1 | A bill to be entitled |
2 | An act relating to ad valorem taxation; amending s. |
3 | 194.301, F.S.; specifying circumstances under which the |
4 | presumption concerning the correctness of an ad valorem |
5 | tax assessment is lost; providing for the rate of |
6 | percentage change of a category of property comprised of |
7 | comparable property; requiring the property appraiser to |
8 | make available on a website or upon request the percentage |
9 | change for each category; specifying the categories of |
10 | property; providing for the amendments to s. 194.301, |
11 | F.S., to apply to assessments made on or after a specified |
12 | date; amending s. 193.017, F.S.; deleting provisions |
13 | providing for the assessment of property receiving the |
14 | low-income housing tax credit; providing for the |
15 | assessment of structural improvements on land owned by a |
16 | community land trust and used to provide affordable |
17 | housing; defining the term "community land trust"; |
18 | providing for the conveyance of structural improvements, |
19 | subject to certain conditions; specifying the criteria to |
20 | be used in arriving at just valuation of a structural |
21 | improvement; amending s. 196.1978, F.S., relating to the |
22 | affordable housing property exemption; conforming |
23 | provisions to changes made by the act; authorizing the |
24 | Department of Revenue to adopt emergency rules; providing |
25 | for application and renewal thereof; amending s. 196.002, |
26 | F.S.; revising certain reporting requirements for the |
27 | property appraiser in order to conform to changes made by |
28 | the act; amending s. 193.114, F.S.; requiring separate |
29 | listing of school district levies and all other levies on |
30 | assessment rolls; amending s. 193.155, F.S.; providing for |
31 | the assessment of homestead property following a change in |
32 | ownership based on the just value of the prior homestead; |
33 | providing for determining the just value of the new |
34 | homestead; providing for assessing a homestead established |
35 | by two or more persons who held prior homestead property; |
36 | providing requirements for applying for such an |
37 | assessment; requiring that the Department of Revenue |
38 | provide by rule for documenting entitlement to the |
39 | assessment; amending s. 196.031, F.S.; increasing the |
40 | amount of the exemption provided for homestead property; |
41 | providing for an additional exemption for levies other |
42 | than school district levies; deleting obsolete provisions; |
43 | deleting a requirement that property appraisers compile |
44 | information concerning the loss of certain tax revenues |
45 | and submit a copy to the Department of Revenue; creating |
46 | s. 196.078, F.S.; providing for an additional homestead |
47 | exemption for first-time Florida homebuyers; providing a |
48 | definition; providing for the amount of the additional |
49 | exemption; requiring that a person claiming such exemption |
50 | submit a sworn statement attesting that he or she has |
51 | never owned property that received the homestead exemption |
52 | in this state; providing requirements for forms; providing |
53 | penalties for falsely claiming the exemption; creating s. |
54 | 196.098, F.S.; providing a tax exemption for low-income |
55 | seniors; providing for eligibility and a limitation on |
56 | income; providing for an annual adjustment in the income |
57 | limitations; requiring the department to provide for |
58 | verifying age and income by rule; amending s. 196.161, |
59 | F.S.; revising an application reference relating to liens |
60 | on property of nonresident persons claiming homestead |
61 | exemption; amending s. 197.252, F.S., relating to the |
62 | homestead tax deferral; conforming provisions to changes |
63 | made by the act; creating s. 196.183, F.S.; exempting each |
64 | tangible personal property tax return from a specified |
65 | amount of assessed value; limiting a single business |
66 | operation within a county to one exemption; providing a |
67 | procedure for waiving the requirement to file an annual |
68 | tangible personal property tax return if the taxpayer is |
69 | entitled to the exemption; providing penalties for failure |
70 | to file a return as required or to claim more exemptions |
71 | than allowed; providing that the exemption does not apply |
72 | to certain mobile homes; creating s. 193.803, F.S.; |
73 | providing for the assessment of rental property used for |
74 | workforce housing or affordable housing; authorizing a |
75 | property owner to appeal a denial of eligibility to the |
76 | value adjustment board; requiring that a property owner |
77 | file an application for such classification with the |
78 | property appraiser or file a petition with the value |
79 | adjustment board; providing a fee for filing a petition; |
80 | providing for reapplication to be made on a short form |
81 | provided by the Department of Revenue; defining the term |
82 | "extenuating circumstances" for purposes of granting a |
83 | classification for January 1, 2008; specifying the types |
84 | of property that are eligible to be classified as |
85 | workforce rental housing or affordable rental housing; |
86 | providing for the assessment of property receiving the |
87 | low-income housing tax credit; requiring that property be |
88 | removed from such classification if its use or program |
89 | eligibility changes; providing the methodologies for |
90 | assessing workforce rental housing and affordable rental |
91 | housing; requiring that the property owner annually |
92 | provide a rent roll and income and expense statement to |
93 | the property appraiser for the preceding year; authorizing |
94 | the property appraiser to base the assessment on the best |
95 | available information if the property owner fails to |
96 | provide the rent roll and statement; providing for a tax |
97 | lien to be filed against property that is misclassified as |
98 | workforce rental housing or affordable rental housing |
99 | within a specified period; amending ss. 192.0105, 193.052, |
100 | 194.011, 195.073, and 195.096, F.S., relating to taxpayer |
101 | rights, the preparation and serving of returns, |
102 | assessments involving agricultural lands, assessment |
103 | notices and objections, the classification of property, |
104 | and the review of assessment rolls; conforming provisions |
105 | to changes made by the act; creating s. 200.186, F.S.; |
106 | specifying a formula for counties, municipalities, |
107 | municipal service taxing units, dependent districts, and |
108 | independent districts to determine a maximum millage rate |
109 | for the 2008-2009 fiscal year; providing that a taxing |
110 | authority in violation of such provision forfeits its |
111 | local government half-cent sales tax revenues; providing |
112 | certain exceptions to the limitations on millage rates; |
113 | providing an exception for calculating the rolled-back |
114 | rate for certain counties; providing that certain units of |
115 | government are recognized as municipalities; requiring the |
116 | Department of Revenue to report to the Legislature the |
117 | results of implementing ch. 2007-321, Laws of Florida, |
118 | relating to ad valorem taxation; requiring that the |
119 | department report those governments that are not in |
120 | compliance with requirements limiting certain millage |
121 | rates; providing legislative intent with respect to the |
122 | information reported to the department; requiring the |
123 | department to report certain recommendations of the |
124 | Revenue Estimating Conference and identify needed |
125 | additional resources; requiring the Legislature to |
126 | increase the state sales tax by 1 percent and appropriate |
127 | increased revenues as credit against required local |
128 | effort; providing that certain provisions of the act apply |
129 | retroactively; providing effective dates, one of which is |
130 | contingent. |
131 |
|
132 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
133 |
|
134 | Section 1. Section 194.301, Florida Statutes, is amended |
135 | to read: |
136 | 194.301 Presumption of correctness.-- |
137 | (1) In any administrative or judicial action in which a |
138 | taxpayer challenges an ad valorem tax assessment of value, the |
139 | property appraiser's assessment shall be presumed correct. This |
140 | presumption of correctness is lost if the taxpayer shows by a |
141 | preponderance of the evidence that either the property appraiser |
142 | has failed to consider properly the criteria in s. 193.011 or if |
143 | the property appraiser's assessment is arbitrarily based on |
144 | appraisal practices that which are different from the appraisal |
145 | practices generally applied by the property appraiser to |
146 | comparable property within the same class and within the same |
147 | county. In addition, except for homestead property, the |
148 | presumption of correctness is lost if the percentage change, |
149 | exclusive of new construction, in just value of the challenged |
150 | parcel is greater than the percentage change for the category of |
151 | property in which the challenged parcel is included. If the |
152 | presumption of correctness is lost, the taxpayer has shall have |
153 | the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that |
154 | the appraiser's assessment is in excess of just value. If the |
155 | presumption of correctness is retained, the taxpayer has shall |
156 | have the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that |
157 | the appraiser's assessment is in excess of just value. In no |
158 | case shall the taxpayer have the burden of proving that the |
159 | property appraiser's assessment is not supported by any |
160 | reasonable hypothesis of a legal assessment. If the property |
161 | appraiser's assessment is determined to be erroneous, the Value |
162 | Adjustment Board or the court can establish the assessment if |
163 | there exists competent, substantial evidence in the record, |
164 | which cumulatively meets the requirements of s. 193.011. If the |
165 | record lacks competent, substantial evidence meeting the just |
166 | value criteria of s. 193.011, the matter shall be remanded to |
167 | the property appraiser with appropriate directions from the |
168 | Value Adjustment Board or the court. This section does not |
