Tax Collector Announces Closure of American Legion’s Winter Haven Tag Agency

In partnership with the American Legion Post 8, the Tax Collector for Polk County announces the permanent closure of the Winter Haven Tag Agency after serving the citizens of Winter Haven for nearly 70 years.

The American Legion has decided to focus its efforts on traditional American Legion initiatives such as supporting American Legion baseball, Boys and Girls State, and Veterans’ affairs. Joe G. Tedder, Tax Collector for Polk County, says “The Legion has been an amazing asset for auto dealers, the people of Winter Haven, and the residents in East Polk County for many years. When I became the Tax Collector in January of 1997, I was excited about the public/private relationship with the Legion and was honored to have a small part in helping that outstanding organization.”

Over recent years, it has become more of a challenge for the Winter Haven Tag Agency to adequately serve citizens because of a fee structure that remains unchanged under Florida law. By state statute, the fees the Legion and the Tax Collector’s Office receive to run its operations have not changed in 40 years.

Tedder stated, “No business or organization can survive on a revenue stream that is the same today as it was when I entered college. These fee amounts are the same for Florida’s Tax Collectors, so we well understand the situation our friends at the American Legion faced.”

Under a unique state law created in the 1950s, all vehicle registration and title work outside of Bartow was authorized to be conducted by local American Legion Posts in the remainder of Polk County. It is a testament to the Veterans at the Winter Haven American Legion Post 8, including staff, that their service to the public well exceeded the longevity experienced by similar civic organizations.

The Post 8 Executive Committee and Post Commander Dave Dershimer came to this difficult decision after great consideration of their options, including the opportunity to operate under a private tag agency model, as established under Florida Statutes in 2022. Commander Dershimer stated, “We know this is in the best interest, long term, for the Post. We stand ready to assist Tax Collector Tedder as he works to find ways to take care of our customers.”

The Tax Collector’s Office will continue to evaluate its options to serve the people in the Winter Haven area. Currently, those in Winter Haven seeking to conduct vehicle registration and title work can visit one of following service locations:

Bartow Service Center – 430 East Main St

Davenport Service Center – 2000 Deer Creek Commerce Ln

Lake Alfred Service Center – 200 Government Center Blvd

Lake Wales Service Center – 658 State Road 60

Lakeland Service Center – 916 N Massachusetts Ave

First Lakeland Tag Agency (FLTA) – 4130 Florida Avenue S

FLTA Davenport Dealer Only Service Desk – 2000 Deer Creek Commerce Ln

Note: Dealers are directed to use First Lakeland Tag Agency locations.

Visit www.polktaxes.com for additional Service Center information or for more information on the First Lakeland Tag Agency, including fees, visit https://www.autotagagency.net/locations/florida/polk-county/first-lakeland-tag-agency/.