Page 14 - Abacoa Community News - September '19

FAU FeAtUReS
Page 14, Abacoa

gOveRnment

Property Appraiser’s Office

Keep in mind, although the decision of the magistrate
Taxpayers, is binding, the hearing itself is an informal process. The
Happy Autumn! VAB will mail you a written copy of its final decision.
As we head into In most cases, to win a reduction in appraised value
September, all property before the VAB, you must prove that the county’s appraisal
owners in Palm Beach of your property exceeded market value and explain why.
County have now received Regardless of the outcome of your hearing, you must
their 2019 Notice of pay all or the required portion of your taxes by April 1 to
Proposed Property Taxes keep your petition valid and avoid additional cost and fees.
and Assessments from my After The Hearing
office. Remember this not The VAB must issue all final decisions within 20 calendar
a bill, but rather an estimate days of the last day it was in session. You may file a lawsuit
of your taxes based on the in circuit court if you do not agree with the VAB’s decision.
proposed tax rates, your property value and exemptions. For more information about the VAB in Palm Beach
At this stage in the tax roll process, my office is onto the County, visit their website at www.mypalmbeachclerk.com/
petition filing period. vab.aspx or call our office at (561) 355-3230.
On average, the number of petitions filed in Palm Beach
County is low. In 2018, there were 4,163 petitions (both real Important Reminder – Final
property and tangible accounts) filed with the VAB, this is
less than 1 percent of the total parcels in the county. 2019 Exemption Filing
After receiving the proposed notice, property owners have
the option to appeal their property’s assessment or denial Deadline Approaching (For
of portability before the county’s Value Adjustment Board Anyone Filing Late)
(VAB).
According to Florida law, the value petition filing period required provide you with a list and summary of evidence,
begins when the notices are mailed and ends 25 days later. which will be presented at the hearing. If a property owner missed the March 1 deadline to apply
This year’s deadline to file a petition is Sept. 13. The Hearing for an exemption, agriculture classification or homestead
My office is responsible for assessing more than 630,000 At the VAB hearing, you may represent yourself or seek portability, a late filed application may be filed in person with
parcels and nearly 60,000 tangible personal property assistance from a professional, some examples might be a petition to the Value Adjustment Board. Late applications
accounts in Palm Beach County. We work very hard to an attorney, a licensed real estate appraiser or broker, or a and petitions must be filed on or before Sept. 13. Please
produce a fair and equitable tax roll. certified public accountant. visit one of our five service centers to file an application.
We will be working on the final certification of values If someone who is not a licensed professional represents
for the taxing authorities and the tax collector’s office…stay you, you must sign the petition or provide written Office Closed Due To
tuned. authorization or power of attorney for your representative.
This month’s article examines the VAB process. I hope During the hearing, a special magistrate, usually a Upcoming Holiday
you will find this information helpful. licensed appraiser or attorney, will ask you to present
Respectfully, your evidence and testimony in support of your petition. A The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office
Dorothy Jacks, CFA, AAS, representative from our office will then present evidence in (including all of our Service Centers) will be closed in
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser support of the property valuation, denied exemption, etc., observance of Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 2. We will reopen
depending on the issue. You will have another opportunity on Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 8:30 a.m.
The Value Adjustment Board to comment before the end of the hearing.
Process

Property owners who disagree with the property assessment
listed on their Notice of Proposed Property Taxes have two
options – contact the property appraiser’s office for an informal
review of the matter or file a petition for adjustment with the
Value Adjustment Board (VAB), or both.
The VAB is administered by the clerk and comptroller’s Changing the way we
date at a time.
office, which is independent of the property appraiser’s
office. The Board is made up of five individuals: two
from the county’s board of commissioners, one from the
county’s school board, and two citizen members. They
approve and use special magistrates experienced in property
appraisal techniques or legal matters who conduct hearings
and recommend decisions to the VAB for final approval.
Special magistrates will review property valuation, denials
of portability, deferrals, and change of ownership or control
determinations. All final rulings are determined by the VAB.
Prior To Filing A Petition
Our office encourages property owners to contact us to
request a conference regarding their concerns prior to filing
a petition. In preparation for this discussion, records on your
property are available on our website at www.pbcgov.org/PAPA. IIIIII
You can call us at (561) 355-3230 or visit us at any of our service Kelly Leary, M.S.
IIIIII
centers to begin the process. UPSCALE SINGLE?
If the matter cannot be resolved, you can file a petition with
the VAB. End the Online Dating Madness and
Filing A Petition Upgrade Your Odds with Help from The Pros
Florida law sets the deadlines for filing a petition on or before .
the 25th day following the mailing of the notice from our office. . One-on-One Matchmaking
This year’s deadline is Sept. 13. These deadlines do not . NOT Online Dating
change, even if you choose to discuss the issue with our . Single Parties (Optional)
office. The VAB may charge up to $15 for filing a petition. of . 25 28 YEARSof
MATCHMAKING
Petition forms (with instructions) are available on our . 90% Success Rate est. 1991
website or you may visit Palm Beach County’s VAB website . All Clients Pre-Screened

for online petition filing. Representing Ages 21-80+
Once a petition is filed, you will receive a notice with the Call Today to Join “Simply The Best”
date, time, and location of your hearing at least 25 days before Dating Club for 28 Years. Kelly Leary, M.S.
your hearing date. You can reschedule your hearing once for THE Florida Matchmaker
good cause. If your hearing is rescheduled, the clerk will send
notice at least 15 days before the rescheduled hearing. CALL TO SPEAK TO A LIVE MATCHMAKER NOW!
Fifteen days prior to the scheduled petition hearing, you 561.630.XOXO (9696)
are required to provide our office with a list and summary
of evidence that you will present at the hearing. You can *Schedule Your Appointment Today. Chance of Booking Solid: HIGH.
submit your evidence electronically on the clerk’s website
at https://www.mypalmbeachclerk.com/public-funds/value- REVOLUTIONDATING.COM
adjustment-board-vab.
Seven days before the VAB hearing, our office is