169 | authorize any value adjustment board or court to establish the |
170 | value of property except in accordance with the State |
171 | Constitution. |
172 | (2) The percentage change for a category of property shall |
173 | be based on the percentage change in just value from the prior |
174 | year to the current year of all parcels within that category in |
175 | both years, exclusive of new construction, calculated for each |
176 | tax roll by the property appraiser as of the date on which the |
177 | current year's proposed tax notices were mailed. The property |
178 | appraiser shall make available on the property appraiser's |
179 | Internet website or upon request the percentage change for each |
180 | category as soon as practicable, but no later than 10 days after |
181 | such mailing. |
182 | (3) For purposes of this section, categories of property |
183 | include: |
184 | (a) Nonhomestead single-family residences. |
185 | (b) Nonhomestead condominiums and cooperatives. |
186 | (c) Nonhomestead mobile homes. |
187 | (d) Multifamily and retirement homes. |
188 | (e) Agricultural, high-water recharge, historic property |
189 | used for commercial or certain nonprofit purposes, and other |
190 | use-valued property. |
191 | (f) Vacant residential lots. |
192 | (g) Nonagricultural acreage and other undeveloped parcels. |
193 | (h) Improved commercial and industrial property. |
194 | (i) Unimproved commercial and industrial property. |
195 | (j) Taxable institutional or governmental, utility, |
196 | locally assessed railroad, oil, gas, and mineral land, |
197 | subsurface rights, and other real property. |
198 | Section 2. The amendments made by this act to s. 194.301, |
199 | Florida Statutes, apply only to assessments made on or after |
200 | January 1, 2008. |
201 | Section 3. Section 193.017, Florida Statutes, is amended |
202 | to read: |
203 | (Substantial rewording of section. See |
204 | s. 193.017, F.S., for present text.) |
205 | 193.017 Assessment of structural improvements on land |
206 | owned by a community land trust and used to provide affordable |
207 | housing.-- |
208 | (1) As used in this section, the term "community land |
209 | trust" means a nonprofit entity that is qualified as charitable |
210 | under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and has as one |
211 | of its purposes the acquisition of land to be held in perpetuity |
212 | for the primary purpose of providing affordable homeownership. |
213 | (2) A community land trust may convey structural |
214 | improvements located on specific parcels of such land that are |
215 | identified by a legal description contained in and subject to a |
216 | ground lease having a term of at least 99 years to natural |
217 | persons or families who meet the extremely-low, very-low, low, |
218 | and moderate income limits, as specified in s. 420.0004, or the |
219 | income limits for workforce housing, as defined in s. |
220 | 420.5095(3). A community land trust shall retain a preemptive |
221 | option to purchase any structural improvements on the land at a |
222 | price determined by a formula specified in the ground lease, |
223 | which is designed to ensure that the structural improvements |
224 | remain affordable. |
225 | (3) In arriving at just valuation under s. 193.011, a |
226 | structural improvement that provides affordable housing on land |
227 | owned by a community land trust and subject to a 99-year or |
228 | longer ground lease shall be assessed using the following |
229 | criteria: |
230 | (a) The amount a willing purchaser would pay a willing |
231 | seller shall not exceed the amount determined by the formula in |
232 | the ground lease. |
233 | (b) If the ground lease and all amendments and supplements |
234 | thereto, or a memorandum documenting how such lease and |
235 | amendments or supplements restrict the price at which the |
236 | improvements may be sold, is recorded in the official public |
237 | records of the county in which the leased land is located, the |
238 | recorded lease and any amendments and supplements, or the |
239 | recorded memorandum, shall be deemed a land use regulation |
240 | during the term of the lease as amended or supplemented. |
241 | Section 4. Section 196.1978, Florida Statutes, is amended |
242 | to read: |
243 | 196.1978 Affordable housing property exemption.--Property |
244 | used to provide affordable housing serving eligible persons as |
245 | defined by s. 159.603(7) and natural persons or families meeting |
246 | the extremely-low, very-low, low, or moderate persons meeting |
247 | income limits specified in s. 420.0004 s. 420.0004(8), (10), |
248 | (11), and (15), which property is owned entirely by a nonprofit |
249 | entity that which is a corporation not for profit, which is |
250 | qualified as charitable under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal |
251 | Revenue Code, and which complies with Rev. Proc. 96-32, 1996-1 |
252 | C.B. 717 or a limited partnership, the sole general partner of |
253 | which is a corporation not for profit, which is qualified as |
254 | charitable under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and |
255 | which complies with Rev. Proc. 96-32, 1996-1 C.B. 717, shall be |
256 | considered property owned by an exempt entity and used for a |
257 | charitable purpose, and those portions of the affordable housing |
258 | property which provide housing to natural persons or families |
259 | that meet the extremely-low, very-low, low, or moderate income |
260 | limits specified individuals with incomes as defined in s. |
261 | 420.0004 s. 420.0004(10) and (15) shall be exempt from ad |
262 | valorem taxation to the extent authorized in s. 196.196. All |
263 | property identified in this section shall comply with the |
264 | criteria for determination of exempt status to be applied by |
265 | property appraisers on an annual basis as defined in s. 196.195. |
266 | The Legislature intends that any property owned by a limited |
267 | liability company or a limited partnership that which is |
268 | disregarded as an entity for federal income tax purposes |
269 | pursuant to Treasury Regulation 301.7701-3(b)(1)(ii) shall be |
270 | treated as owned by its sole member or sole general partner. The |
271 | exemption provided in this section also extends to land that is |
272 | owned by an exempt entity and that is subject to a 99-year or |
273 | longer ground lease for the purpose of providing affordable |
274 | homeownership. |
275 | Section 5. (1) The executive director of the Department |
276 | of Revenue is authorized, and all conditions are deemed met, to |
277 | adopt emergency rules under ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54(4), |
278 | Florida Statutes, for the purpose of implementing sections 3 and |
279 | 4 of this act. |
280 | (2) In anticipation of implementing those portions of this |
281 | act which have not taken effect, the executive director of the |
282 | Department of Revenue is authorized, and all conditions are |
283 | deemed met, to adopt emergency rules under ss. 120.536(1) and |
284 | 120.54(4), Florida Statutes, for the purpose of making necessary |
285 | changes and preparations so that forms, methods, and data |
286 | records, electronic or otherwise, are ready and in place if |
287 | those portions of this act that have not taken effect become |
288 | law. |
289 | (3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, such |
290 | emergency rules shall remain in effect for 18 months after the |
291 | date of adoption and may be renewed during the pendency of |
292 | procedures to adopt rules addressing the subject of the |
293 | emergency rules. |
294 | Section 6. Section 196.002, Florida Statutes, is amended |
295 | to read: |
296 | 196.002 Legislative intent.--For the purposes of |
297 | assessment roll recordkeeping and reporting,: |
298 | (1) The increase in the homestead exemption provided in s. |
299 | 196.031(3)(d) shall be reported separately for those persons |
300 | entitled to exemption under s. 196.031(3)(a) or (b) and for |
301 | those persons entitled to exemption under s. 196.031(1) but not |
302 | under said paragraphs; and |
303 | (2) the exemptions authorized by each provision of this |
304 | chapter shall be reported separately for each category of |
305 | exemption in each such provision, both as to total value |
306 | exempted and as to the number of exemptions granted. |
307 | Section 7. Paragraphs (b), (c), (f), and (g) of subsection |
308 | (2) of section 193.114, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
309 | 193.114 Preparation of assessment rolls.-- |
310 | (2) The department shall promulgate regulations and forms |
311 | for the preparation of the real property assessment roll to |
312 | reflect: |
313 | (b) The just value (using the factors set out in s. |
314 | 193.011) of all property. The assessed value for school district |
315 | levies and for all other levies shall be separately listed. |
316 | (c) When property is wholly or partially exempt, a |
317 | categorization of such exemption. There shall be a separate |
318 | listing on the roll for exemptions pertaining to assessed value |
319 | for school district levies and for all other levies. |
320 | (f) The millage levied on the property, including school |
321 | district levies and all other levies, to be listed separately. |
322 | (g) There shall be a separate listing on the roll for |
323 | taxable value for school district levies and for all other |
324 | levies. The tax, determined by multiplying the millages by the |
325 | taxable values for school district levies and for all other |
326 | levies value. |
327 | Section 8. Section 193.155, Florida Statutes, is amended |
328 | to read: |
329 | 193.155 Homestead assessments.--Homestead property shall |
330 | be assessed at just value as of January 1, 1994. Property |
331 | receiving the homestead exemption after January 1, 1994, shall |
332 | be assessed at just value as of January 1 of the year in which |
333 | the property receives the exemption, unless the provisions of |
334 | subsection (8) apply. |
335 | (1) Beginning in 1995, or the year following the year the |
336 | property receives homestead exemption, whichever is later, the |
337 | property shall be reassessed annually on January 1. Any change |
338 | resulting from such reassessment shall not exceed the lower of |
