How do I appeal property taxes in Orange County, Florida?

The Orange County process, step by step

1. 1Get your TRIM notice from the Orange County Property Appraiser, mailed in August (approximately Aug 14, 2026 for 2026), showing assessed value, exemptions, and proposed millage.
2. 2File your Form DR-486 petition with the Orange County Value Adjustment Board within 25 days of the mailing date (occompt.com). The residential fee is $15, and the 2026 deadline lands around Sept 8, 2026.
3. 3Pull comparables from the OCPAFL site (ocpafl.org): similar homes assessed lower than yours, or that sold for less than your assessed value. Three to seven same-area comparables adjusted for size and condition is the standard winning package.
4. 4Present to a special magistrate, a short, informal hearing. The magistrate recommends a value and the board ratifies. Homeowners routinely appear without attorneys.
5. 5Verify your exemptions: the homestead exemption (up to $50,000 off assessed value) and the 3% Save Our Homes cap. If you bought recently, the cap reset at purchase and your first assessments deserve real scrutiny.

The Orlando angle (yes, the Florida Orange County)

This page covers Orange County, Florida, home of Orlando, not the California county of the same name. Orlando's mix skews heavily toward exactly the property types where Florida appeals pay: short-term rentals and second homes near the attractions carry no Save Our Homes protection (10% cap only, none on school levies), and the region's constant new construction gets first-year assessments set from scratch. Homesteaded owners who bought recently also start uncapped.

The statewide walkthrough covers the DR-486, the $15 fee, and the hearing. The free check reads your actual assessed value from the state roll, all Orange County parcels included, and shows the comparable gap before you spend anything.