CS for SB 1588 First Engrossed

20081588e1

A bill to be entitled

An act relating to property taxation; amending s. 193.114,

F.S.; revising the requirements specifying the information

that must be included on the real property assessment roll

and on the tangible personal property roll; amending s.

193.1142, F.S.; authorizing the executive director of the

Department of Revenue to require that additional data be

provided on the assessment rolls; requiring that

assessment rolls be submitted in a format specified by the

executive director; authorizing a property appraiser to

use an alternative format in a case of hardship;

specifying additional parcel-level data that may be

required; amending s. 193.155, F.S.; revising provisions

governing the manner in which homestead property may be

assessed at less than just value; requiring that notice of

the abandonment of a homestead be in writing and delivered

to the property appraiser before or at the time of filing

a new application; providing procedures for the transfer

of an assessment limitation from a previous homestead to a

new homestead; authorizing property appraisers to share

confidential tax information; authorizing a taxpayer to

file an action in circuit court requiring a property

appraiser to provide certain information; authorizing a

taxpayer to file a petition with the value adjustment

board; providing for a nonrefundable fee; authorizing a

taxpayer to file for the transfer of an assessment

limitation in a year subsequent to the first year

following establishment of the new homestead; prohibiting

a refund of taxes for previous years; providing

requirements for hearings before the value adjustment

board; amending ss. 193.1554 and 195.1555, F.S., relating

to nonhomestead residential property and nonresidential

real property; requiring that an increase in the value of

property be apportioned among parcels under certain

conditions; amending s. 193.1556, F.S.; requiring that a

property owner notify the property appraiser of any change

in ownership or control; amending s. 194.011, F.S.;

providing procedures under which a taxpayer may object to

an assessment of homestead property at less than just

value; requiring that the value adjustment board in the

previous county hear the matter if the taxpayer disagrees

with the previous assessment; providing for an appeal in

the taxpayer's new county under certain circumstances;

requiring that the circuit court review decisions of the

value adjustment boards under certain circumstances;

amending s. 196.031, F.S.; specifying the order in which

homestead exemptions are applied; amending s. 196.183,

F.S.; clarifying the taxation of freestanding property;

clarifying the meaning of the phrase "site where the owner

of tangible personal property transacts business";

providing for previously assessed owners to qualify for

the exemption without filing a return at the option of the

property appraiser; requiring that property appraisers

annually notify taxpayers of the duty to file a return if

they no longer qualify for the exemption; amending s.

197.3632, F.S.; requiring that the tax collector provide

certain additional information to the Department of

Revenue concerning non-ad valorem assessments; amending s.

200.065, F.S.; clarifying the calculation of maximum

millage beginning in the 2009-2010 fiscal year; amending

s. 200.185, F.S.; clarifying the calculation of maximum

millage for the 2008-2009 fiscal year; authorizing the

Department of Revenue to adopt emergency rules; delaying

the date by which applications for an assessment of

property under s. 193.155(8), F.S., for 2008 must be

submitted; requiring the Department of Revenue to report

to the Legislature by a specified date on the effect of

recent changes in the law governing tax notices and the

assessment limitations and maximum millage limitations;

providing for the Legislature to appropriate moneys to

offset the reduction in ad valorem tax revenue experienced

by fiscally constrained counties; requiring that counties

apply to the Department of Revenue; specifying the

documentation that must be provided to the department;

providing a formula for calculating the reduction in ad

valorem revenue; repealing s. 9, ch. 2007-339, Laws of

Florida, relating to the legislative appropriation of

funds to offset the reduction in ad valorem tax revenues

in fiscally constrained counties; providing for

application of the act; providing effective dates.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

Section 1. Effective July 1, 2008, and applicable to the

2009 and subsequent tax rolls, subsections (2) and (3) of section

193.114, Florida Statutes, as amended by section 4 of chapter

2007-339, Laws of Florida, are amended, and subsection (6) is

added to that section, to read:

193.114 Preparation of assessment rolls.--

(2) The department shall promulgate regulations and forms

for the preparation of the real property assessment roll shall

include to reflect:

(a) The just value.