339 | the following: |
340 | (a) Three percent of the assessed value of the property |
341 | for the prior year; or |
342 | (b) The percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for |
343 | All Urban Consumers, U.S. City Average, all items 1967=100, or |
344 | successor reports for the preceding calendar year as initially |
345 | reported by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of |
346 | Labor Statistics. |
347 | (2) If the assessed value of the property as calculated |
348 | under subsection (1) exceeds the just value, the assessed value |
349 | of the property shall be lowered to the just value of the |
350 | property. |
351 | (3) Except as provided in this subsection, property |
352 | assessed under this section shall be assessed at just value as |
353 | of January 1 of the year following a change of ownership. |
354 | Thereafter, the annual changes in the assessed value of the |
355 | property are subject to the limitations in subsections (1) and |
356 | (2). For the purpose of this section, a change in ownership |
357 | means any sale, foreclosure, or transfer of legal title or |
358 | beneficial title in equity to any person, except as provided in |
359 | this subsection. There is no change of ownership if: |
360 | (a) Subsequent to the change or transfer, the same person |
361 | is entitled to the homestead exemption as was previously |
362 | entitled and: |
363 | 1. The transfer of title is to correct an error; |
364 | 2. The transfer is between legal and equitable title; or |
365 | 3. The change or transfer is by means of an instrument in |
366 | which the owner is listed as both grantor and grantee of the |
367 | real property and one or more other individuals are additionally |
368 | named as grantee. However, if any individual who is additionally |
369 | named as a grantee applies for a homestead exemption on the |
370 | property, the application shall be considered a change of |
371 | ownership; |
372 | (b) The transfer is between husband and wife, including a |
373 | transfer to a surviving spouse or a transfer due to a |
374 | dissolution of marriage; |
375 | (c) The transfer occurs by operation of law under s. |
376 | 732.4015; or |
377 | (d) Upon the death of the owner, the transfer is between |
378 | the owner and another who is a permanent resident and is legally |
379 | or naturally dependent upon the owner. |
380 | (4)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), changes, |
381 | additions, or improvements to homestead property shall be |
382 | assessed at just value as of the first January 1 after the |
383 | changes, additions, or improvements are substantially completed. |
384 | (b) Changes, additions, or improvements that replace all |
385 | or a portion of homestead property damaged or destroyed by |
386 | misfortune or calamity shall not increase the homestead |
387 | property's assessed value when the square footage of the |
388 | homestead property as changed or improved does not exceed 110 |
389 | percent of the square footage of the homestead property before |
390 | the damage or destruction. Additionally, the homestead |
391 | property's assessed value shall not increase if the total square |
392 | footage of the homestead property as changed or improved does |
393 | not exceed 1,500 square feet. Changes, additions, or |
394 | improvements that do not cause the total to exceed 110 percent |
395 | of the total square footage of the homestead property before the |
396 | damage or destruction or that do not cause the total to exceed |
397 | 1,500 total square feet shall be reassessed as provided under |
398 | subsection (1). The homestead property's assessed value shall be |
399 | increased by the just value of that portion of the changed or |
400 | improved homestead property which is in excess of 110 percent of |
401 | the square footage of the homestead property before the damage |
402 | or destruction or of that portion exceeding 1,500 square feet. |
403 | Homestead property damaged or destroyed by misfortune or |
404 | calamity which, after being changed or improved, has a square |
405 | footage of less than 100 percent of the homestead property's |
406 | total square footage before the damage or destruction shall be |
407 | assessed pursuant to subsection (5). This paragraph applies to |
408 | changes, additions, or improvements commenced within 3 years |
409 | after the January 1 following the damage or destruction of the |
410 | homestead. |
411 | (c) Changes, additions, or improvements that replace all |
412 | or a portion of real property that was damaged or destroyed by |
413 | misfortune or calamity shall be assessed upon substantial |
414 | completion as if such damage or destruction had not occurred and |
415 | in accordance with paragraph (b) if the owner of such property: |
416 | 1. Was permanently residing on such property when the |
417 | damage or destruction occurred; |
418 | 2. Was not entitled to receive homestead exemption on such |
419 | property as of January 1 of that year; and |
420 | 3. Applies for and receives homestead exemption on such |
421 | property the following year. |
422 | (d) Changes, additions, or improvements include |
423 | improvements made to common areas or other improvements made to |
424 | property other than to the homestead property by the owner or by |
425 | an owner association, which improvements directly benefit the |
426 | homestead property. Such changes, additions, or improvements |
427 | shall be assessed at just value, and the just value shall be |
428 | apportioned among the parcels benefiting from the improvement. |
429 | (5) When property is destroyed or removed and not |
430 | replaced, the assessed value of the parcel shall be reduced by |
431 | the assessed value attributable to the destroyed or removed |
432 | property. |
433 | (6) Only property that receives a homestead exemption is |
434 | subject to this section. No portion of property that is assessed |
435 | solely on the basis of character or use pursuant to s. 193.461 |
436 | or s. 193.501, or assessed pursuant to s. 193.505, is subject to |
437 | this section. When property is assessed under s. 193.461, s. |
438 | 193.501, or s. 193.505 and contains a residence under the same |
439 | ownership, the portion of the property consisting of the |
440 | residence and curtilage must be assessed separately, pursuant to |
441 | s. 193.011, for the assessment to be subject to the limitation |
442 | in this section. |
443 | (7) If a person received a homestead exemption limited to |
444 | that person's proportionate interest in real property, the |
445 | provisions of this section apply only to that interest. |
446 | (8) For all levies other than school district levies, |
447 | property assessed under this section shall be assessed at less |
448 | than just value following a change in ownership when the person |
449 | who establishes a new homestead has received a homestead |
450 | exemption as of January 1 of either of the 2 immediately |
451 | preceding years. A person who establishes a new homestead as of |
452 | January 1, 2008, is entitled to have the new homestead assessed |
453 | at less than just value only if that person received a homestead |
454 | exemption on January 1, 2007. The assessed value of the newly |
455 | established homestead shall be determined as provided in this |
456 | subsection. |
457 | (a) If the just value of the new homestead as of January 1 |
458 | is greater than or equal to the just value of the immediate |
459 | prior homestead of the person establishing the new homestead as |
460 | of January 1 of the year in which the immediate prior homestead |
461 | was abandoned, the assessed value of the new homestead shall be |
462 | the just value of the new homestead minus an amount equal to the |
463 | lesser of $1 million or the difference between the just value |
464 | and the assessed value of the immediate prior homestead as of |
465 | January 1 of the year in which the immediate prior homestead was |
466 | abandoned. Thereafter, the homestead shall be assessed as |
467 | provided in this section. |
468 | (b) If the just value of the new homestead as of January 1 |
469 | is less than the just value of the immediate prior homestead as |
470 | of January 1 of the year in which the immediate prior homestead |
471 | was abandoned, the assessed value of the new homestead shall be |
472 | equal to the just value of the new homestead divided by the just |
473 | value of the immediate prior homestead and multiplied by the |
474 | assessed value of the immediate prior homestead. However, if the |
475 | difference between the just value of the new homestead and the |
476 | assessed value of the new homestead calculated pursuant to this |
477 | paragraph is greater than $1 million, the assessed value of the |
478 | new homestead shall be increased such that the difference |
479 | between the just value and the assessed value equals $1 million. |
480 | Thereafter, the homestead shall be assessed as provided in this |
481 | section. |
482 | (c) If two or more persons, who have each received a |
483 | homestead exemption as of January 1 of either of the 2 |
484 | immediately preceding years and who would otherwise be eligible |
485 | to have a new homestead property assessed under this subsection, |
486 | establish a single new homestead, the reduction in just value |
487 | shall be limited to the reduction that could have resulted from |
488 | any one of the potentially eligible prior homesteads. |
489 | (d) If two or more persons abandon their jointly owned |
490 | homestead property and one or more establish a new homestead |
491 | that would otherwise be eligible for assessment under this |
492 | subsection, each person shall be entitled to a reduction in just |
493 | value for the new homestead in proportion to their ownership |
494 | interest in the abandoned homestead property. There shall be no |
495 | reduction in assessed value of any new homestead unless the |
496 | prior homestead is reassessed under subsection (3) or this |
497 | subsection as of January 1 after the abandonment occurs. |
498 | (e) In order to have his or her homestead property |
499 | assessed under this subsection, a person must provide to the |
500 | property appraiser a copy of his or her notice of proposed |
501 | property taxes for an eligible prior homestead at the same time |
