Page 4 - The Shores of Jupiter - September '23
P. 4

Page 4, The Shores
      tax talk




      Dear Friends:                                      only takes a few minutes to                         In a letter of recommendation, Congresswoman Lois
        Your home is one of your biggest investments and to help   complete. To sign up, visit             J. Frankel said, “Anne M. Gannon has transformed her
      you protect that investment, I recommend that you sign up   the Clerk’s website at www.              agency with modern technology and common sense. She
      for Property Fraud Alert. What is Property Fraud Alert? It is   mypalmbeachclerk.com/                has taken the frustration out of things like renewing
      a free service offered by the Palm Beach County Clerk of the   services/property-fraud-alert.        driver’s licenses and paying taxes.  Anne is truly an
      Circuit Court & Comptroller that will protect your property     Once you sign up, you                innovator and leader.”
      from fraud by monitoring the documents that are recorded in   will receive an alert either by          Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Wendy
      the Official Records of the Clerk. It is free to register, and it   email or phone, when there is    Sartory Link said in her nomination letter, “As a fellow
                                                         activity associated with your                     constitutional officer in Palm Beach County, I know
                                                         property. This could save                         first-hand the impact Anne has made since she first took
        Property Appraiser’s Office from page 3          valuable time to stop criminals                   office as Tax Collector in 2006. The precision she exhibits
                                                         in their tracks if the activity is                in collecting more than $4 billion in tax dollars and
        individuals: two from the county’s board of commissioners,   not initiated by you. I’ve signed up and I have peace of mind   ultimately returning those dollars to the taxing authorities
        one from the county’s school board, and two citizen   knowing that I will be alerted should there be fraudulent activity   is extremely admirable and valuable to the residents of
        members. They approve and hire special magistrates who are   associated with my property. You should too!  Palm Beach County.”
        experienced in property appraisal techniques or legal matters                    Anne M. Gannon,     I am honored to be recognized by the NACCTFO as
        to conduct hearings and recommend decisions to the VAB                 Constitutional Tax Collector,   2023’s Outstanding County Collector and to be recognized
        for final approval. Special Magistrates will review property            Serving Palm Beach County  for the agency’s commitment to delivering exceptional
        valuation, denials of portability, deferrals, and change of                                        service to the residents of Palm Beach County. This
        ownership or control determinations. All final rulings are   anne Gannon honored                   recognition would not have been possible without our
        determined by the VAB.                                                                             dedicated team of 320 employees whose mission is to
                                                           At this year’s National                         provide unparalleled service that inspires trust.
        Filing a petition                                Association of County
                                                         Collectors, Treasurers                            agency Wins communications
          Florida law sets the deadlines for filing a petition on or   and Finance Officers
        before the 25th day following the mailing of the notice from   (NACCTFO) conference                awards!
        our office. This year’s deadline is Sept. 12. These deadlines   I was honored to receive
        do not change, even if you choose to discuss the issue with   the “Outstanding County                I am proud that our Communications
        our office. The VAB may charge $15-plus for filing a petition.  Collector, Treasurer  and          & New Media Group (CNMG) has been
          PDF petition forms are available on our website or online   Finance  Officer Award.”             recognized for outstanding work in
        petition filing is available through the Clerk of the Circuit   This national organization         communications for our office. First,
        Court and Comptroller.                           presents the distinguished                        in early July, the team was honored to
          Once a petition is filed, you will receive a notice with the   annual award to a person          receive a national communication
        date, time, and location of your hearing at least 25 days before   who “…serves as a leader        concepts apex awards for  publication  excellence
        your hearing date. You can reschedule your hearing once for   in their home state and as a professional of the highest
        good cause. If your hearing is rescheduled, the clerk will send   caliber in the operation of their own county office.”   Tax Talk on page 5
        notice at least 15 days before the rescheduled hearing.
          Fifteen days prior to the scheduled petition hearing, you
        are required to provide a list and summary of evidence that                               18079 Lake Bend Dr.
        you will present at the hearing. You can submit your evidence                               Escape to a serene cul-de-sac
                                                                                                   retreat. This 3-bed, 2-bath pool
        electronically through the Clerk of the Circuit Court and                                home boasts a captivating lake view.
        Comptroller. Seven days before the VAB hearing, our office is                             Embrace tranquility and schedule
        required to provide you with a list and summary of evidence,                                your private viewing today!
        which will be presented at the hearing.
                                                              Under                              18205 Lake Bend Dr.
        the hearing                                          ContraCt                             your morning coffee overlooking
                                                                                                   Sit out on your dock enjoying
                                                                                                     your lake view in this
          At the VAB hearing, you may represent yourself or                                              3 bed, 2 bath
        seek assistance from a professional. Some examples of                                          CBS Pool Home
        professional representation might include an attorney, a                               Call for any Real Estate
        licensed real estate appraiser or broker, or a certified public   Your Shores Specialist  questions or needs
        accountant. If someone who is not a licensed professional
        represents you, you must sign the petition or provide written
        authorization or power of attorney for your representative.
          During the hearing, a special magistrate hired by the
        VAB will ask you to present your evidence and testimony
        in support of your petition. In most cases, to win a reduction
        in appraised value before the VAB, you must prove that the
        county’s appraisal of your property exceeded market value
        and explain why. A representative from our office will then
        present evidence in support of the property valuation, denied
        exemption, etc., depending on the issue. You will have another
        opportunity to comment before the end of the hearing.
          Keep in mind, although the decision of the magistrate is
        binding, the hearing itself is an informal process. The VAB
        will mail you a written copy of its final decision. Regardless of
        the outcome of your hearing, you must pay all or the required
        portion of your taxes by April 1 to keep your petition valid
        and avoid additional cost and fees.
        after the hearing


          The VAB must issue all final decisions within 20
        calendar days of the last day it was in session. You may
        file a lawsuit in circuit court if you do not agree with the
        VAB’s decision.
          For more information about the VAB in Palm Beach
        County, email vab@mypalmbeachclerk.com or call them
        at (561) 355-6289.
        Holiday Office Closure


          The Palm Beach
        County Property
        Appraiser’s Office
        (including all of
        our service centers)
        will be closed in
        observance of
        Labor Day on
        Monday, Sept. 4.
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