(b) The school district assessed value.

(d) The difference between just value and school district

and nonschool district assessed value for each statutory

provision resulting in such difference.

(e) The school taxable value.

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(f) The nonschool taxable value.

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(g) The amount of each exemption or discount causing a

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difference between assessed and taxable value.

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(h) The value of new construction.

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(i) The value of any deletion from the property causing a

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reduction in just value.

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(j) Land characteristics, including the land use code, land

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value, type and number of land units, land square footage, and a

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code indicating a combination or splitting of parcels in the

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previous year.

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(k) Improvement characteristics, including improvement

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quality, construction class, effective year built, actual year

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built, total living or usable area, number of buildings, number

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of residential units, value of special features, and a code

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indicating the type of special feature.

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(l) The market area code, according to department

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guidelines.

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(m) The neighborhood code, if used by the property

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appraiser.

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(n) For each sale of the property in the previous year, the

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sale price, sale date, official record book and page number or

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clerk instrument number, and the basis for qualification or

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disqualification as an arms-length transaction. Sale data must be

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current on all tax rolls submitted to the department and sale

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qualification decisions must be recorded on the tax roll within 3

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months after the sale date.

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(o) A code indicating that the physical attributes of the

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property as of January 1 were significantly different than that

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at the time of the last sale.

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(p) The name and address of the owner or fiduciary

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responsible for the payment of taxes on the property and an

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indicator of fiduciary capacity, as appropriate.

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(q) The state of domicile of the owner.

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(r) The physical address of the property.

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(s) The United States Census Bureau block group in which

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the parcel is located.

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(t) Information specific to the homestead property,

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including the social security number of the homestead applicant

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and the applicant's spouse, if any, and, for homestead property

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to which a homestead assessment difference was transferred in the

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previous year, the number of owners among whom the previous

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homestead was split, the assessment difference amount, the county

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of the previous homestead, the parcel identification number of

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the previous homestead, and the year in which the difference was

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transferred.

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(u) A code indicating confidentiality pursuant to s.

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119.071.

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(v) The millage for each taxing authority levying tax on

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the property.

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(w) For tax rolls submitted subsequent to the tax roll

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submitted pursuant to s. 193.1142, a notation indicating any

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change in just value from the tax roll initially submitted

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pursuant to s. 193.1142 and a code indicating the reason for the

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change.

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(a) A brief description of the property for purposes of

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location and, effective January 1, 1996, a market area code

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established according to department guidelines. However, if a

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property appraiser uses a neighborhood code, beginning in 1994,

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the property appraiser shall provide the neighborhood code to the

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department.

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(b) The just value (using the factors set out in s.

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193.011) of all property. The assessed value for school district

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levies and for nonschool district levies shall be separately

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listed.

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categorization of such exemption. There shall be a separate

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listing on the roll for exemptions pertaining to assessed value

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for school district levies and for nonschool district levies.

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(d) When property is classified so that it is assessed

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other than under s. 193.011, the value according to its

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classified use and its value as assessed under s. 193.011.

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(e) The owner or fiduciary responsible for payment of taxes

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on the property, his or her address, and an indication of any

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fiduciary capacity (such as executor, administrator, trustee,

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etc.) as appropriate.

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(f) The millage levied on the property, including

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separately, school district millage and nonschool district

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millage.

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(g) A separate listing for taxable value for school

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district levies and for nonschool district levies. The tax shall

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be determined by multiplying the millages by the taxable values

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for school district levies and nonschool district levies.

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(3) The department shall promulgate regulations and forms

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for the preparation of the tangible personal property roll shall

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include to reflect:

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(a) An industry code.

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(b) A code reference to tax returns showing the property.

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(d) The just value of leasehold improvements.

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(e) The assessed value.

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(f) The difference between just value and school district

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and nonschool district assessed value for each statutory

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provision resulting in such difference.

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(g) The taxable value.

