Jefferson County FL Tax Collector: Pay Taxes, Hours & Office
Use this updated Jefferson County Tax Collector guide to pay a Florida property tax bill, search the official tax roll, check the Monticello office address and hours, understand discount months, avoid wrong Jefferson County portals, handle delinquent or tangible tax issues carefully, and know when a Property Appraiser question is separate from a Tax Collector payment question.
Fast answer: this page is for the Jefferson County Tax Collector in Jefferson County, Florida, not Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Missouri, Texas or another Jefferson County. The official Tax Collector is listed as Shanna Boutwell, CFC. The office address is 500 West Walnut St., Monticello, FL 32345, phone 850-342-0147, main office hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00am–5:00pm EST, and driver license service hours are listed as 8:00am–4:30pm. The office states that it is not doing driving tests.
Official Source Audit: What Was Rechecked
This refresh keeps the page focused on Jefferson County, Florida. The old page had useful information, but it also included broad all-state deadline and penalty widgets that could distract users from the real local task: paying the correct Jefferson County, Florida tax bill through the correct official route.
Office verified
Jefferson County Tax Collector, Shanna Boutwell CFC, Monticello, Florida.
Address checked
500 West Walnut St., Monticello, FL 32345.
Payment path checked
The official site links to a property tax search and payment portal, but the direct portal may temporarily show unavailable.
YMYL safety
This guide does not collect taxes, process payments, guarantee portal uptime, calculate legal payoff, or give tax/legal advice.
Jefferson County Tax Collector Resolver: Make Sure It Is Florida
Many U.S. states have a Jefferson County, and several have a tax collector, collector, treasurer or assessor-collector office. This guide is only for Jefferson County, Florida, with the office in Monticello.
| Search result or clue | Likely office | Correct action |
|---|---|---|
| Monticello, FL / 500 West Walnut St. | Jefferson County, Florida Tax Collector | Use this page and official JeffersonTC / JeffersonCountyTaxCollector links. |
| Birmingham, Bessemer or JCCAL | Jefferson County, Alabama | Do not pay an Alabama bill through the Florida portal. |
| Beaumont, Port Arthur or Texas Tax Assessor-Collector | Jefferson County, Texas | Use the Texas county tax office instead. |
| Golden, CO / Jeffco Treasurer | Jefferson County, Colorado | Use the Colorado treasurer route, not this Florida office. |
| Pine Bluff, AR / Shanna Boutwell not shown | Could be Arkansas or another state | Confirm state, county and official domain before entering payment data. |
Property Tax Portal Status Warning
The official Jefferson County Tax Collector site links to a property tax search and payment portal. During verification, the direct portal response showed a system-unavailable message, so this page does not claim live portal access, live balance visibility, or guaranteed online payment availability.
Use the official site first
Start from the Tax Collector’s official website and follow its current Pay/Search Property Tax link.
If the portal is down
Do not keep retrying private payment pages. Call 850-342-0147 or use official office guidance.
Delinquent accounts need care
Old, delinquent, certificate-stage or tangible warrant accounts may need current payoff instructions from the office.
How to Pay Jefferson County FL Property Tax Online
The best online route is to begin at the official Jefferson County Tax Collector site, then use the official property tax search/payment link. Online payment should only be used when the bill, roll type, tax year, owner and property details clearly match.
Confirm this is Jefferson County, Florida
Match the property address, state, county, city/town area and official Tax Collector name before using any payment screen.
Open the official tax search route
Use the official Jefferson County Tax Collector site and follow its Pay/Search Property Tax link. Avoid search ads and copied third-party payment pages.
Search with one field at a time
If the portal is available, search by the supported options such as owner, address, property number or tax bill number. Do not overfill fields if the record does not appear.
Check roll type and tax year
Confirm whether the account is real estate property tax, tangible personal property tax, mobile home-related tax, or another account type before paying.
