NEW CONSTITUTIONAL HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION AMENDMENTS
Two constitutional amendments passed on November 7, 2006, regarding property tax benefits. The first is to increase the additional homestead exemption for low income seniors from $25,000 to $50,000, effective 2007. This is a local option exemption, meaning the governing board of the county and each municipality that offers the exemption can opt to increase the exemption up to $50,000.
No implementing language for this amendment has been passed by the Legislature. Therefore, it appears that even though this amendment was approved by the voters, the statutes still cap the exemption at $25,000. Additional legislative action will be needed to implement the provisions of the amendment.
The second is a benefit for veterans, and will be available for 2007! This benefit provides a percentage discount in property taxes equal to the percentage of a veteran's partial or total permanent combat related disability. For instance, a veteran who qualifies and has a 50% COMBAT RELATED disability would receive a 50% reduction in property taxes.
You may qualify if you can answer YES to ALL of the questions below:
Were you a Florida resident when you entered the military?
Do you currently receive a Homestead Exemption?
Were you at least 65 years of age on January 1st?
Do you have a partial or total permanent COMBAT RELATED disability?
Were you honorably discharged upon separation from military service?
If you answered yes to all of the above, you must apply on or before March 1st and supply:
A copy of your most current rating decision from the VA, including evidence that your disability is combat related, AND a copy of your DD-214
If you do not have your DD-214, please contact your County Veteran's Service Office for assistance in obtaining a duplicate copy. If you are unable to provide a DD-214, you must supply the following:
A copy of your most current rating decision from the VA, AND
Proof of Florida residency at the time of entering military service, AND
Evidence that your disability is combat related, AND
Proof of your date of birth
SURVIVING SPOUSE OF A DISABLED VETERAN
Can you answer YES to ALL of these questions?
Did your spouse have a service-connected disability of 10% or greater?
Was your spouse honorably discharged?
Was your spouse a permanent resident of Florida at the time of death?
Were you married to the Veteran for at least 5 years at the time of death?
If you have NOT remarried, and answered yes to all of the above, you may be eligible to receive an exemption of $5000 from the assessed value of your property. You must apply on or before March 1st and supply:
A copy of the veteran's death certificate or obituary, AND
Evidence of your marriage for at least the 5 years prior to the veteran's death, AND
Evidence that the veteran was a permanent Florida resident at the time of death, AND
A copy of the veteran's most current rating decision from the VA
You must apply ON OR BEFORE MARCH 1st!
| http://www.floridahomesteadservices.com |
