Dear Friends,
You have probably heard news about Florida legislature proposing changes or elimination of property taxes. I have had a lot of questions from residents asking what will happen if this change is implemented. The short answer is, I do not know at this time and won’t know more until after the Florida legislature meets for this year’s session beginning in January.
There are several proposed bills that the legislature will be considering, which range from full elimination of all non-school property taxes for homesteaded homes to increasing the homestead exemption. There are twelve bills that may be considered, so at this time we do not know what the outcome will be.
Keep in mind that most of these proposals, if passed by the legislature, must still be approved by 60% of Florida voters during an upcoming general election to amend the Florida Constitution.
I will continue to watch what the legislature does during the 2026 session, which runs January 13 through March 13, 2026, and I will keep you informed.
Anne M. Gannon
Constitutional Tax Collector, Serving Palm Beach County
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A new license plate obstruction law went into effect on October 1, and there has been confusion over what is legal and what is not. Florida Statute 320.262, License plate obscuring device prohibited, prohibits the use of license plate obscuring devices.
Can you still have a license plate frame? Yes, if the frame does not obscure visibility of:
- The license plate numbers/letters.
- The registration decal located in the top right-hand corner of the license plate.
Covering the bottom of the plate where you typically see either the County name or the phrase “Sunshine State” is permissible, as the Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles does not consider the information found here to be a primary feature of the plate.
The purpose of the new law is to ban tinted license plate covers and other methods used to conceal license plate numbers making the car more difficult to identify by toll booth tag readers.
Penalties can include:
- Possession/Purchase Obscuring Device: Second-degree misdemeanor (up to 60 days jail, $500 fine).
- Manufacturing/Selling Obscuring Device: First-degree misdemeanor (up to 1 year jail, $1,000 fine).
- Using an Obscuring Device in a Crime: Third-degree felony (up to 5 years jail, $5,000 fine
Be sure that if you have a license plate frame, that it complies with this new law.
It happens to the best of us — you are cleaning out the glove box or preparing for a move, and you realize your vehicle registration is nowhere to be found. If you have lost your vehicle registration or simply need a duplicate, there is no need to stress. We offer quick and convenient replacement options.
Online
Skip the trip and handle it from your sofa. You can request a replacement directly through our website. The fee for an online duplicate is only $3.00 (plus a standard credit card processing fee). You will typically receive your duplicate registration in the mail in 3-5 business days, making it the most efficient way to get back on the road with peace of mind.
In-Person Service by Reservation
If you prefer to handle your business in person, we are happy to assist you at one of our service centers by reservation only. Simply visit pbctax.gov/reservations to schedule a reservation for in-person service.
Whether you choose the digital route or visit us in person with a reservation, we are committed to providing you with fast, exceptional service. Visit our website today to get started!
In 2010, I implemented our Journey to Good Health program, which is designed to improve employee health and lower the risk of chronic disease. Education is the cornerstone of the program, which gives my team the information they need to improve their health and prevent illness. In 2025, 194 of our employees participated in the program.
Here’s how it works:
Employees who choose to participate in the program complete a wellness screening in February. In March, they receive a confidential report card with their results. They then meet with the program’s dietitian to review their results and set goals for that year’s program. Throughout the spring and summer, employees participate in nutrition classes and coaching with the dietitian to track their progress against their individual goals. Finally, in the fall, participants are re-screened, and their results are compared to the earlier results to determine which goals were achieved. Based on their success in attaining their goals, employees can earn up to a $480 rebate on the following year’s health insurance contributions!
Participants whose screening results identify them as low risk, automatically qualify for the health insurance rebate. Those who are new to the program are invited to eight nutrition classes and three coaching sessions with a dietitian, to help them set achievable goals and stay on track. Program alumni get five coaching sessions to set goals and discuss progress.
Additionally, all first-time Journey to Good Health participants receive a free step tracker. Those who walk an average of 10,000 steps a day earn free gift cards in our Fitbit Challenge incentive program.
Employees who participate in the program have reduced their blood pressure, reduced their body mass index, reduced their A1C, lost weight, and more. I am happy to offer this program again in 2026, and I encourage all my team members to join me on the journey to good health!
Looking for a quick, convenient way to make a payment? Consider using one of our secure drop boxes. Drop boxes are located in our service center lobbies and are accessible during regular business hours, 8:15 am – 5:00 pm. There is no need to make a reservation. Drive-up locations are also available at our Westlake service center (available during business hours) and our North County service center in Palm Beach Gardens (available 24/7).
Drop box payments are collected daily which avoids mail handling delays. We accept check, money order, or cashier’s check made payable to Tax Collector, PBC.
Drop boxes can be used to make payments for:
- Motor vehicle registration renewals
- Vessel registration renewals
- Parking permit renewals
- Property tax
- Local Business Tax
For a list of service center locations, please visit, https://www.pbctax.gov/resources/locations/.
Did you know that Palm Beach County’s Sales Tax rate changed effective January 1, 2026?
In November 2024, voters in Palm Beach County approved a ballot referendum to add a 0.5% sales tax for schools to begin on January 1, 2026. Then, in April 2025, the county commission approved the repeal of the county’s 1% infrastructure sales tax that ended December 31, 2025. This means that Palm Beach County’s sales tax rate went from 7% to 6.5% beginning January 1, 2026. Planning to buy a new car or upgrade your kitchen appliances? There’s good news for your wallet. With the recent reduction in Palm Beach County sales tax, residents can expect significant savings on high-ticket items. For instance, with the average new car price now at $50,080 (per Kelley Blue Book), this tax cut saves you over $250.
Important Dates & Holidays
| February 2 | 2% Property Tax Discount Ends |
| February 2 | Tourist Development Tax Due |
| February 3 | 1% Property Tax Discount Begins |
| February 16 | Presidents’ Day – Tax Collector Offices Closed |
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