Review amount, discount and delinquent status
Check whether the bill is current-year, in a discount month, gross amount due, delinquent, advertised, certificate-stage, or tied to tangible personal property enforcement.
Save proof until the record updates
Keep your confirmation number, receipt, bank/card record, tax year, bill number and property details until the official tax record shows the payment correctly posted.
Jefferson County Tax Collector Office Address, Phone and Hours
The Monticello office is the local in-person route for Jefferson County, Florida Tax Collector services. Check holidays, temporary closures and service-specific cutoffs before visiting.
Monticello Office
Jefferson County Tax Collector
500 West Walnut St.
Monticello, FL 32345
Phone: 850-342-0147
Tax Collector: Shanna Boutwell, CFC
Published hours
- Main office: Monday–Friday, 8:00am–5:00pm EST
- Driver license service: 8:00am–4:30pm
- Driving tests: not being done at this office
- Holiday closures should be checked before visiting
What the Jefferson County Tax Collector Handles
The Tax Collector is responsible for collecting ad valorem taxes and other locally levied taxes. The office also acts as an agent for state departments, including services tied to revenue collection, motor vehicles, titles, mobile homes, boats, and hunting/fishing licenses.
| Service area | What it means for Jefferson County FL users | Best first action |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate property tax | Payment and collection for land, homes and real property after the roll is certified. | Use official tax search/payment route or call if record is missing. |
| Tangible personal property tax | Tax on business furniture/equipment and certain mobile home attachments after Property Appraiser assessment. | Verify account type and current/delinquent status before paying. |
| Delinquent real estate tax | Unpaid real estate taxes become delinquent April 1 and can move toward advertising and tax certificate sale. | Confirm current payoff with official source. |
| Tax certificates | Certificates are liens for unpaid real estate taxes; they are not a purchase of the property. | Use official tax sale/certificate instructions only. |
| Motor vehicle licenses and titles | Office processes vehicle licenses and title applications for automobiles, trucks, mobile homes and boats. | Bring service-specific documents and check driver license cutoff. |
| Driver license services | Services include driver licenses, renewals, reinstatement, ID cards, driving record searches, child support clearance, temporary permits and replacements. | Use FLHSMV/MyDMVPortal document guidance before visiting. |
| Hunting and fishing licenses | The office sells hunting and fishing licenses for the state. | Check current FWC eligibility and license type before paying. |
| Property record corrections | Name, address, location and assessed value changes are not handled by the payment counter. | Use Jefferson County Property Appraiser. |
Jefferson County Property Tax Discounts, Due Dates and Installment Timing
Jefferson County follows Florida’s property-tax collection pattern. Tax statements are mailed on or before November 1, with early-payment discounts decreasing month by month before delinquency begins.
November
Collection begins. Property tax and tangible personal property tax payments receive a 4% discount if paid by November 30.
December
December payments receive a 3% discount. The third installment-plan payment is due by December 31.
January / February
January payments receive a 2% discount, and February payments receive a 1% discount.
March 31 / April 1
Pay the gross amount by March 31. Unpaid taxes become delinquent on April 1.
Installment application
Applications for next year’s property tax installment payment plan are due by April 30.
June installment
The first installment plan payment is due on or before June 1. If not remitted by June 30, participation is canceled.
September installment
The second installment plan payment is due before September 30.
Delinquent Jefferson County FL Taxes and Tax Certificate Sale
Delinquent accounts are not the same as simple current-year payments. Once taxes become delinquent, penalties, interest, advertising costs, certificate sale rules or tangible warrants can change the payoff path.
