The Florida Senate

197.263  Change in ownership or use of property.--

(1)  In the event that there is a change in use of tax-deferred property such that the owner is no longer entitled to claim homestead exemption for such property pursuant to s. 196.031(1), or such person fails to maintain the required fire and extended insurance coverage, the total amount of deferred taxes and interest for all previous years shall be due and payable November 1 of the year in which the change in use occurs or on the date failure to maintain insurance occurs and shall be delinquent on April 1 of the year following the year in which the change in use or failure to maintain insurance occurs.

(2)  In the event that there is a change in ownership of tax-deferred property, the total amount of deferred taxes and interest for all previous years shall be due and payable on the date the change in ownership takes place and shall be delinquent on April 1 following said date. When, however, the change in ownership is to a surviving spouse and such spouse is eligible to claim homestead exemption on such property pursuant to s. 196.031(1), such surviving spouse may continue the deferment of previously deferred taxes and interest pursuant to the provisions of this act.

(3)  Whenever the property appraiser discovers that there has been a change in the ownership or use of property which has been granted a tax deferral, the property appraiser shall notify the tax collector in writing of the date such change occurs, and the tax collector shall collect any taxes and interest due or delinquent.

(4)  During any year in which the total amount of deferred taxes, interest, and all other unsatisfied liens on the homestead exceeds 85 percent of the assessed value of the homestead, the tax collector shall immediately notify the owner of the property on which taxes and interest have been deferred that the portion of taxes and interest which exceeds 85 percent of the assessed value of the homestead shall be due and payable within 30 days of receipt of the notice. Failure to pay the amount due shall cause the total amount of deferred taxes and interest to become delinquent.

(5)  Each year, upon notification, each owner of property on which taxes and interest have been deferred shall submit to the tax collector a list of, and the current value of, all outstanding liens on the owner's homestead. Failure to respond to this notification within 30 days shall cause the total amount of deferred taxes and interest to become payable within 30 days.

(6)  In the event deferred taxes become delinquent under this chapter, then on or before June 1 following the date the taxes become delinquent, the tax collector shall sell a tax certificate for the delinquent taxes and interest in the manner provided by s. 197.432.

History.--s. 7, ch. 77-301; s. 5, ch. 78-161; s. 149, ch. 85-342; s. 5, ch. 92-312; s. 1009, ch. 95-147.

Note.--Former s. 197.0169.