Page 12 - The Islander - February '22

Page 12, The Islander

It’s the Law! LocaL Government

Did You Know Tax Talk

That, In Florida… Dear Friends,
Well, the new year has

By Adam S. Gumson, Esq. gotten off to a challenging
start here in the Tax
Collector’s Office as we
Whether or not probate are managing through the
will be necessary, Florida latest COVID-19 surge.
law requires that anyone Like many other offices and
who has possession of businesses, this latest surge
a will must file it with has resulted in numerous be provided to clients involved with the petition process.
the local Circuit Court staff being out in order to The Value Adjustment Board is an independent entity
where the decedent last rest and get healthy. My which includes elected officials and citizen members
resided within 10 days of staff is working diligently to process the influx of work who approve special magistrates to preside in a public
learning of the decedent’s we are receiving as a result of being in the middle of hearing format. Joseph Abruzzo, clerk of the Circuit
death. If a Probate Court tax season. Rest assured, that our focus is to process Court and Comptroller’s Office serves as the clerk of the
proceeding is necessary, the volumes of work as quickly as possible and that our VAB; processing all petitions, scheduling hearings and
the court will determine staff is safe and healthy. I, along with our entire team, maintaining all records.
the validity of the will. greatly appreciate your patience as we work through these Each August, Palm Beach County’s taxpayers are
Guardianship can provide certain protections for a challenges. notified of their property’s assessed and market value
special needs ward, but is not always the best option. It can Notwithstanding these challenges, I am thrilled by the Property Appraiser’s Office. At that time, the
be expensive, involve the court making decisions which are that in February, our new service center in the city of property owner can file a petition with the VAB if they
better left to the family, and sometimes results in designating Westlake, will open for business! This new state-of-the- feel the assessment, classification or exemption status
a guardian whom the parents might not have chosen. art, 23,735-square-foot service center will replace the for their property is incorrect. Regardless of the outcome
More than 13 million parents are separated or divorced in current facility in Royal Palm Beach and serve the western or pending status of the petition, the required portion of
households where children are under the age of 21 with the communities of our county. I look forward to welcoming the property taxes are due by April 1 to the tax collector
vast majority of custodial parents being the mother. Sadly, clients to this new location! to avoid penalties, as per Florida Statute 194.014. This
less than one-half of those awarded child support actually Sincerely, new resource sheet will assist clients who have had their
collect the full amount. Anne M. Gannon, VAB petition administratively granted during this time.
A contract may have different contingencies that allow Constitutional Tax Collector, An overview of the petition process is available on the
a buyer to cancel it, including financing or inspection Serving Palm Beach County clerk’s website at www.mypalmbeachclerk.com including
contingencies. So, if you are a seller, you should pay an online portal for filing.
particular attention to the deadlines associated with each Making An Appointment Is
contingency as it is possible that the deal is not as solid as Charitable Giving
originally contemplated. Easy As 1, 2, 3
Jupiter Law Center is a private neighborhood law In our December newsletter, we talked about the
firm located in the RiverPlace Professional Center, 1003 The tax collector offers many services such as driver’s generosity and giving spirit of our employees. This
W. Indiantown Road, Suite 210, Jupiter, Fla., (561) 744 license, motor vehicle, vessel, property tax, tourist holiday season, they “knocked our socks off” in a holiday
- 4600, jupiterlawcenter.com. The firm provides peace of development tax, business tax, and more. There is a good sock drive for one of our charity partners, Living Hungry.
mind by solving problems with integrity and compassion chance that at some point you will need to visit one of Employees were challenged to donate 1,000 pairs of socks
in the areas of estate planning (wills and trusts, powers our six service centers within the next year for one or to the local charity that partners with the school district
of attorney, health care surrogates, living wills, probate more of the services listed above. We want to make this to deliver supplies to those who need it most – homeless
estates, succession planning, contracts and purchase/ process as client friendly as possible by breaking it down students right here in the Palm Beach County community.
sale agreements), family law (divorce, paternity, child to three easy steps: Employees doubled that goal and donated 2,087
support and time sharing, alimony, property distribution, 1. Browse the types of service that we offer to pairs of socks! Socks are one of the most-requested
modifications, collaborative law, pre/post nuptial determine what appointment you need. items; one fresh pair of clean and new socks adds
agreements) and real estate (community association law, 2. Check our latest guidelines on how appointments dignity to an already challenging circumstance of being
residential and commercial transactions, deeds, closings). work to prepare for your visit to one of our locations. homeless while a full-time student. The majority of our
3. Make your appointment by selecting the service donation will go to elementary students. See more on
you need along with the location, date, and time. our community involvement at: https://www.pbctax.com/
Reminder: Our appointment system can only schedule about-us/community-involvement/.
appointments up to 60 days in advance. If no appointments
are available for the requested transaction, please
Captain’s was established in 1980 servicing continue to check back periodically for appointments
Palm Beach County and is a privately to become available. Are you ready to schedule your
owned and managed company. appointment? Visit www.pbctax.com/appointments to
Captain’s is committed to providing make your appointment!
dependable, reliable and professional
ground transportation to and from all
South Florida Airports and Seaports. PBCVH212
To reserve your vehicle:
561-798-2180 or 800-634-7890 www.captainsairport.com

Southern Exposure Technologies
Computer Install/Setup/Repair
(561) 315-0144
getsetgo.annie@gmail.com Important Dates And
* DSL, Broadband,Wireless Install Deadlines
* Networking, Troubleshooting
* Instruction
* Hardware/Software Installation New Resource Available For Feb. 1 Tourist Development
* Virus/Spyware/Adware Fix Tax (TDT) due
* Cleanup/Maintenance/Backup
* Business Consult/Startup/Move VAB Petitioners Feb. 21 Presidents’ Day
* Website Design/Maintenance observed – offices
Call S.E.T. to install your “new computer, printer The Tax Collector’s Office is committed to working closed
and wireless network”! with our partner agencies to best serve the residents of Feb. 28 Last day to receive 1
GET S.E.T. GO! Palm Beach County. We’ve teamed up with the office of percent discount on
REASONABLE HOURLY, WEEKLY, MONTHLY RATES Dorothy Jacks, property appraiser, on a fact sheet called your property tax
FOR SMALL BUSINESSES FOR AS LOW AS $50.00 AN HOUR, “What to Expect After Your Value Adjustment Board
WITH A MINIMUM OF 6 HOURS A MONTH, Local Government on page 13
OR 2 HOURS A WEEK, OR ON AN AS-NEEDED (VAB) Petition is Administratively Granted,” which will
BASIS RATE OF $75.00 P/HOUR.
START YOUR NEW YEAR WITH SECURE BACKUPS,
QUALITY MAINTENANCE, ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND
PERSONABLE ON-SITE SUPPORT! Happy Valentine’s Day
(561) 315-0144
CALL S.E.T. TODAY FOR YOUR COMPUTER NEEDS!