Page 13 - Talk of Tequesta - October '20

The Talk Of Tequesta, Page 13

loCal govErnmEnt

Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office

Taxpayers: I hope you will find this information helpful. Amendment 6 - Ad Valorem Tax Discount For Spouses
Welcome fall! We Value What You Value. Of Certain Deceased Veterans Who Had Permanent,
As a reminder, my office Respectfully, Combat-Related Disabilities
continues to implement Dorothy Jacks, CFA, AAS, Language: Provides that the homestead property tax
measures to ensure the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser discount for certain veterans with permanent combat-related
health and safety of our disabilities carries over to such veteran’s surviving spouse
staff, while also maintaining Upcoming General Election – who holds legal or beneficial title to, and who permanently
the highest level of safe resides on, the homestead property, until he or she remarries
service to the taxpayers of Tuesday, Nov. 3 or sells or otherwise disposes of the property. The discount
Palm Beach County during may be transferred to a new homestead property of the
the COVID-19 pandemic. Below is a summary of Amendments 5 and 6, which will surviving spouse under certain conditions. The amendment
Our office is open to be on the ballot for the general election, held on Tuesday, takes effect Jan. 1, 2021.
the public, however, we encourage you to contact us Nov. 3. If passed, Amendment 6 would transfer a deceased
via phone: (561) 355-3230, email: PAO@pbcgov.org or Amendment 5 – Limitation On Homestead Assessments veteran’s combat related property tax discount to their
utilize our online services at our website: www.pbcgov. Language: Proposing an amendment to the State surviving spouse. The discount would remain in effect until
org/PAPA. Constitution, effective date Jan. 1, 2021, to increase, from the spouse remarries, dies or sells or disposes of the property.
The end of the 2020 tax year is fast approaching and two years to three years, the period of time during which As always, the Property Appraiser’s position is to adhere
October is a busy month in my office as we certify the ad accrued “Save Our Homes” benefits may be transferred from to the law concerning the outcome of any constitutional
valorem tax roll to the Palm Beach County Tax Collector’s a prior homestead to a new homestead. amendment. If Amendments 5 and 6 receive approval from
Office. The tax collector will mail the 2020 tax bills on The “Save Our Homes” (SOH) benefit caps taxable the voters, we will make any necessary changes to our
Nov. 1. assessment increases on homesteaded property at 3 percent processes to comply with the new laws.
Also during this time, petition hearings will begin a year, and it allows sellers to take or “port” their current If you have any questions regarding Amendments 5 and
led by the Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller’s savings with them when buying a new Florida property, 6, please call our office (Exemption Services Department)
Value Adjustment Board (VAB) for property owners who providing they do so within the designated time frame and at (561) 355-2866.
filed a petition because they disagree with their property meet other requirements.
assessment or denied exemption. On average, the number Under the “portability” component of the homestead Office Closed Due To Holiday
of petitions filed in Palm Beach County is low, typically exemption, a homeowner can transfer up to $500,000 of the
less than 1 percent of the total parcels in the county. For accrued benefit from their former primary residence to their The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office
questions about petition hearings, go to the VAB website: new home. To transfer the SOH benefit, homeowners had (including all of our service centers) will be closed on
https://www.mypalmbeachclerk.com/publicfunds/value- to claim that exemption within two years – the law sets the Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 12. We will resume normal
adjustment-board-vab. timeline based on the tax roll year. business hours on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 8:30 a.m.
This year, the general election will be held on Nov. 3 Amendment 5 would extend the time frame from two tax
and there will be six proposed amendments on the ballot. years to three tax years for property owners to transfer or
To be added to the state constitution, voters must approve “port” all or part of their homestead assessment difference
each amendment with a majority of 60 percent of the vote. to a new homestead anywhere in Florida.
This month’s newsletter will provide explanations for For Palm Beach County, Amendment 5 applies to 330,000
Amendments 5 and 6, which affect Florida property taxes. current property owners with homestead exemptions.