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Too often, the title “Tax Collector” is associated with what is taken, rarely with what is given back. Here in Miami Dade County, we are changing that narrative. Behind every dollar we collect is a mission to return it swiftly, responsibly, and transparently because that money doesn’t belong to the government. It belongs to the people we serve.
State law authorizes us to retain 2% of all taxes collected. However, we have built a budget that gives most of it back, returning more than 61% of that commission to the County and other taxing authorities. This approach keeps the focus on efficient collections, fair distributions, and service, not politics. As part of that same commitment, we also waived the 2% commission for municipalities and the Unincorporated Municipal Service Area; returning nearly $40 million directly to local communities.
This year alone, the Miami Dade County Tax Collector’s Office has distributed over $9.6 billion to the county, municipalities, agencies, and taxing authorities, helping to fund police and fire departments, schools, trash pickup, parks, libraries, and infrastructure. And as outlined by the Florida Department of Revenue, our structure ensures that taxing authorities who set millage rates have no financial or budgetary influence over our operations.
Our work doesn’t stop at disbursing funds. We also invest revenues responsibly, generating interest on public dollars whether from property taxes, state fees like driver licenses and vehicle registrations, or local business taxes. That interest is distributed on a pro-rata basis to taxing authorities. To date, our office has disbursed more than $17 million in interest earnings to over 30 taxing authorities, further maximizing the value of every public dollar.
Our reach extends far beyond property tax collections. We process millions of motor vehicle registrations, driver’s licenses, and other transactions each year—generating and distributing tens of millions of dollars to the State of Florida and local governments. These services are delivered with precision and efficiency, ensuring every public dollar is collected, accounted for, and returned where it belongs.
In this fiscal year alone, our office has delivered significant revenues to the State of Florida: $46.8 million from 3.9 million motor vehicle registration transactions and $5.9 million from more than 150,000 driver’s license transactions since we assumed responsibility in January. Each month, we are taking over or opening new tax collector’s offices and handling more transactions thanks to increased efficiencies. These contributions reflect the scale of our operations and our role in ensuring state services are well-funded.
We do not just collect taxes. We distribute efficiently, equitably, and with the public trust at the forefront. Cities and agencies benefit from economies of scale, avoiding costly, inconsistent back office systems by relying on a centralized, professional operation. That means faster processing, stronger fraud prevention, and significant cost savings.
Through operational efficiencies alone, we have already saved over $4 million, funds reinvested into frontline services.
We have also expanded our footprint. In addition to our offices in Downtown, Flagami, Westchester, North Dade, Florida City, Kendall, we are opening full service branches in Coral Gables and Miami Beach, with more coming to Miami Gardens, Hialeah Gardens, and Northside. From full service branches to convenient kiosks in neighborhood Publix stores, our mission is to make it easier than ever for residents to access the services they need, right where they live.
To that end, we have installed five new self service kiosks in Doral, Homestead, West Kendall, Miami Beach, and near The Falls. In just three months, these kiosks processed over 5,200 tag renewals.
For the first time, our offices are now open on Saturdays. We have also implemented a virtual walk-in system that has replaced the long lines of the past with faster, more efficient service.
Beyond the technical advantages, our work is deeply personal. Revenue we collect and return becomes safer streets, clean neighborhoods, better schools, after school programs, housing initiatives, and investments in seniors and youth.
We don’t just serve from behind a desk. Through townhalls, Cafecito Connections, and our mobile office, we meet residents face to face, listening, solving, and staying connected to the people we represent.
When residents visit one of our branches for a license, registration, or tax payment, we aim to provide not just a transaction, but a public service experience they can trust.
Our office is not about bureaucracy. It is about building bridges between the dollars residents pay and the quality of life they deserve.
When we say “Tax Collector,” we mean protector of public dollars, distributor of vital funding, and partner in community progress.
And we are just getting started.
