. Bring recent comparable sales, photos of condition issues, an appraisal if you have one, and any documents that show errors in the property record. Many concerns are resolved at this stage.
Follow the timing instructions printed on your TRIM. The sooner you call, the better your chances of meeting timelines.
Petition the Value Adjustment Board
If you are not satisfied after the informal review, you may file a petition with the Escambia County Value Adjustment Board. Your TRIM lists how to file and the deadline. Florida law sets a strict window, often within 25 days from the mailing date of the TRIM, but the exact deadline is printed on your notice. Use your date as the official rule.
Check the Escambia County VAB or Clerk’s page for current petition forms, submission instructions, hearing schedules, and any filing fee information.
What to bring to a hearing
- Comparable sales with addresses and closing dates
- Photographs showing condition or damage
- A recent independent appraisal, if available
- For income property, rent rolls and income and expense statements
- Documentation of factual errors in the property record
- A short written summary of your requested value or exemption change and the reason
Timeline and outcomes
VAB hearings usually take place in the months after TRIM mailings. If the Board grants relief, your assessed and taxable values will be adjusted on the final tax roll. If not, you may have further options in circuit court. Follow county guidance for any next steps.
Quick checklist
- Confirm your Parcel ID, property description, and mailing address.
- Verify Just Value, Assessed Value, and Taxable Value for accuracy.
- Confirm exemptions and any Save Our Homes or portability amounts.
- Review proposed millage compared with the rolled-back rate.
- Add non-ad valorem assessments to your ad valorem estimate.
- Note the petition filing deadline on your TRIM and set a reminder.
- If needed, schedule an informal conference with the Property Appraiser.
- Prepare documentation if you plan to file with the VAB.
Local resources
- Escambia County Property Appraiser: parcel search, TRIM information, exemptions, and informal conference details.
- Escambia County Tax Collector: tax bill information and any estimator tools the county provides.
- Escambia County Value Adjustment Board or Clerk: petition forms, filing instructions, schedules, and contact information.
- Florida Department of Revenue: statewide TRIM guidance, rolled-back rate explanations, and process requirements.
Thinking about a move in Warrington?
Your TRIM notice affects your carrying costs and timing, whether you plan to buy, sell, or hold. If you want help interpreting your notice in the context of your next move, reach out. Sara Davis offers local, client-first guidance across Warrington and the Pensacola area to help you plan with confidence. Start your coastal home journey.
FAQs
What is a TRIM notice in Florida?
- It is the annual August notice that shows your proposed assessed value, exemptions, proposed millage rates, and estimated taxes. It is not your final tax bill.
Where do I find my taxable value on the notice?
- Look for the line labeled “Taxable Value.” If values and exemptions are separate, subtract exemptions from the assessed value to get taxable value.
What is the rolled-back rate on my TRIM?
- It is the millage rate that would raise the same ad valorem revenue as last year. Comparing it to the proposed rate shows if taxes are rising or falling.
Do I need to add non-ad valorem assessments to my estimate?
- Yes. These fixed charges, such as solid waste or fire assessments, are added to ad valorem taxes to get your total estimated bill.
How do I estimate my taxes from the TRIM?
- Multiply your taxable value by each millage rate divided by 1,000, add all ad valorem amounts, then add non-ad valorem assessments.
What is the deadline to file a VAB petition in Escambia County?
- Use the deadline printed on your TRIM notice. The filing window is statutory and often about 25 days from the mailing date.
What should I bring to an informal review or VAB hearing?
- Comparable sales, photos, an appraisal if available, income and expense records for rentals, and any documents that correct errors in your property record.