| Issue | What official guidance says | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate delinquency | Unpaid real estate taxes become delinquent April 1 with a 3% penalty added. | Search current amount or call before paying an old balance. |
| Advertising | Delinquent real estate taxes are advertised once a week for three consecutive weeks before a tax certificate sale. | Expect advertising cost to be added if account reaches that stage. |
| Tax certificate sale | On or before June 1, the Tax Collector is required by law to hold a tax certificate sale for unpaid real estate taxes. | Use official tax sale route and do not treat certificates as property purchase. |
| Certificate interest bidding | Certificate sale is reverse-auction style, starting at 18% and bidding downward to the lowest bidder. | Investors should use official certificate sale instructions and risk review. |
| Redemption | Tax certificates must be redeemed by certified funds in U.S. dollars under the office’s stated certificate guidance. | Confirm payoff, certificate status and funds requirement directly. |
| Tax deed risk | Failure to redeem within the prescribed period can result in loss of the property at a Tax Deed Sale. | Do not rely on this guide as legal advice; use official instructions or qualified help. |
Tangible Personal Property Tax: Business Equipment and Mobile Home Attachments
Tangible personal property tax is different from a home’s real estate bill. Jefferson County’s official tax guidance describes tangible personal property as taxes against business furniture and equipment and attachments to a mobile home.
What may be included
Business furniture, equipment and qualifying personal property can be assessed separately from ordinary real estate.
Assessment side
The Property Appraiser handles value and assessment data. The Tax Collector handles collection after the roll is delivered.
Delinquent tangible tax
Unpaid tangible personal property becomes delinquent April 1 with 1.5% added each month. Warrants can follow if unpaid.
County-Held Certificates and Investor Caution
The official Jefferson County Tax Collector property tax page says county-held certificates may be available for purchase and instructs interested buyers to contact the Tax Collector’s office directly, confirm availability, and request the final purchase amount.
Call first
Confirm the desired certificate is still available and request the final purchase amount directly from the office.
Certified check
The official page says county certificate purchases are sent in or brought to the office by certified check.
W-9 / bidder number
First-time certificate holders may need a W-9. Returning bidders may use the same bidder number unless information changed.
Jefferson County Tax Collector vs Property Appraiser
The Tax Collector collects bills after the tax roll is certified. The Property Appraiser handles assessed value, exemptions, name/address/location changes and underlying property record questions.
Use Tax Collector for
- Paying real estate property tax
- Paying tangible personal property tax
- Current balance and payment posting questions
- Delinquent tax payoff routing
- Tax certificate sale and redemption payment process
- Vehicle titles, licenses and service windows
- Hunting and fishing license service
Use Property Appraiser for
- Assessed value or appraisal questions
- Homestead and other exemptions
- Property owner name or mailing address changes
- Property location and record corrections
- Property Search and Map Search
- Property Tax Estimator
- TRIM notice questions
Driver License, Vehicle Registration, Titles and No Driving Tests
The Jefferson County Tax Collector office provides several driver license and motor vehicle services, but the official page says the office is not doing driving tests. Do not plan a driving test at this office unless the official site later changes that statement.
Driver license services
Services listed include driver licenses, renewals, reinstatement, ID cards, driving record searches, child support clearance, temporary permits and replacements.
Documents to bring
The office lists certified birth certificate or valid U.S. passport, Social Security card, and two proofs of residential address for office visits. Name-change documents may be required if your name changed.
No driving tests
The official Jefferson County Tax Collector driver license page states that the office is not doing driving tests.
| Transaction | What to verify | Best route |
|---|---|---|
| License renewal or replacement | Whether you can use MyDMVPortal instead of visiting. | Use FLHSMV / MyDMVPortal link from the official Tax Collector page. |
| First-time or document-heavy license | Identity, Social Security, address proofs and name-change documents. | Prepare documents before arriving during driver license hours. |
| Non-U.S. citizen license service | Passport, I-94, Social Security card if issued, status documents and address proofs. | Use official document guidance and call if unsure. |
| CDL-related service | Medical card may be required unless you work for a government agency. | Confirm CDL and hazmat rules before visiting. |
| Driving test | Jefferson County office says it is not doing driving tests. | Use FLHSMV-approved testing route instead. |
Hunting and Fishing Licenses
The Tax Collector office states that it sells hunting and fishing licenses for the state. For license type, age/residency rules, seasons, permits and species-specific requirements, use Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission guidance before buying.