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(h) The amount of each exemption or discount causing a

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difference between assessed and taxable value.

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(i) The penalty rate.

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(j) The name and address of the owner or fiduciary

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responsible for the payment of taxes on the property and an

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indicator of fiduciary capacity, as appropriate.

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(k) The state of domicile of the owner.

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(l) The physical address of the property.

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(m) The millage for each taxing authority levying tax on

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the property.

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(a) A code reference to the tax returns showing the

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property.

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(b) The just value (using the factors set out in s.

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193.011) of all such property subject to taxation.

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categorization of such exemption.

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(d) The owner or fiduciary responsible for payment of taxes

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on the property, his or her address, and an indication of any

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fiduciary capacity (such as executor, administrator, trustee,

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etc.) as appropriate.

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(e) The millages levied on the property.

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(f) The tax, determined by multiplying the millages by the

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taxable value.

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(6) The rolls shall be prepared in the format and contain

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the data fields specified pursuant to s. 193.1142.

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Section 2. Subsection (1) of section 193.1142, Florida

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Statutes, is amended to read:

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193.1142 Approval of assessment rolls.--

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(1)(a) Each assessment roll shall be submitted to the

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executive director of the Department of Revenue for review in the

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manner and form prescribed by the executive director department

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on or before July 1. The department shall require the assessment

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roll submitted under this section to include the social security

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numbers required under s. 196.011. The roll submitted to the

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executive director department need not include centrally assessed

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properties prior to approval under this subsection and subsection

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(2). Such review by the executive director shall be made to

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determine if the rolls meet all the appropriate requirements of

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law relating to form and just value. Upon approval of the rolls

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by the executive director, who, as used in this section includes

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or his or her designee, the hearings required in s. 194.032 may

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be held.

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(b) In addition to the other requirements of this chapter,

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the executive director is authorized to require that additional

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data be provided on the assessment roll submitted under this

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section and subsequent submissions of the tax roll. The executive

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director is authorized to notify property appraisers by April 1

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of each year of the form and content of the assessment roll to be

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submitted on July 1.

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electronic format specified by the executive director. This

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format includes comma delimited, or other character delimited,

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flat file. Any property appraiser subject to hardship because of

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the specified format may provide written notice to the executive

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director by May 1 explaining the hardship and may be allowed to

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provide the roll in an alternative format at the executive

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director's discretion. If the tax roll submitted pursuant to this

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section is in an incompatible format or if its data field

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integrity is lacking in any respect, such failure shall operate

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as an automatic extension of time to submit the roll. Additional

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parcel-level data that may be required by the executive director

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include, but are not limited to codes, fields, and data

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pertaining to:

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1. The elements set forth in s. 193.114; and

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2. Property characteristics, including location and other

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legal, physical, and economic characteristics regarding the

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property, including, but not limited to, parcel-level

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geographical information system information.

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Section 3. Subsection (8) of section 193.155, Florida

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Statutes, as amended by section 5 of chapter 2007-339, Laws of

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Florida, is amended to read:

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193.155 Homestead assessments.--Homestead property shall be

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assessed at just value as of January 1, 1994. Property receiving

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the homestead exemption after January 1, 1994, shall be assessed

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at just value as of January 1 of the year in which the property

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receives the exemption unless the provisions of subsection (8)

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apply.

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(8) Property assessed under this section shall be assessed

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at less than just value following a change of ownership when the

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person who establishes a new homestead has received a homestead

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exemption as of January 1 of either of the 2 immediately

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preceding years. A person who establishes a new homestead as of

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January 1, 2008, is entitled to have the new homestead assessed

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at less than just value only if that person received a homestead

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exemption on January 1, 2007, and only if this subsection applies

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retroactive to January 1, 2008. For purposes of this subsection,

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a husband and wife who owned and both permanently resided on a

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previous homestead shall each be considered to have received the

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homestead exemption even though only the husband or the wife

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applied for the homestead exemption on the previous homestead.

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The assessed value of the newly established homestead shall be

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determined as provided in this subsection.