502 | he or she applies for the homestead exemption and must sign a |
503 | sworn statement, on a form prescribed by the department, |
504 | attesting to his or her entitlement to the assessment. |
505 | (f) The department shall require by rule that the required |
506 | documentation be submitted with the homestead exemption |
507 | application under the timeframes and processes set forth in |
508 | chapter 196 to the extent practicable, and that the filing of |
509 | the statement be supported by copies of such notices. |
510 | (9)(8) Erroneous assessments of homestead property |
511 | assessed under this section may be corrected in the following |
512 | manner: |
513 | (a) If errors are made in arriving at any assessment under |
514 | this section due to a material mistake of fact concerning an |
515 | essential characteristic of the property, the just value and |
516 | assessed value must be recalculated for every such year, |
517 | including the year in which the mistake occurred. |
518 | (b) If changes, additions, or improvements are not |
519 | assessed at just value as of the first January 1 after they were |
520 | substantially completed, the property appraiser shall determine |
521 | the just value for such changes, additions, or improvements for |
522 | the year they were substantially completed. Assessments for |
523 | subsequent years shall be corrected, applying this section if |
524 | applicable. |
525 | (c) If back taxes are due pursuant to s. 193.092, the |
526 | corrections made pursuant to this subsection shall be used to |
527 | calculate such back taxes. |
528 | (10)(9) If the property appraiser determines that for any |
529 | year or years within the prior 10 years a person who was not |
530 | entitled to the homestead property assessment limitation granted |
531 | under this section was granted the homestead property assessment |
532 | limitation, the property appraiser making such determination |
533 | shall record in the public records of the county a notice of tax |
534 | lien against any property owned by that person in the county, |
535 | and such property must be identified in the notice of tax lien. |
536 | Such property that is situated in this state is subject to the |
537 | unpaid taxes, plus a penalty of 50 percent of the unpaid taxes |
538 | for each year and 15 percent interest per annum. However, when a |
539 | person entitled to exemption pursuant to s. 196.031 |
540 | inadvertently receives the limitation pursuant to this section |
541 | following a change of ownership, the assessment of such property |
542 | must be corrected as provided in paragraph (9)(a) (8)(a), and |
543 | the person need not pay the unpaid taxes, penalties, or |
544 | interest. |
545 | Section 9. Section 196.031, Florida Statutes, is amended |
546 | to read: |
547 | 196.031 Exemption of homesteads.-- |
548 | (1)(a) Every person who, on January 1, has the legal title |
549 | or beneficial title in equity to real property in this state and |
550 | who resides thereon and in good faith makes the same his or her |
551 | permanent residence, or the permanent residence of another or |
552 | others legally or naturally dependent upon such person, is |
553 | entitled to an exemption from all taxation, except for |
554 | assessments for special benefits, up to the assessed valuation |
555 | of $25,000 $5,000 on the residence and contiguous real property, |
556 | as defined in s. 6, Art. VII of the State Constitution. Such |
557 | title may be held by the entireties, jointly, or in common with |
558 | others, and the exemption may be apportioned among such of the |
559 | owners as shall reside thereon, as their respective interests |
560 | shall appear. If only one of the owners of an estate held by the |
561 | entireties or held jointly with the right of survivorship |
562 | resides on the property, that owner is allowed an exemption of |
563 | up to the assessed valuation of $25,000 $5,000 on the residence |
564 | and contiguous real property. However, no such exemption of more |
565 | than $25,000 $5,000 is allowed to any one person or on any one |
566 | dwelling house, except that an exemption up to the assessed |
567 | valuation of $25,000 $5,000 may be allowed on each apartment or |
568 | mobile home occupied by a tenant-stockholder or member of a |
569 | cooperative corporation and on each condominium parcel occupied |
570 | by its owner. Except for owners of an estate held by the |
571 | entireties or held jointly with the right of survivorship, the |
572 | amount of the exemption may not exceed the proportionate |
573 | assessed valuation of all owners who reside on the property. |
574 | Before such exemption may be granted, the deed or instrument |
575 | shall be recorded in the official records of the county in which |
576 | the property is located. The property appraiser may request the |
577 | applicant to provide additional ownership documents to establish |
578 | title. |
579 | (b) Every person who qualifies to receive the exemption |
580 | provided in paragraph (a) is entitled to an additional exemption |
581 | of up to $25,000 on the assessed valuation greater than $50,000 |
582 | and up to $75,000 of assessed value for all levies other than |
583 | school district levies. |
584 | (2) As used in subsection (1), the term "cooperative |
585 | corporation" means a corporation, whether for profit or not for |
586 | profit, organized for the purpose of owning, maintaining, and |
587 | operating an apartment building or apartment buildings or a |
588 | mobile home park to be occupied by its stockholders or members; |
589 | and the term "tenant-stockholder or member" means an individual |
590 | who is entitled, solely by reason of his or her ownership of |
591 | stock or membership in a cooperative corporation, as evidenced |
592 | in the official records of the office of the clerk of the |
593 | circuit court of the county in which the apartment building is |
594 | located, to occupy for dwelling purposes an apartment in a |
595 | building owned by such corporation or to occupy for dwelling |
596 | purposes a mobile home which is on or a part of a cooperative |
597 | unit. A corporation leasing land for a term of 98 years or more |
598 | for the purpose of maintaining and operating a cooperative |
599 | thereon shall be deemed the owner for purposes of this |
600 | exemption. |
601 | (3)(a) The exemption provided in this section does For |
602 | every person who is entitled to the exemption provided in |
603 | subsection (1), who is a permanent resident of this state, and |
604 | who is 65 years of age or older, the exemption is increased to |
605 | $10,000 of assessed valuation for taxes levied by governing |
606 | bodies of counties, municipalities, and special districts. |
607 | (b) For every person who is entitled to the exemption |
608 | provided in subsection (1), who has been a permanent resident of |
609 | this state for the 5 consecutive years prior to claiming the |
610 | exemption under this subsection, and who qualifies for the |
611 | exemption granted pursuant to s. 196.202 as a totally and |
612 | permanently disabled person, the exemption is increased to |
613 | $9,500 of assessed valuation for taxes levied by governing |
614 | bodies of counties, municipalities, and special districts. |
615 | (c) No homestead shall be exempted under both paragraphs |
616 | (a) and (b). In no event shall the combined exemptions of s. |
617 | 196.202 and paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) exceed $10,000. |
618 | (d) For every person who is entitled to the exemption |
619 | provided in subsection (1) and who is a permanent resident of |
620 | this state, the exemption is increased to a total of $25,000 of |
621 | assessed valuation for taxes levied by governing bodies of |
622 | school districts. |
623 | (e) For every person who is entitled to the exemption |
624 | provided in subsection (1) and who is a resident of this state, |
625 | the exemption is increased to a total of $25,000 of assessed |
626 | valuation for levies of taxing authorities other than school |
627 | districts. However, the increase provided in this paragraph |
628 | shall not apply with respect to the assessment roll of a county |
629 | unless and until the roll of that county has been approved by |
630 | the executive director pursuant to s. 193.1142. |
631 | (4) The property appraisers of the various counties shall |
632 | each year compile a list of taxable property and its value |
633 | removed from the assessment rolls of each school district as a |
634 | result of the excess of exempt value above that amount allowed |
635 | for nonschool levies as provided in subsections (1) and (3), as |
636 | well as a statement of the loss of tax revenue to each school |
637 | district from levies other than the minimum financial effort |
638 | required pursuant to s. 1011.60(6), and shall deliver a copy |
639 | thereof to the Department of Revenue upon certification of the |
640 | assessment roll to the tax collector. |
641 | (4)(5) The exemption provided in this section applies only |
642 | to those parcels classified and assessed as owner-occupied |
643 | residential property or only to the portion of property so |
644 | classified and assessed. |
645 | (5)(6) A person who is receiving or claiming the benefit |
646 | of an ad valorem tax exemption or a tax credit in another state |
647 | where permanent residency is required as a basis for the |
648 | granting of that ad valorem tax exemption or tax credit is not |
649 | entitled to the homestead exemption provided by this section. |
650 | This subsection does not apply to a person who has the legal or |
651 | equitable title to real estate in Florida and maintains thereon |
652 | the permanent residence of another legally or naturally |
653 | dependent upon the owner. |
654 | (6)(7) When homestead property is damaged or destroyed by |
655 | misfortune or calamity and the property is uninhabitable on |
656 | January 1 after the damage or destruction occurs, the homestead |
657 | exemption may be granted if the property is otherwise qualified |
658 | and if the property owner notifies the property appraiser that |
659 | he or she intends to repair or rebuild the property and live in |
660 | the property as his or her primary residence after the property |
661 | is repaired or rebuilt and does not claim a homestead exemption |