Fishing license
Confirm freshwater/saltwater, resident/nonresident and any permit needs before purchase.
Hunting license
Check state season, permit, safety and residency rules before assuming a license covers the activity.
Office purchase
Call 850-342-0147 before visiting if you need a specific permit, deadline-sensitive license or documentation help.
New Property Owner, Mortgage and Escrow Checklist
New owners and escrowed taxpayers should verify the official account early. Mailing delays, old owner records, lender timing and portal outages can create payment confusion close to discount or delinquency deadlines.
Check the Property Appraiser record
Confirm owner name, mailing address, property location and assessed value. If the record is wrong, contact the Property Appraiser.
Search the Tax Collector bill
Use the official Tax Collector property tax search route when available, and match tax year, roll type, property number and bill number.
Confirm escrow activity
If a mortgage company should pay the bill, verify whether the lender requested, scheduled or posted payment before paying personally.
Save closing and payment proof
Keep settlement documents, lender communications, portal receipts and bank/card records until the official tax record is correct.
Accessibility and Alternate Help
The Jefferson County Tax Collector accessibility statement says the office is committed to ensuring access to website information and services. If you have difficulty navigating the site or accessing information, contact staff for assistance or alternative access.
Call for help
Use the official office phone number, 850-342-0147, if a web page, form, portal or service link is inaccessible.
Ask for alternate format
If information is not accessible online, ask the office for requested information through alternative means.
Portal problem
If the property tax portal is unavailable or does not load, use the official Tax Collector contact route instead of private payment sites.
Common Jefferson County Tax Bill Problems and What to Do
Most problems come from one of six issues: wrong Jefferson County, portal unavailable, wrong search field, wrong roll type, Property Appraiser record issue, or delinquent payoff mismatch.
| Problem | Likely cause | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| No bill found | Wrong search field, owner name variation, property number format, tax year mismatch or portal outage. | Search one field at a time, then call 850-342-0147 if still missing. |
| Portal says unavailable | Official property portal may be temporarily down or inaccessible. | Start from JeffersonTC.com and use office phone guidance. |
| Wrong Jefferson County | Search result belongs to another state. | Confirm Monticello, Florida and 500 West Walnut St. before paying. |
| Owner, address or value is wrong | Tax roll or assessment data issue. | Contact Jefferson County Property Appraiser, not only the Tax Collector. |
| Amount changed after deadline | Penalty, interest, advertising cost, certificate stage or tangible warrant may apply. | Get a current payoff from the official office. |
| Business tangible bill appears | Business equipment or mobile home attachment may be assessed as tangible personal property. | Separate assessment questions from payment and delinquency questions. |
| Need driving test | Jefferson County office says it is not doing driving tests. | Use FLHSMV route for testing options. |
What to Bring Before Visiting the Monticello Office
Bring documents for the exact service. A current property-tax payment, delinquent certificate question, driver license renewal and title transaction do not use the same checklist.
For property tax
- Tax bill, bill number or property number
- Owner name and property location address
- Tax year and roll type
- Current official amount due
- Payment method accepted by the office
- Receipt or confirmation if following up
For tangible tax
- Business name and account details
- Tangible bill or notice
- Tax year and current payoff
- Any Property Appraiser filing documents
- Warrant or delinquent notice if received
For driver license
- Certified birth certificate or valid U.S. passport
- Social Security card
- Two proofs of residential address
- Certified name-change document if applicable
- Non-U.S. citizen documents if applicable
- Current medical card for CDL where required
Jefferson County Tax Collector Map and Directions
Use the official office address exactly: Jefferson County Tax Collector, 500 West Walnut St., Monticello, FL 32345. The Property Appraiser is nearby at a different Walnut Street address, so match the office before walking in or mailing documents.
