Joe G. Tedder, Tax Collector for Polk County, Lake Wales

09/06/2026

HAAAPPPY and Happy Football Season 🏈 to all those who observe. Let’s KICK off, with a way to support your favorite college or university: by purchasing a to benefit its programs!

There are SO MANY to choose from. Whether you purchase a Florida State University plate, or University of Florida, University of Central Florida, University of South Florida… or ANY of the (numerous) others, the cost to purchase goes to help school programs – and shows your school pride.

Joe says “GO NOLES!” (Want to see the entire catalogue of specialty plates? Visit FLHSMV’s site: https://bit.ly/3Xd82bE).

09/04/2026

💡Reminder. Our offices will be CLOSED on Monday, September 7, 2026, for Labor Day. Our regular business hours will resume Tuesday, September 8, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thank you!

Read more here: https://www.polktaxes.com/polk-county-tax-collector-locations-will-be-closed-on-labor-day/

The Tax Collector’s tag agency partners First Lakeland Tag Agency, Express Auto Tags of North Lakeland, Express Auto Tags of Winter Haven, and Express Auto Tags of Lake Wales will also be closed for the holiday on Monday. However, these partners will be open for their regular hours on Saturday, September 5, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

09/03/2026

Congratulations to this new driver, Wyatt Bailey, who passed his Road Test (to get his driver’s license) in Lakeland with a PERFECT 💯 score! That’s an accomplishment!

Great job, Wyatt. 🏅Stay safe out there! To celebrate, we give him (and all who earn a perfect test score) a special challenge coin.

09/03/2026

¡Buenos días, dueños de negocios de ! Queremos ayudarles a ahorrar dinero siempre que sea posible. ☀

Por eso, les recordamos que deben renovar su Recibo de Impuesto Comercial Local del Condado (BTR) (pagar sus impuestos) antes de que termine este mes para evitar cargos por pagos atrasados.

¡Pueden pagar fácilmente en línea! ¿Tiene un negocio nuevo? ¡También puede descargar el formulario en línea!

Sugerimos a los clientes que solo hablan Español que traigan un traductor a nuestra oficina para que podemos darle un servicio preciso y más rápido.

09/02/2026

Congratulations to this new driver, Lily Fleniken, who recently passed her Road Test in Bartow (to get her driver's license) with a PERFECT 💯 score! That’s an accomplishment!

Great job, Lily. 🏅 Stay safe out there! To celebrate, we give her (and all who earn a perfect test score) a special challenge coin.

09/01/2026

September is National DMV Appreciation Month. The perfect time to recognize the incredible lifesaving work happening right at the counter!

Did you know that 90% of organ donor registrations happen at the DMV?
The staff members assisting you are on the front lines of making second chances possible, turning a simple check of a box into an act that saves lives. 💙💚

Through organ, eye and tissue donation, your story continues and we owe a huge thank you to our local DMV team members for helping make it happen.

09/01/2026

Good morning, business owners of ! We want to save you money whenever possible. ☀

So, here’s a reminder: be sure to renew your County Local Business Tax Receipt, BTR, (pay your taxes) by the end of this month to avoid being charged any late fees!

For convenience, you can pay online! New business? Download the form online! Just visit www.PolkTaxes.com.

08/31/2026

🏆

Here we have our STAFF Tag Art contest finalists! Thanks to everyone who voted. These talented team members deserve the love! 🎉

🥇 FIRST PLACE: Ashley Dickerson
(Joe G. Tedder, Tax Collector for Polk County, Lake Wales)

🥈 SECOND PLACE: Shianne Doucet
(Joe G. Tedder, Tax Collector for Polk County, Lake Wales)

🥉 THIRD PLACE: Lauren Gibbs
(Joe G. Tedder, Tax Collector's Office - Lakeland)

They will receive a prize AND their tag will be available for sale. (Proceeds of sales go to elementary school art teachers.) Stay tuned! We’ll have a link for ordering tags soon. 🎉 Polk County Public Schools Department of Fine Arts

08/31/2026

❗️ We will be CLOSED on Labor Day – Monday, September 7, 2026.

“By observing this Labor Day holiday each year, we recognize all the dedicated people whose hard work strengthens Polk County every day,” Tax Collector Joe G. Tedder said.

Our regular business hours will resume Tuesday, September 8, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thank you! Read more here: https://www.polktaxes.com/polk-county-tax-collector-locations-will-be-closed-on-labor-day/

➡ The Tax Collector’s tag agency partners First Lakeland Tag Agency, Express Auto Tags of North Lakeland, Express Auto Tags of Winter Haven, and Express Auto Tags of Lake Wales will also be closed for the holiday on Monday. However, these partners will be open for their regular hours on Saturday, September 5, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

08/30/2026

Happy ! This one comes in at 36th most-registered in Florida, the .

According to the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations, the $20 registration fee for this plate goes to help fund local:

👉 Classroom innovation
👉 School supplies
👉 Education enrichment programs
👉 Student scholarships
👉 Supporting and recognizing teachers
👉 Extra help and mentoring for at-risk students

Have a wonderful Sunday! Visit PolkTaxes.com for more. Polk Education Foundation Polk County Public Schools