662 | on any other property or otherwise violate this section. Failure |
663 | by the property owner to commence the repair or rebuilding of |
664 | the homestead property within 3 years after January 1 following |
665 | the property's damage or destruction constitutes abandonment of |
666 | the property as a homestead. |
667 | Section 10. Section 196.078, Florida Statutes, is created |
668 | to read: |
669 | 196.078 Additional homestead exemption for first-time |
670 | Florida homebuyers.-- |
671 | (1) As used in this section, the term "first-time Florida |
672 | homebuyer" means a person who establishes the right to receive |
673 | the homestead exemption provided in s. 196.031 within 1 year |
674 | after purchasing the homestead property and who had not |
675 | previously owned property receiving the homestead exemption |
676 | provided in s. 196.031. |
677 | (2) Every first-time Florida homebuyer is entitled to an |
678 | additional homestead exemption in an amount equal to 25 percent |
679 | of the homestead property's just value on January 1 of the year |
680 | in which the homestead exemption is established, not to exceed |
681 | 25 percent of the median value of homesteads in the county in |
682 | which the homestead is located in the year prior to establishing |
683 | the new homestead. This exemption is not available if any owner |
684 | of the property has previously owned property that has received |
685 | the homestead exemption provided in s. 196.031. The additional |
686 | homestead exemption shall be reduced each year by the difference |
687 | between the homestead's just value and assessed value as |
688 | determined under s. 193.155 until the value of the exemption is |
689 | reduced to zero. The exemption provided under this section shall |
690 | apply to all levies other than school district levies. |
691 | (3) The property appraiser shall require a first-time |
692 | Florida homebuyer claiming an exemption under this section to |
693 | submit, not later than March 1 on a form prescribed by the |
694 | Department of Revenue, a sworn statement attesting that the |
695 | taxpayer, and each other person who holds legal or equitable |
696 | title to the property, has never owned property that received |
697 | the homestead exemption provided by s. 196.031. In order for the |
698 | exemption to be retained, upon the addition of another person to |
699 | the title to the property, the person added must also submit, |
700 | not later than the subsequent March 1 on a form prescribed by |
701 | the department, a sworn statement attesting that he or she has |
702 | never held title to Florida homestead property. |
703 | (4) The provisions of ss. 196.031 and 196.161 shall apply |
704 | to the exemption provided in this section. |
705 | Section 11. Section 196.098, Florida Statutes, is created |
706 | to read: |
707 | 196.098 Exemption for low-income seniors.-- |
708 | (1) Any real estate used and owned as a homestead by an |
709 | eligible low-income senior is exempt from taxation as provided |
710 | by this section. |
711 | (2) As used in this section, the term "low-income senior" |
712 | means a permanent resident of this state who has attained 65 |
713 | years of age and whose household income does not exceed $23,604. |
714 | Submission of an affidavit that the person claiming the |
715 | exemption under subsection (1) is a permanent resident of this |
716 | state is prima facie proof of such residence. For purposes of |
717 | this section, the term "household income" means the gross income |
718 | of all persons residing in or upon the homestead for the prior |
719 | year. For purposes of this section, the term "gross income" |
720 | includes United States Department of Veterans Affairs benefits |
721 | and any social security benefits paid to the person. |
722 | (3) The maximum income limitation provided in this section |
723 | shall be adjusted annually on January 1, beginning January 1, |
724 | 2008, by the percentage change in the average cost-of-living |
725 | index in the period January 1 through December 31 of the |
726 | immediate prior year compared with the same period for the year |
727 | prior to that. The index is the average of the monthly consumer |
728 | price index figures for the stated 12-month period, relative to |
729 | the United States as a whole, issued by the United States |
730 | Department of Labor. |
731 | (4) The department shall require by rule that the taxpayer |
732 | annually submit to the property appraiser a sworn return of age |
733 | and gross income pursuant to subsection (2). The department |
734 | shall require that the filing of such statement be accompanied |
735 | by proof of age, copies of federal income tax returns for the |
736 | prior year, wage and earning statements (W-2 forms), and other |
737 | documents the department deems necessary for each member of the |
738 | household. The taxpayer's return shall attest to the accuracy of |
739 | such copies. The department shall prescribe and furnish a form |
740 | to be used for this purpose, which shall include spaces for a |
741 | separate listing of United States Department of Veterans Affairs |
742 | benefits and social security benefits. |
743 | Section 12. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section |
744 | 196.161, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
745 | 196.161 Homestead exemptions; lien imposed on property of |
746 | person claiming exemption although not a permanent resident.-- |
747 | (1)(a) When the estate of any person is being probated or |
748 | administered in another state under an allegation that such |
749 | person was a resident of that state and the estate of such |
750 | person contains real property situate in this state upon which |
751 | homestead exemption has been allowed pursuant to this chapter s. |
752 | 196.031 for any year or years within 10 years immediately prior |
753 | to the death of the deceased, then within 3 years after the |
754 | death of such person the property appraiser of the county where |
755 | the real property is located shall, upon knowledge of such fact, |
756 | record a notice of tax lien against the property among the |
757 | public records of that county, and the property shall be subject |
758 | to the payment of all taxes exempt thereunder, a penalty of 50 |
759 | percent of the unpaid taxes for each year, plus 15 percent |
760 | interest per year, unless the circuit court having jurisdiction |
761 | over the ancillary administration in this state determines that |
762 | the decedent was a permanent resident of this state during the |
763 | year or years an exemption was allowed, whereupon the lien shall |
764 | not be filed or, if filed, shall be canceled of record by the |
765 | property appraiser of the county where the real estate is |
766 | located. |
767 | Section 13. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section |
768 | 197.252, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
769 | 197.252 Homestead tax deferral.-- |
770 | (2) |
771 | (b) If the applicant is 65 years of age or older entitled |
772 | to claim the increased exemption by reason of age and residency |
773 | as provided in s. 196.031(3)(a), approval of the application |
774 | shall defer that portion of the ad valorem taxes plus non-ad |
775 | valorem assessments which exceeds 3 percent of the applicant's |
776 | household income for the prior calendar year. If any applicant's |
777 | household income for the prior calendar year is less than |
778 | $10,000, or is less than the amount of the household income |
779 | designated for the additional homestead exemption pursuant to s. |
780 | 196.075, and the applicant is 65 years of age or older, approval |
781 | of the application shall defer the ad valorem taxes plus non-ad |
782 | valorem assessments in their entirety. |
783 | Section 14. Section 196.183, Florida Statutes, is created |
784 | to read: |
785 | 196.183 Exemption for tangible personal property.-- |
786 | (1) Each tangible personal property tax return is eligible |
787 | for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of up to $25,000 of |
788 | assessed value. A single return must be filed for each site in |
789 | the county where the owner of tangible personal property |
790 | transacts business. Owners of freestanding property placed at |
791 | multiple sites, other than sites where the owner transacts |
792 | business, must file a single return, including all such property |
793 | located in the county. Freestanding property placed at multiple |
794 | sites includes vending and amusement machines, LP/propane tanks, |
795 | utility and cable company property, billboards, leased |
796 | equipment, and similar property that is not customarily located |
797 | in the offices, stores, or plants of the owner, but is placed |
798 | throughout the county. Railroads, private carriers, and other |
799 | companies assessed pursuant to s. 193.085 shall be allowed one |
800 | $25,000 exemption for each county to which the value of their |
801 | property is allocated. |
802 | (2) The requirement that an annual tangible personal |
803 | property tax return pursuant to s. 193.052 be filed for |
804 | taxpayers owning taxable property the value of which, as listed |
805 | on the return, does not exceed the exemption provided in this |
806 | section is waived. In order to qualify for this waiver, a |
807 | taxpayer must file an initial return on which the exemption is |
808 | taken. If, in subsequent years, the taxpayer owns taxable |
809 | property the value of which, as listed on the return, exceeds |
810 | the exemption, the taxpayer is obligated to file a return. The |
811 | taxpayer may again qualify for the waiver only after filing a |
812 | return on which the value as listed on the return does not |
813 | exceed the exemption. A return filed or required to be filed |
814 | shall be considered an application filed or required to be filed |
815 | for the exemption under this section. |
816 | (3) The exemption provided in this section does not apply |
817 | in any year a taxpayer fails to file a return that is not waived |
818 | pursuant to subsection (2). Any taxpayer who received a waiver |
819 | pursuant to subsection (2) and who owns taxable property the |
820 | value of which, as listed on the return, exceeds the exemption |
