Clermont Property Taxes Explained For Homebuyers

Thinking about buying a home in Clermont and wondering what your property taxes will look like? You are not alone. Understanding how taxes are assessed, what exemptions you may qualify for, and when to act can help you budget with confidence and avoid surprises at closing. In this guide, you will learn how Clermont and Lake County property taxes work, which breaks and caps may lower your bill, and the key steps to take before and after you buy. Let’s dive in.

Property tax basics in Clermont

Property taxes in Clermont are calculated in two parts: value and rate. Your property’s taxable value is set by the Lake County Property Appraiser. The total tax rate, called the millage rate, is set each year by local taxing authorities.

How the bill is calculated

• Taxable value = assessed (just) value or capped value for homestead properties, minus exemptions.
• Annual tax = taxable value × total millage rate. Millage is tax per $1,000 of taxable value.
• Your total millage is the sum of all authorities that levy on your parcel.

Who sets millage

Several authorities can appear on a Clermont bill:

• Lake County government
• City of Clermont if the home is inside city limits
• Lake County School District
• Special districts such as Community Development Districts, Municipal Service Taxing Units, fire, library, or other service districts

For parcel-specific details, you can review assessments with the Lake County Property Appraiser and billing with the Lake County Tax Collector. Millage rates are adopted each year by the county, city, school board, and relevant districts following public hearings.

Assessment, exemptions, and caps

January 1 assessment snapshot

Florida sets values as of January 1 each year. The Lake County Property Appraiser determines just value based on market conditions, then prepares the tentative tax roll for notices later in the year.

Homestead exemption

If you make your Clermont property your permanent residence and meet eligibility requirements, the homestead exemption can reduce your taxable value before millage is applied. You must file an application with the Lake County Property Appraiser by the annual deadline and provide typical residency documentation. If approved, the exemption lowers your taxable value and also connects to other protections under Florida law.

Save Our Homes cap

For properties with an approved homestead, Florida’s Save Our Homes (SOH) program limits annual increases to assessed value. The cap is the lower of 3 percent or the change in the Consumer Price Index. This helps keep year-to-year tax increases more predictable for owner-occupants.

If you purchase a non-homesteaded home, your assessed value will typically reset closer to market value in the following year. After you establish homestead, the SOH cap starts from that new base.

Portability when you move

If you already have a Florida homestead, you may be able to port your SOH benefit to your next Florida homestead under state rules. Portability can reduce the assessed value on your new home. There are limits, timing requirements, and forms to file with the property appraiser, so plan ahead during your move.

Special assessments to watch

CDDs and MSTUs

Many master-planned communities in Florida use Community Development Districts (CDDs) to fund infrastructure. CDD charges often appear on your tax bill as non-ad valorem assessments and can be significant. Municipal Service Taxing Units (MSTUs) may also fund services like lighting or stormwater in specific areas.

These assessments are tied to the property, not the owner, and continue after a sale. Ask the seller for the most recent tax bill and disclosures. Your title and closing documents should also show any CDDs or special assessments.

Verify city limits and districts

Whether a home is inside the City of Clermont affects your millage rate and services. It can also affect which special districts apply. Confirm municipal boundaries and districts using county parcel search tools or city maps before you make an offer.

Timeline and deadlines

TRIM notice in late summer

In late summer, owners receive a TRIM notice showing proposed assessed value, listed exemptions, and proposed millage rates from each authority. The notice includes hearing dates for millage decisions and the deadline to petition the Value Adjustment Board if you want to appeal your assessment.

Tax bills and discounts

Tax bills are typically mailed in November by the Lake County Tax Collector. Florida counties commonly offer early payment discounts, then apply the full amount and penalties after the due date. Review the Tax Collector’s annual schedule for exact dates and discount percentages.

Filing for exemptions and appeals

File homestead and other exemptions with the Lake County Property Appraiser by the annual deadline. If you disagree with your assessed value, use your TRIM notice to submit a petition to the Lake County Value Adjustment Board within the listed timeframe.

What to expect at closing

Prorating taxes

In most Clermont home sales, property taxes are prorated at closing. The seller pays for their portion of the year based on days of ownership, and you pay your share from the closing date forward. The precise method is defined in your purchase contract and final settlement statement.

