Relocation

TAX INFORMATION

The Tax Collector has five permanent office locations and two mobile offices at convenient sites throughout the county. Phone 355-2622 for office address and hours. The Tax Collector collects property taxes for every government agency in Palm Beach County that has the authority to levy taxes. Ad valorem and non-ad valorem assessments are due on November 1, or as soon after as the tax roll is certified.

Discounts for property tax payments are allowed at the rate of 4 percent in November (or within 30 days from when the notice is mailed), 3 percent in December, 2 percent in January and 1 percent in February.

Exemptions such as homestead, disability and widow/widower are filed with the Property Appraiser’s Office. Call the Property Appraiser at 355-2866 for filing deadlines.

Taxes and non-ad valorem assessments become delinquent April 1, at which time 3 percent interest and advertising costs are added. The amount due on delinquent payments is determined by date received, not by postmark. Those liable for tangible personal property taxes must file their return with the Property Appraiser’s Office by April 1 or face penalties.

County Taxes
Ad Valorem Millage Rate (1997 Avg.)
County..............4.6
Special Districts...2.66
Schools.............9.58
Library.............0.5
Fire................2.57
Municipal...........varies

Local option gasoline tax - $.06 per gallon
Local option sales tax - none
Local option utility tax - 9%



State Taxes
Corporate income - 5.5%
Individual income - none
gasoline - $.121 per gallon
Gift tax - none


Homestead Exemption
(see detailed information under Neighborhood section of the Guide.)

Inheritance Tax
The state does not levy an inheritance tax except that part of the federal tax returned to the state by the federal government.

Intangible Tax
Florida has an intangible tax on stocks, bonds and other securities at the rate of $1 to $2 per $1,000 of valuation. This tax is assessed on the value of your assets beginning January 1 of each year. The tax is delinquent if not paid by July 1, and returns must be filed by June 30. For more information about Florida’s Intangible Tax, call the Department of Revenue at 1-800-352-3671.

Personal Income Tax
Florida is one of the few states that does not tax personal income. Such a tax is prohibited in the state constitution.

Retail Sales Tax
Florida levies a state sales tax of 6 percent. Food, medicine and professional services are exempt.

Tangible Tax
Florida’s tangible tax is applied to business’ personal property. A penalty of 25 percent of the value is assessed for failure to file a return. For more information, call the Tax Collector’s Office at 355-2274, or the Property Appraiser at 355-3230.

Utilities Tax
A legislative act permits municipalities to levy a city tax up to 10 percent on each utility bill. And some utility customers may be required to pay a small utility franchise tax.

[TOP]



UTILITIES

Electric
Electric service is provided by the Florida Power & Light Co., except in Lake Worth where it is provided by the Lake Worth Utilities Commission.

Florida Power & Light Co.
North Zone - 697-8000
South Zone - 395-8700

Lake Worth Utilities
All Areas - 533-7300

Natural Gas
Florida Public Utilities is the only supplier of natural gas and serves all of the county’s eastern municipalities
Florida Public Utilities
278-2636

Water & Sewage
Palm Beach County Utilities
641-3400

South Palm Beach County
278-5135

Telephone
Telephone service in Palm Beach County is provided exclusively by BellSouth Telephone 780-2355

Water Acme Improvement District
Serves in and around Wellington
Customers - 791-4000

Palm Beach County
641-3400

West Palm Peach
659-8080

Seacoast Utilities
Serves north county.
Customers - 627-2920
Water - 641-3400

Garbage & Recycling
Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County collects garbage, trash and recyclable materials.
Garbage - 697-2700
South County - 930-2727

Vehicle Emissions
Palm Beach County requires yearly emissions testing of all automobiles. A $10 fee is to be paid in cash at the time of inspection. For more information and testing location, call 684-2200 or 243-4800.

Voter Registration
You must be at least 18 years old and a permanent resident of Florida to register to vote. You must register 30 days before an election to be able to vote in that election. Call Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections, 355-2650, for more information.


[TOP]



IMPORTANT NUMBERS

All Emergencies
Police, Fire and Rescue...911
Boynton Beach Police...732-8116
Crime Stoppers...800-458-TIPS
Delray Police...243-7800
Lake Worth Police...586-1611
North Palm Beach Police...848-2525
Palm Beach County Sheriff...688-3000
Palm Beach Police...838-5454
West Palm Beach Police...837-4000
Poison Control Center...800-282-3171

Government Numbers
Animal Care & Control...233-1200
Auto License Plates...355-2622
Business Occupational License County...355-2272
West Palm Beach...659-8096
Clerk of the Court...355-2996
County Commission...355-2001
County Courthouse Central (Main West Palm Beach)...355-2192
Glades...996-4800
North County (Palm Beach Gardens)...624-6500
South County (Delray Beach)...274-1400
County Government Center...355-2040
County Health Unit...840-4500
Florida Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission...625-5122
Florida Highway Patrol...540-1145
Florida Job Service...837-5680
Garbage Pickup...697-2700
Gun Permits...640-6144
Internal Revenue Service...800-829-4477
Library...233-2600
Marriage Licenses...355-2230
Parks & Recreation...966-6600
Passports...355-1586
Post Office...697-2027
Property Appraiser...355-3230
Roads & Bridges...233-3950
School Board...684-5000
Small Business Administration...833-1712
Social Security Administration...800-772-1213
Sports Commission...233-1015
State Attorney...355-7100
Supervisor of Elections...355-2650
U.S. Coast Guard...844-4470
Veterans Affairs...355-4761
Voter Registration...355-2650

Citizen Services
AIDS Hotline...800-590-2437
Alcoholics Anonymous...684-8800
Better Business Bureau...686-2200
Child Abuse Hotline...342-9152
Child Care Referral...832-0844
Consumer Affairs...233-4820
Convention & Visitors Bureau...471-3995
Crisis Suicide Intervention...800-222-1435
Cultural Council...471-2901
Disabled Services...355-7343
Legal Aid Society...655-8944
Lawyer Referral Services...687-3266
Weather/Time...832-3801


[TOP]

Information was obtained from local area sites, including but not limited to palmbeaches.com, lakeworth.org, westplambeach.com and is beleived to be reliable. Please report any errors to webmaster@lakeworthcity.com
Revised 09/27/98 LakeWorthCity.com