821 | in a subsequent year and who fails to file a return with the |
822 | property appraiser is subject to the penalty contained in s. |
823 | 193.072(1)(a) calculated without the benefit of the exemption |
824 | pursuant to this section. Any taxpayer claiming more exemptions |
825 | than allowed pursuant to subsection (1) is subject to the taxes |
826 | exempted as a result of wrongfully claiming the additional |
827 | exemptions plus 15 percent interest per annum and a penalty of |
828 | 50 percent of the taxes exempted. |
829 | (4) The exemption provided in this section does not apply |
830 | to a mobile home that is presumed to be tangible personal |
831 | property pursuant to s. 193.075(2). |
832 | Section 15. Section 193.803, Florida Statutes, is created |
833 | to read: |
834 | 193.803 Assessment of eligible rental property used for |
835 | workforce and affordable housing; classification.-- |
836 | (1) Upon the property owner's application on a form |
837 | prescribed by the Department of Revenue, the property appraiser |
838 | shall annually classify for assessment purposes, with respect to |
839 | all levies other than school district levies, all eligible |
840 | property used for workforce rental housing or affordable rental |
841 | housing. Eligibility shall be as provided in this section. |
842 | (2) A property owner whose eligible property is denied |
843 | classification as workforce rental housing or affordable rental |
844 | housing by the property appraiser may appeal to the value |
845 | adjustment board. The property appraiser shall notify the |
846 | property owner in writing of the denial of the workforce rental |
847 | housing or affordable rental housing classification on or before |
848 | July 1 of the year for which the application was filed. The |
849 | written notification must advise the property owner of his or |
850 | her right to appeal the denial of classification to the value |
851 | adjustment board and must contain the deadline for filing an |
852 | appeal. The property appraiser shall have available at his or |
853 | her office a list, by parcel and property owner, of all |
854 | applications for classification received, and the list must |
855 | identify whether or not the classification requested was |
856 | granted. |
857 | (3)(a) Eligible property may not be classified as |
858 | workforce rental housing or affordable rental housing unless an |
859 | application is filed on or before March 1 of each year. Before |
860 | approving a classification, the property appraiser may require |
861 | the property owner to furnish such information as may reasonably |
862 | be required to establish that the property was actually used as |
863 | required by this section. Failure by a property owner to apply |
864 | for classification of eligible property as workforce rental |
865 | housing or affordable rental housing by March 1 constitutes a 1- |
866 | year waiver of the privilege granted under this section for |
867 | workforce rental housing assessment or affordable rental housing |
868 | assessment. However, a property owner who is qualified to |
869 | receive a workforce rental housing classification or an |
870 | affordable rental housing classification but who fails to file |
871 | an application by March 1, may file an application for the |
872 | classification, and may file, under s. 194.011(3), a petition |
873 | with the value adjustment board requesting that the |
874 | classification be granted. The petition may be filed at any time |
875 | during the taxable year on or before the 25th day following the |
876 | mailing of the assessment notice by the property appraiser as |
877 | required under s. 194.011(1). Notwithstanding the provisions of |
878 | s. 194.013, the applicant must pay a nonrefundable fee of $15 |
879 | upon filing the petition. Upon review of the petition, if the |
880 | person is qualified to receive the classification and |
881 | demonstrates particular extenuating circumstances judged by the |
882 | property appraiser or the value adjustment board to warrant |
883 | granting the classification, the property appraiser or the value |
884 | adjustment board may grant the classification. An owner of |
885 | property classified as workforce rental housing or affordable |
886 | rental housing in the previous tax year whose ownership or use |
887 | has not changed may reapply on a short form prescribed by the |
888 | department. A county may, at the request of the property |
889 | appraiser and by a majority vote of its governing body, waive |
890 | the requirement that an annual application or statement be made |
891 | for the renewal of the classification of property within the |
892 | county as workforce rental housing or affordable rental housing |
893 | after an initial classification is granted by the property |
894 | appraiser. Such waiver may be revoked by a majority vote of the |
895 | governing body of the county. Notwithstanding such waiver, an |
896 | application must be refiled when any property granted the |
897 | classification is sold or otherwise disposed of, when the |
898 | ownership changes in any manner, when the applicant ceases to |
899 | use the property as workforce rental housing or affordable |
900 | rental housing, or when the status of the owner changes so as to |
901 | change the classified status of the property. |
902 | (b) For purposes of granting a workforce rental housing or |
903 | affordable rental housing classification for January 1, 2008, |
904 | only, the term "extenuating circumstances" as used in paragraph |
905 | (a) includes the failure of the property owner to return the |
906 | application for classification by March 1, 2008. |
907 | (4) The following types of property are eligible to be |
908 | classified by a property appraiser as workforce rental housing |
909 | or affordable rental housing property, and shall be assessed |
910 | based upon their character and use and as further described in |
911 | this section: |
912 | (a) Property that is funded and rent restricted by the |
913 | United States Department of Housing and Urban Development under |
914 | s. 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 and that provides |
915 | affordable housing for eligible persons as defined by s. 159.603 |
916 | or the elderly, extremely-low-income persons, or very-low-income |
917 | persons as specified in s. 420.0004. |
918 | (b) Rental property for multifamily housing, commercial |
919 | fishing workers and farmworkers, families, persons who are |
920 | homeless, or the elderly that is funded and rent restricted by |
921 | the Florida Housing Finance Corporation under s. 420.5087, s. |
922 | 420.5089, s. 420.509, or s. 420.5095, the State Housing |
923 | Initiatives Partnership Program under s. 420.9072, s. 420.9075, |
924 | or s. 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. s. 42; |
925 | the HOME Investment Partnership Program under the Cranston- |
926 | Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. ss. 12741 et |
927 | seq.; or the Federal Home Loan Bank's Affordable Housing Program |
928 | established pursuant to the Financial Institutions Reform, |
929 | Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989, Pub. L. No. 101-73. |
930 | (c) Multifamily residential rental property of 10 or more |
931 | units that is certified by the local public housing agency as |
932 | having 100 percent of its units used to provide affordable |
933 | housing for extremely-low-income persons, very-low-income |
934 | persons, low-income persons, or moderate-income persons as |
935 | specified in s. 420.0004 and that is subject to a land use |
936 | agreement or other agreement that is recorded in the official |
937 | records of the county in which the property is located and which |
938 | recorded agreement restricts the use of the property to |
939 | affordable housing for a period of at least 20 years. |
940 | (5) The property appraiser shall remove from the |
941 | classification of workforce rental housing or affordable rental |
942 | housing any properties for which the classified use has been |
943 | abandoned or discontinued, the property has been diverted to |
944 | another use, or the participation in and eligibility for the |
945 | programs specified in this section has been terminated. Such |
946 | removed property shall be assessed at just value under s. |
947 | 193.011. |
948 | (6) In years in which the proper application for |
949 | classification as workforce rental housing or affordable rental |
950 | housing has been made and granted, the assessment of such |
951 | property shall be based upon its use as workforce rental housing |
952 | or affordable rental housing and by applying the following |
953 | methodologies, subject to the provisions of subsection (7): |
954 | (a) Property used for workforce rental housing or |
955 | affordable rental housing as described in subsection (4) shall |
956 | be assessed under the income approach using the actual net |
957 | operating income. |
958 | (b) Property used for workforce rental housing and |
959 | affordable rental housing that has received low-income housing |
960 | tax credits from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation under |
961 | s. 420.5099 shall be assessed under the income approach using |
962 | the actual net operating income and the following applies: |
963 | 1. The tax credits granted and the financing generated by |
964 | the tax credits may not be considered as income. |
965 | 2. The actual rental income from rent-restricted units in |
966 | such property shall be used by the property appraiser. |
967 | 3. Any costs paid with the tax credits and costs paid with |
968 | the proceeds from additional financing under chapter 420 may not |
969 | be included as income. |
970 | (7) By April 1 of each year, the property owner must |
971 | provide the property appraiser with a return on a form and in a |
972 | manner prescribed by the Department of Revenue, which includes a |
973 | rent roll and an income and expense statement for the preceding |
974 | year. After a review of the rent roll and the income and expense |
975 | statement, the property appraiser may request additional |
976 | information from the property owner as may be reasonably |
977 | required to consider the methodologies in subsection (6). |
978 | Failure to timely provide the property appraiser with the |
