What you should do to receive benefits of Amendment 1?

Citizens voted January 29th to change the property tax system in Florida. To receive some of the benefits of the changes enacted January 29th, certain citizens must take action by March 3, 2008.

The Constitutional amendment created four new opportunities for taxpayers to obtain tax relief:

1. Increased homestead exemption

2. Portability of “Save our Homes” benefit

3. $25,000 exemption for tangible personal property

4. 10% annual assessment limitation for non-homestead property

What taxpayers must do to receive these new benefits?

1. Increased homestead exemption – Homeowners that are currently receiving the homestead exemption will automatically receive the increased homestead exemption. No action is necessary.

2. Portability of “Save our Homes” benefits – If you received the homestead exemption in 2007 on a home that you sold or otherwise abandoned during 2007 and have purchased a new home by January 1, 2008, you are eligible to take some or all of the benefit of “Save our Homes” to your new home. In order to receive this benefit, you must apply by March 3, 2008 for your new homestead exemption and for the transfer of the “Save Our Homes” benefit to your new homestead for 2008.

3. $25,000 exemption for tangible personal property – Tangible personal property taxes apply only to certain taxpayers in Florida – typically businesses and certain owners of mobile homes. The tax does not apply to homesteaded property. In order to receive the $25,000 exemption for tangible personal property, taxpayers subject to the tax must file a tangible personal property tax return with the property appraiser. Failure to file a tax return by April 1, or within any applicable extension period, will be subject to late filing penalties. The $25,000 exemption will not be lost as a result of late filing.

4. 4. 10% limit on annual assessment increases for non-homestead property – The 10% limitation does not apply until next year. No application is necessary for 2008.

If you have any questions about what action you must take to receive these new benefits, please contact our office at 850-651-7240 or 850-689-5900.