Escrow and monthly budget

Many lenders require a tax escrow. If escrowed, your lender collects a monthly portion of your taxes with your mortgage payment and pays the bill when due. If you pay taxes directly, track the November bill and any early-payment discounts to avoid penalties.

Avoid surprises

Ask the listing agent or seller for:

• The latest tax bill with all line items
• A list of ongoing special assessments, including CDDs and MSTUs
• Confirmation that no tax certificates or liens are outstanding

After you close: 7-step checklist

1. Confirm your mailing address with the Lake County Property Appraiser and Tax Collector so you receive notices and bills.
2. Apply for the homestead exemption as soon as you meet residency requirements and before the annual deadline.
3. If moving from another Florida homestead, ask the property appraiser about portability and submit the required forms on time.
4. Verify your lender’s escrow setup or set calendar reminders to pay directly.
5. Save your closing documents and prior tax bill for reference.
6. Watch for your late-summer TRIM notice to review value, exemptions, and proposed millage, and note appeal deadlines.
7. Keep a file with proof of residency and any exemption paperwork for future renewals or audits.

Example tax estimate

Here is a simple illustration to help you estimate. Replace the placeholders with your parcel’s actual numbers from Lake County sources.

• Assessed or market value: $350,000
• Homestead exemption (if eligible): $50,000
• Taxable value: $300,000
• Total millage: X mills, where 1 mill equals $1 per $1,000 of taxable value
• Estimated annual tax = (Taxable value ÷ 1,000) × Total mills = 300 × X

Because millage and assessments vary by location and year, always pull current rates from your TRIM notice or the Property Appraiser and confirm the discount schedule with the Tax Collector.

Appeals and delinquencies

If you disagree with value

Use your TRIM notice to identify the assessed value you want to challenge. File a petition with the Lake County Value Adjustment Board by the deadline shown on the notice. Many owners use recent comparable sales or an appraisal to support their case.

If taxes go unpaid

If property taxes are not paid, the county can sell tax certificates to investors. Continued nonpayment can lead to tax deed proceedings, which can put ownership at risk. The Lake County Tax Collector publishes procedures and timelines for certificate sales and deed auctions. Confirm at closing that all taxes are current and no tax certificates are outstanding on the home you are buying.

Smart budgeting tips

• Spread the annual bill into a monthly amount so you can compare homes and neighborhoods on a true cost basis.
• Consider how the homestead exemption and SOH cap may lower your long-term tax burden if you plan to occupy the home.
• If a property is currently homesteaded by the seller, remember your assessed value can reset closer to market after you buy. Build that into next year’s budget.
• Ask early about CDDs and other non-ad valorem assessments. These can vary widely by community and can materially change your annual costs.

Ready for local guidance?

If you want help evaluating property taxes while you shop in Clermont, we are here for you. Winter Garden Real Estate & Property Management offers hands-on buyer representation and end-to-end support, including post-closing guidance for exemptions and escrow setup. Schedule a Consultation to get started.

FAQs

How do Clermont property taxes work for new buyers?

• Your tax is the taxable value set by the Lake County Property Appraiser minus exemptions, multiplied by the total millage adopted by local authorities.

What is the homestead exemption in Lake County?

• If the home is your permanent residence and you meet eligibility rules, the homestead exemption reduces your taxable value and connects to Save Our Homes protections.

How does Save Our Homes affect my taxes?

• With an approved homestead, annual increases to assessed value are capped at the lower of 3 percent or CPI, which helps stabilize year-to-year taxes.

Can I transfer my Save Our Homes benefit when moving?

• Florida’s portability rules may let you transfer part of your SOH benefit to a new Florida homestead if you apply within required timelines.

What are CDD fees in Clermont communities?

• Community Development District charges fund infrastructure and often appear as non-ad valorem assessments on the tax bill, separate from ad valorem taxes.

When are property tax bills mailed in Lake County?

• Bills are generally mailed in November, with early-payment discounts commonly available; check the Tax Collector’s current schedule each year.

How do I appeal my property assessment in Lake County?

• Use the deadline on your TRIM notice to petition the Lake County Value Adjustment Board and present evidence such as comparable sales.

Will my mortgage include property tax escrow?

• Many lenders require an escrow account, collecting monthly tax portions and paying the bill for you, but some buyers pay directly under lender-approved terms.