979 | requested information, including failure to meet any extension |
980 | that may be granted for the submission of information, shall |
981 | result in an estimated assessment based on the best available |
982 | information instead of an assessment based on the methodologies |
983 | provided in subsection (6). Such assessment shall be deemed to |
984 | be prima facie correct and may be included on the tax roll, and |
985 | taxes may be extended on the tax roll in the same manner as for |
986 | all other taxes. |
987 | (8) It is the duty of the owner of any property used for |
988 | workforce rental housing or affordable rental housing that has |
989 | been granted the classification for assessment under this |
990 | section who is not required to file an annual application or |
991 | statement to notify the property appraiser promptly whenever the |
992 | use of the property, or the status or condition of the owner, |
993 | changes so as to change the classified status of the property. |
994 | If any property owner fails to so notify the property appraiser |
995 | and the property appraiser determines that for any year within |
996 | the prior 10 years the owner was not entitled to receive such |
997 | classification, the owner of the property is subject to the |
998 | taxes otherwise due and owing as a result of such failure plus |
999 | 15 percent interest per annum and a penalty of 50 percent of the |
1000 | additional taxes owed. It is the duty of the property appraiser |
1001 | making such determination to record in the public records of the |
1002 | county in which the rental property is located a notice of tax |
1003 | lien against any property owned by that person or entity in the |
1004 | county, and such property must be identified in the notice of |
1005 | tax lien. Such property is subject to the payment of all taxes |
1006 | and penalties. Such lien, when filed, attaches to any property |
1007 | identified in the notice of tax lien owned by the person or |
1008 | entity that illegally or improperly received the classification. |
1009 | If such person or entity no longer owns property in that county |
1010 | but owns property in another county or counties in the state, |
1011 | the property appraiser shall record in such other county or |
1012 | counties a notice of tax lien identifying the property owned by |
1013 | such person or entity in such county or counties, which becomes |
1014 | a lien against the identified property. |
1015 | Section 16. Paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (2) of |
1016 | section 192.0105, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
1017 | 192.0105 Taxpayer rights.--There is created a Florida |
1018 | Taxpayer's Bill of Rights for property taxes and assessments to |
1019 | guarantee that the rights, privacy, and property of the |
1020 | taxpayers of this state are adequately safeguarded and protected |
1021 | during tax levy, assessment, collection, and enforcement |
1022 | processes administered under the revenue laws of this state. The |
1023 | Taxpayer's Bill of Rights compiles, in one document, brief but |
1024 | comprehensive statements that summarize the rights and |
1025 | obligations of the property appraisers, tax collectors, clerks |
1026 | of the court, local governing boards, the Department of Revenue, |
1027 | and taxpayers. Additional rights afforded to payors of taxes and |
1028 | assessments imposed under the revenue laws of this state are |
1029 | provided in s. 213.015. The rights afforded taxpayers to assure |
1030 | that their privacy and property are safeguarded and protected |
1031 | during tax levy, assessment, and collection are available only |
1032 | insofar as they are implemented in other parts of the Florida |
1033 | Statutes or rules of the Department of Revenue. The rights so |
1034 | guaranteed to state taxpayers in the Florida Statutes and the |
1035 | departmental rules include: |
1036 | (2) THE RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS.-- |
1037 | (b) The right to petition the value adjustment board over |
1038 | objections to assessments, denial of exemption, denial of |
1039 | agricultural classification, denial of historic classification, |
1040 | denial of high-water recharge classification, denial of |
1041 | workforce rental housing or affordable rental housing |
1042 | classification, disapproval of tax deferral, and any penalties |
1043 | on deferred taxes imposed for incorrect information willfully |
1044 | filed. Payment of estimated taxes does not preclude the right of |
1045 | the taxpayer to challenge his or her assessment (see ss. |
1046 | 194.011(3), 196.011(6) and (9)(a), 196.151, 196.193(1)(c) and |
1047 | (5), 193.461(2), 193.503(7), 193.625(2), 193.803(2), 197.253(2), |
1048 | 197.301(2), and 197.2301(11)). |
1049 | (c) The right to file a petition for exemption, or |
1050 | agricultural classification, or workforce rental housing or |
1051 | affordable rental housing classification with the value |
1052 | adjustment board when an application deadline is missed, upon |
1053 | demonstration of particular extenuating circumstances for filing |
1054 | late (see ss. 193.461(3)(a), 193.803(3)(a), and 196.011(1), (7), |
1055 | (8), and (9)(d)). |
1056 | Section 17. Subsection (2) of section 193.052, Florida |
1057 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
1058 | 193.052 Preparation and serving of returns.-- |
1059 | (2) No return shall be required for real property the |
1060 | ownership of which is reflected in instruments recorded in the |
1061 | public records of the county in which the property is located, |
1062 | unless otherwise required in this title. In order for land to be |
1063 | considered for agricultural classification under s. 193.461, or |
1064 | high-water recharge classification under s. 193.625, or |
1065 | workforce rental housing or affordable rental housing |
1066 | classification under s. 193.803, an application for |
1067 | classification must be filed on or before March 1 of each year |
1068 | with the property appraiser of the county in which the land is |
1069 | located, except as provided in s. 193.461(3)(a). The application |
1070 | must state that the lands on January 1 of that year were used |
1071 | primarily for bona fide commercial agricultural or high-water |
1072 | recharge purposes or for workforce rental housing or affordable |
1073 | rental housing classified under s. 193.803. |
1074 | Section 18. Paragraph (d) of subsection (3) of section |
1075 | 194.011, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
1076 | 194.011 Assessment notice; objections to assessments.-- |
1077 | (3) A petition to the value adjustment board must be in |
1078 | substantially the form prescribed by the department. |
1079 | Notwithstanding s. 195.022, a county officer may not refuse to |
1080 | accept a form provided by the department for this purpose if the |
1081 | taxpayer chooses to use it. A petition to the value adjustment |
1082 | board shall describe the property by parcel number and shall be |
1083 | filed as follows: |
1084 | (d) The petition may be filed, as to valuation issues, at |
1085 | any time during the taxable year on or before the 25th day |
1086 | following the mailing of notice by the property appraiser as |
1087 | provided in subsection (1). With respect to an issue involving |
1088 | the denial of an exemption, an agricultural or high-water |
1089 | recharge classification application, an application for |
1090 | classification as historic property used for commercial or |
1091 | certain nonprofit purposes, an application for classification as |
1092 | workforce rental housing or affordable rental housing, or a |
1093 | deferral, the petition must be filed at any time during the |
1094 | taxable year on or before the 30th day following the mailing of |
1095 | the notice by the property appraiser under s. 193.461, s. |
1096 | 193.503, s. 193.625, s. 193.803, or s. 196.193 or notice by the |
1097 | tax collector under s. 197.253. |
1098 | Section 19. Subsection (1) of section 195.073, Florida |
1099 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
1100 | 195.073 Classification of property.--All items required by |
1101 | law to be on the assessment rolls must receive a classification |
1102 | based upon the use of the property. The department shall |
1103 | promulgate uniform definitions for all classifications. The |
1104 | department may designate other subclassifications of property. |
1105 | No assessment roll may be approved by the department which does |
1106 | not show proper classifications. |
1107 | (1) Real property must be classified according to the |
1108 | assessment basis of the land into the following classes: |
1109 | (a) Residential, subclassified into categories, one |
1110 | category for homestead property and one for nonhomestead |
1111 | property: |
1112 | 1. Single family. |
1113 | 2. Mobile homes. |
1114 | 3. Multifamily. |
1115 | 4. Condominiums. |
1116 | 5. Cooperatives. |
1117 | 6. Retirement homes. |
1118 | (b) Commercial and industrial. |
1119 | (c) Agricultural. |
1120 | (d) Nonagricultural acreage. |
1121 | (e) High-water recharge. |
1122 | (f) Historic property used for commercial or certain |
1123 | nonprofit purposes. |
1124 | (g) Exempt, wholly or partially. |
1125 | (h) Centrally assessed. |
1126 | (i) Leasehold interests. |
1127 | (j) Time-share property. |
1128 | (k) Workforce rental housing and affordable rental housing |
1129 | property. |
1130 | (l)(k) Other. |
1131 | Section 20. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section |
1132 | 195.096, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
1133 | 195.096 Review of assessment rolls.-- |
1134 | (3)(a) Upon completion of review pursuant to paragraph |
1135 | (2)(f), the department shall publish the results of reviews |
1136 | conducted under this section. The results must include all |
1137 | statistical and analytical measures computed under this section |
1138 | for the real property assessment roll as a whole, the personal |
1139 | property assessment roll as a whole, and independently for the |
1140 | following real property classes whenever the classes constituted |
1141 | 5 percent or more of the total assessed value of real property |
1142 | in a county on the previous tax roll: |
1143 | 1. Residential property that consists of one primary |
