Broward
Activists for Tax Equity
Recent
Updates
The Florida
legislature has proposed an amendment
to the Florida State Constitution to limit the taxable assessment of
nonhomestead properties to 5% and to provide an additional exemption for
homestead buyers. The 5% ; limitation does not apply to the portion of the property
tax from the school levy, however. It appears as though there will be two
assessments for non-homesteaded properties: a 5-percent-limited assessment
increase used for non-school-related tax purposes, and a just-value assessment used
for school tax levies. Furthermore, the assessment can, if the legislature so
chooses, jump to just value if certain improvements are made to the property or
if ownership changes.
The amendment would also give additional exemptions to new
homesteaders, phased out over five years. These
exemptions would be helpful if you want to sell your home to a prospective
homesteader, but not if you are not homesteaded and plan to remain in your
home.
The class-action
lawsuits to overturn the Save Our Homes Amendment continue to work their
way through the legal process.
The Lanning case was denied by the appeals court, and the FL
Supreme court has been petitioned for a review. If review is denied, the case
will proceed directly to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Bruner and Delusio cases were heard
jointly by the Appeals Court.
The lawyers are waiting for a ruling and will be looking for amicus curiae briefs
if any case proceeds to the U.S. Supreme Court
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Updates prior to November 23, 2008
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