Tax Collector Office Map
Property Appraiser Office Map
Official Jefferson County FL Tax Links
Use these official resources before relying on snippets, AI summaries, private payment pages, map pins, old screenshots or copied portal links.
Jefferson County Tax Collector FAQ
Which Jefferson County Tax Collector is this page about?
This page is about the Jefferson County Tax Collector in Jefferson County, Florida. The office is in Monticello, Florida. Do not use this page for Jefferson County offices in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Missouri, Texas or another state.
Who is the Jefferson County Florida Tax Collector?
The official Jefferson County Tax Collector site lists Shanna Boutwell, CFC as the Jefferson County Tax Collector.
Where is the Jefferson County FL Tax Collector office?
The office address is 500 West Walnut St., Monticello, FL 32345.
What is the Jefferson County Tax Collector phone number?
The official Tax Collector phone number is 850-342-0147.
What are Jefferson County Tax Collector office hours?
The official office hours are listed as Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm EST. Driver license service hours are listed as 8:00am to 4:30pm.
Does the Jefferson County Tax Collector do driving tests?
No. The official Tax Collector contact and driver license pages state that the office is not doing driving tests.
Can I pay Jefferson County property taxes online?
The official Tax Collector site links to a property tax search and payment portal. If the portal is unavailable or your bill is not current-year, call the office before relying on online payment.
Why is the Jefferson County property tax portal not loading?
The portal may be temporarily unavailable, blocked, or not usable for the account type you need. Start from the official Tax Collector website and call 850-342-0147 if the official portal does not load or the bill is not found.
When are Jefferson County FL property tax bills mailed?
The official property tax page says tax statements are mailed on or before November 1 of each year.
What Jefferson County FL property tax discounts apply?
The official discount schedule is 4% in November, 3% in December, 2% in January and 1% in February for eligible property tax or tangible personal property tax payments.
When do Jefferson County FL property taxes become delinquent?
Taxes become delinquent April 1 each year. Unpaid real estate tax bills receive a 3% penalty, and unpaid tangible personal property bills receive 1.5% per month.
What is a Jefferson County tax certificate?
A tax certificate is a lien created by payment of delinquent taxes. It is not a purchase of the property. Florida law requires the Tax Collector to hold a certificate sale for delinquent real estate taxes by the required annual timeline.
Who handles assessed value or exemption questions?
The Jefferson County Property Appraiser handles assessed value, exemptions, property search, map search, owner/name/address corrections and TRIM notice questions. The Tax Collector handles collection and payment after the roll is certified.
What if my tax bill shows the wrong owner name or address?
Contact the Jefferson County Property Appraiser for tax roll corrections such as name, address, location and assessed value. Paying the bill does not automatically correct the record.
Does the Tax Collector handle vehicle titles and registration?
Yes. The office acts as an agent for motor vehicle-related state services and processes licenses and title applications for automobiles, trucks, mobile homes and boats. Check document requirements and service hours first.
Does the office sell hunting and fishing licenses?
Yes. The official Tax Collector office page says the office sells hunting and fishing licenses for the state. Check current Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission requirements for license type and eligibility.
Is TaxCollectors.org the official Jefferson County Tax Collector website?
No. TaxCollectors.org is an independent guide. Complete payments, record actions, driver license tasks, title work, certificate purchases and official account checks only through the official Jefferson County Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, FLHSMV, Florida DOR or linked government websites.
Final Reminder Before You Pay or Visit
Use the Jefferson County Tax Collector for payment, collection, delinquent tax, certificate, driver license, vehicle title/registration and hunting/fishing license routing. Use the Jefferson County Property Appraiser for assessed value, exemptions, property record corrections and TRIM questions. If the official portal is unavailable, the bill is delinquent, or the amount does not match your records, pause and call the office before paying.
The TaxCollectors.org Editorial Team researches and reviews U.S. tax collector offices, property tax procedures, payment resources, deadlines, and official government links. TaxCollectors.org is an independent information publication operated by Quarks Systems Global Solutions.