Columbia County, FL Property Tax Guide: Offices, Dates and Selling With Tax Due
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Last updated November 14, 2026. Citations come from the Florida statutes and the official county pages linked in Sources. Where we could not confirm something on an official page, we say so.
Columbia County property tax is billed by the county tax collector, and Florida bills are due November 1 and delinquent April 1. This guide points you to the official Columbia County offices and explains what happens to the tax when you sell a house there.
Who bills what in Columbia County
- Columbia County Property Appraiser (Jeff Hampton) sets the assessed value and handles exemptions such as homestead.
- Columbia County Tax Collector (Kyle Keen) sends the bill and collects the tax.
- The clerk’s Official Records search shows recorded deeds, liens and mortgages.
Due dates and discounts
Florida taxes are due November 1, or when the certified roll reaches the tax collector, and become delinquent April 1. Early payment discounts run 4 percent in November, 3 percent in December, 2 percent in January and 1 percent in February (Fla. Stat. 197.162 and 197.333). Real property is assessed as of January 1. What the county tax collector’s pages state:
- Annual bill discounts: 4% November, 3% December, 2% January, 1% February, none March. Taxes due by March 31 and generally delinquent April 1.
- Quarterly installment plan: estimated taxes must exceed $100; application (DR-534) by April 30. Due June 30 with 6% discount, September 30 with 4.5%, December 31 with 3%, March 31 no discount. First two installments use prior-year taxes. Late first installment accepted through July 31 without the June discount.
Homestead and exemptions
Homestead applications go to the county property appraiser by March 1 (Fla. Stat. 196.011). What the appraiser’s pages state:
- Tax collector page states the usual homestead filing deadline is March 1 and directs questions to the Property Appraiser at (386) 758-1083.
County millage rate
We could not confirm the current Columbia County millage rate on an opened official page, so we do not state one. Use the property appraiser’s millage chart and the parcel lookup for your bill.
What we could not confirm
- Clerk fee URL
- Columbia county millage rate
- Tax certificate sale venue/date
How to sell a house in Columbia County when you owe property tax
- Find out what the title company needs. For an inherited or transferred house, that usually means the recorded document that shows who owns it today.
- Ask the tax collector for the amount due in the month you expect to close. Unpaid tax is paid from the sale proceeds at closing.
- Compare offers on what you net after repairs, commissions and closing costs, not on the headline price.
- If you want a fast, simple closing, ask for a written cash offer. We buy houses as-is. See we buy houses in Florida.
Columbia County property tax FAQ
When are property taxes due in Columbia County, FL?
Florida taxes are due November 1 or when the certified roll reaches the tax collector, and become delinquent April 1 (Fla. Stat. 197.333).
What early payment discounts apply?
The statute provides 4 percent in November, 3 percent in December, 2 percent in January and 1 percent in February (Fla. Stat. 197.162). Check the tax collector's page for this year's exact dates.
When is the homestead exemption deadline?
March 1 each year with the county property appraiser (Fla. Stat. 196.011).
What happens to unpaid Columbia County property tax when I sell?
The title company pays the unpaid tax from the sale proceeds at closing.
Sources
- Columbia County Property Appraiser (Jeff Hampton)
- Columbia County Tax Collector (Kyle Keen)
- Florida Statutes, Chapter 197
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Laws, forms and fees change, so confirm details with the official office or a Florida tax professional.
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