An Independent, Constitutional Office

The Florida Constitution established the Tax Collector’s Office as an independent agency in 1885. An elected public official, the Tax Collector is part of a system that limits (checks) the County Commission’s power by carrying out specific duties of statewide concern at the county level (balances). This separation frees the Tax Collector from influence by local or state agencies that have the power to levy taxes.

Anne M. Gannon is the first woman elected to the office of Constitutional Tax Collector in Palm Beach County. Elected by an overwhelming majority in 2006, she was re-elected in 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020. Other constitutional officers serving Palm Beach County are the Clerk & Comptroller, Property Appraiser, Sheriff and Supervisor of Elections.

Tax Collector Responsibilities

Constitutional Tax Collector Anne Gannon leads the Tax Collector’s Office with specific authority and purpose, similar to a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a business. Under her leadership, the Tax Collector’s office provides a wide range of services on behalf of local, state and federal agencies. These services include real estate and tangible personal property taxes, local business tax and tourist development tax.

As an agent for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, our office also provides motor vehicle and vessel services, driver licenses and state identification cards and disabled person parking permits.

We are also pleased to offer a number of additional services for your convenience. These services include TSA Pre✔®, digital fingerprinting, hunting and fishing licenses, SunPass transponders, certified copies of Florida birth certificates and our New Business Listing subscription service.

How We Are Funded

The Tax Collector’s Office is not funded by taxes. Our operating budget is funded solely by the fees and commissions we earn on every service transaction we provide. These fees and commissions are outlined in the Florida Statutes, and established by the Florida Legislature.

The Florida Department of Revenue reviews and approves our budget every fiscal year, including any requested budget amendments and/or transfers. Our fiscal year is Oct. 1 to Sep. 30.

Due to our cost effective operation, we often collect fees in excess of our operating budget. We do not keep this excess. We distribute any excess revenue to local taxing authorities in proportion to the amount of tax levied.