1144 | living unit, including, but not limited to, single-family |
1145 | residences, condominiums, cooperatives, and mobile homes. |
1146 | 2. Residential property that consists of two or more |
1147 | primary living units. |
1148 | 3. Agricultural, high-water recharge, historic property |
1149 | used for commercial or certain nonprofit purposes, workforce |
1150 | rental housing and affordable rental housing property, and other |
1151 | use-valued property. |
1152 | 4. Vacant lots. |
1153 | 5. Nonagricultural acreage and other undeveloped parcels. |
1154 | 6. Improved commercial and industrial property. |
1155 | 7. Taxable institutional or governmental, utility, locally |
1156 | assessed railroad, oil, gas and mineral land, subsurface rights, |
1157 | and other real property. |
1158 |
|
1159 | When one of the above classes constituted less than 5 percent of |
1160 | the total assessed value of all real property in a county on the |
1161 | previous assessment roll, the department may combine it with one |
1162 | or more other classes of real property for purposes of |
1163 | assessment ratio studies or use the weighted average of the |
1164 | other classes for purposes of calculating the level of |
1165 | assessment for all real property in a county. The department |
1166 | shall also publish such results for any subclassifications of |
1167 | the classes or assessment rolls it may have chosen to study. |
1168 | Section 21. Section 200.186, Florida Statutes, is created |
1169 | to read: |
1170 | 200.186 Maximum millage rates for the 2008-2009 fiscal |
1171 | year.-- |
1172 | (1) In the 2008-2009 fiscal year, a county, municipal |
1173 | service taxing units of that county, and special districts |
1174 | dependent to that county; a municipality and special districts |
1175 | dependent to that municipality; and an independent special |
1176 | district may levy a maximum millage rate that is determined as |
1177 | follows: |
1178 | (a) The maximum millage rate shall be the rolled-back rate |
1179 | calculated pursuant to s. 200.065 and adjusted for growth in per |
1180 | capita Florida personal income, except that: |
1181 | 1. Ad valorem tax revenue levied in the 2007-2008 fiscal |
1182 | year, as used in the calculation of the rolled-back rate, shall |
1183 | be reduced by any tax revenue resulting from a millage rate in |
1184 | excess of the maximum rate that could have been levied by a |
1185 | majority vote as provided in s. 200.185; and |
1186 | 2. The taxable value within the jurisdiction of each |
1187 | taxing authority, as used in the calculation of the rolled-back |
1188 | rate, shall be increased by the amount necessary to offset any |
1189 | reduction in taxable value occurring as a result of the |
1190 | amendments to the State Constitution contained in SJR 2-D or HJR |
1191 | 7001D revising the homestead tax exemption, providing tax relief |
1192 | for low-income seniors, providing an exemption for first-time |
1193 | homestead property owners, providing portability of the Save- |
1194 | Our-Homes differential, and providing an exemption from ad |
1195 | valorem taxation for tangible personal property. The maximum |
1196 | millage rate applicable to a county authorized to levy a county |
1197 | public hospital surtax under s. 212.055 shall exclude the |
1198 | revenues required to be contributed to the county public general |
1199 | hospital for the purposes of making the maximum millage rate |
1200 | calculation, but shall be added back to the maximum millage rate |
1201 | allowed after the roll back has been applied. |
1202 | (b) If approved by a two-thirds vote of the governing |
1203 | body, a rate may be levied in excess of the rate calculated |
1204 | pursuant to paragraph (a) if the excess is not more than 67 |
1205 | percent of the difference between the rolled-back rate |
1206 | calculated pursuant to s. 200.065, and the rate calculated in |
1207 | paragraph (a). |
1208 | (c) A rate may be levied in excess of the millage rate |
1209 | allowed in paragraph (b) if the rate is approved by a unanimous |
1210 | vote of the governing body or by a three-fourths vote if the |
1211 | governing body has nine or more members or if approved by a |
1212 | referendum of the voters. |
1213 | (2) Any county or municipality that is in violation of |
1214 | this section shall forfeit the distribution of the local |
1215 | government half-cent sales tax revenues during the 12 months |
1216 | following a determination of noncompliance by the Department of |
1217 | Revenue, subject to the conditions provided in ss. 200.065 and |
1218 | 218.63. |
1219 | (3) The millage rate of a county or municipality, |
1220 | municipal service taxing unit of that county, and any special |
1221 | district dependent to that county or municipality may exceed the |
1222 | maximum millage rate calculated pursuant to this section if the |
1223 | total county ad valorem taxes levied or total municipal ad |
1224 | valorem taxes levied, as defined in s. 200.001, do not exceed |
1225 | the maximum total county ad valorem taxes levied or maximum |
1226 | total municipal ad valorem taxes levied, as defined in s. |
1227 | 200.001, respectively. Total ad valorem taxes levied may exceed |
1228 | the maximum calculated pursuant to this section as a result of |
1229 | an increase in taxable value above that certified in s. |
1230 | 200.065(1) if such increase is less than the percentage amounts |
1231 | contained in s. 200.065(6); however, if such increase in taxable |
1232 | value exceeds the percentage amounts contained in s. 200.065(6), |
1233 | millage rates subject to this section must be reduced so that |
1234 | total taxes levied do not exceed the maximum. Any unit of |
1235 | government operating under a home rule charter adopted pursuant |
1236 | to ss. 10, 11, and 24, Art. VIII of the State Constitution of |
1237 | 1885, as preserved by s. 6(e), Art. VIII of the State |
1238 | Constitution of 1968, which is granted the authority in the |
1239 | State Constitution to exercise all the powers conferred now or |
1240 | hereafter by general law upon municipalities and which exercises |
1241 | such powers in the unincorporated area shall be recognized as a |
1242 | municipality under this section. |
1243 | (4) If the amendments to the State Constitution contained |
1244 | in SJR 2-D or HJR 7001D revising the homestead tax exemption and |
1245 | providing an exemption from ad valorem taxation for tangible |
1246 | personal property, are approved by a vote of the electors, this |
1247 | section shall supersede the provisions of s. 200.185(5). |
1248 | Section 22. The Department of Revenue shall report by |
1249 | March 1, 2008, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of |
1250 | the House of Representatives the results of the implementation |
1251 | of chapter 2007-321, Laws of Florida. The report must include |
1252 | the millage rates adopted by municipalities, counties, and |
1253 | independent special districts compared to prior year millage |
1254 | rates, rolled-back rates, and majority-vote rates as established |
1255 | by s. 200.185, Florida Statutes. The department shall report on |
1256 | those local governments that were not in compliance with the |
1257 | requirements of s. 200.185, Florida Statutes. The department |
1258 | shall provide the emergency rules adopted pursuant to s. 9 of |
1259 | chapter 2007-321, Laws of Florida. The department shall report |
1260 | on issues that arose in the implementation of chapter 2007-321, |
1261 | Laws of Florida, which may need to be addressed. It is the |
1262 | intent of the Legislature that the information reported to the |
1263 | department should be sufficient to allow the performance of the |
1264 | oversight functions outlined in chapters 195 and 200, Florida |
1265 | Statutes, for the local government budget and millage adoption |
1266 | process and the tax roll submittal and approval process. The |
1267 | department shall identify any improvements in the information |
1268 | required to be provided by local governments, property |
1269 | appraisers, and tax collectors. The department shall include in |
1270 | the report recommendations of the Revenue Estimating Conference |
1271 | for information from local governments, property appraisers, and |
1272 | tax collectors which would improve the ability to forecast |
1273 | revenues or estimate impacts of proposed changes to the property |
1274 | tax system. The department shall identify any additional |
1275 | resources necessary to efficiently and effectively administer |
1276 | the oversight functions outlined in chapters 195 and 200, |
1277 | Florida Statutes. |
1278 | Section 23. Notwithstanding any provision of general law, |
1279 | the Legislature shall increase the state tax on sales, use, and |
1280 | other transactions levied as provided in chapter 212, Florida |
1281 | Statutes, by 1 percent, provided that all revenues generated by |
1282 | the additional 1-percent increase in such tax shall be |
1283 | appropriated by the Legislature and credited on an annual basis |
1284 | against the amount required by the state to be levied by each |
1285 | school district on all real property for ad valorem taxes |
1286 | necessary to comply with required local effort provisions of |
1287 | general law. |
1288 | Section 24. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this |
1289 | act, this act shall take effect January 1, 2008, sections 6 |
1290 | through 21 of this act shall take effect only upon the effective |
1291 | date of amendments to the State Constitution contained in Senate |
1292 | Joint Resolution 2-D or House Joint Resolution 7001D revising |
1293 | the homestead tax exemption and providing an exemption from ad |
1294 | valorem taxation for tangible personal property and property |
1295 | used for workforce and affordable rental housing, and sections 6 |
1296 | through 21 of this act shall apply retroactively to the 2008 tax |
1297 | roll if the amendments to the State Constitution contained in |
1298 | Senate Joint Resolution 2-D or House Joint Resolution 7001D are |
1299 | approved in a special election held on January 29, 2008, or |
1300 | shall apply to the 2009 tax roll if the amendments to the State |
1301 | Constitution contained in Senate Joint Resolution 2-D or House |
1302 | Joint Resolution 7001D are approved in the general election held |
1303 | in November of 2008. |