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(a) If the just value of the new homestead as of January 1

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is greater than or equal to the just value of the immediate prior

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homestead as of January 1 of the year in which the immediate

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prior homestead was abandoned, the assessed value of the new

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homestead shall be the just value of the new homestead minus an

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amount equal to the lesser of $500,000 or the difference between

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the just value and the assessed value of the immediate prior

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homestead as of January 1 of the year in which the prior

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homestead was abandoned. Thereafter, the homestead shall be

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assessed as provided in this section.

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(b) If the just value of the new homestead as of January 1

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is less than the just value of the immediate prior homestead as

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of January 1 of the year in which the immediate prior homestead

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was abandoned, the assessed value of the new homestead shall be

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equal to the just value of the new homestead divided by the just

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value of the immediate prior homestead and multiplied by the

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assessed value of the immediate prior homestead. However, if the

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difference between the just value of the new homestead and the

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assessed value of the new homestead calculated pursuant to this

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paragraph is greater than $500,000, the assessed value of the new

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homestead shall be increased so that the difference between the

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just value and the assessed value equals $500,000. Thereafter,

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the homestead shall be assessed as provided in this section.

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homestead exemption as of January 1 of either of the 2

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immediately preceding years and who would otherwise be eligible

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to have a new homestead property assessed under this subsection

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establish a single new homestead, the reduction from in just

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value is limited to the higher of the difference between the just

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value and the assessed value of either of the prior eligible

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homesteads as of January 1 of the year in which either of the

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eligible prior homesteads was abandoned, but may not exceed

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$500,000.

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(d) If two or more persons abandon jointly owned and

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jointly titled property that received a homestead exemption as of

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January 1 of either of the 2 immediately preceding years, and one

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or more such persons who were entitled to and received a

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homestead exemption on the abandoned property establish a new

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homestead that would otherwise be eligible for assessment under

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this subsection, each such person establishing a new homestead is

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entitled to a reduction from in just value for the new homestead

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equal to the just value of the prior homestead minus the assessed

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value of the prior homestead divided by the number of owners of

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the prior homestead who received a homestead exemption, unless

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the title of the property contains specific ownership shares, in

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which case the share of reduction from just value shall be

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proportionate to the ownership share. In calculating the

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assessment reduction to be transferred from a prior homestead

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that has an assessment reduction for living quarters of parents

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or grandparents pursuant to s. 193.703, the value calculated

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pursuant to s. 193.703(6) must first be added back to the

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assessed value of the prior homestead. The total reduction from

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in just value for all new homesteads established under this

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paragraph may not exceed $500,000. There shall be no reduction

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from just in assessed value of any new homestead unless the prior

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homestead is reassessed at just value or is reassessed under

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subsection (3) or this subsection as of January 1 after the

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abandonment occurs.

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(e) For purposes of receiving an assessment reduction

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pursuant to this subsection, a person entitled to assessment

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under this section may abandon his or her homestead even though

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it remains his or her primary residence by notifying the property

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appraiser of the county where the homestead is located. This

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notification must be in writing and delivered at the same time as

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or before timely filing a new application for homestead exemption

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on the property.

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(f)(e) In order to have his or her homestead property

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assessed under this subsection, a person must file a form

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provided by the department as an attachment to the application

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for homestead exemption. The form, which must include a sworn

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statement attesting to the applicant's entitlement to assessment

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under this subsection, shall be considered sufficient

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documentation for applying for assessment under this subsection.

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provide to the property appraiser a copy of his or her notice of

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proposed property taxes for an eligible prior homestead or other

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similar documentation at the same time he or she applies for the

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homestead exemption, and must sign a sworn statement, on a form

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prescribed by the department, attesting to his or her entitlement

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to the assessment. The department shall require by rule that the

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required form documentation be submitted with the application for

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homestead exemption application under the timeframes and

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processes set forth in chapter 196 to the extent practicable, and

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that the filing of the statement be supported by copies of such

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notices.

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(g)1. If the previous homestead was located in a different

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county than the new homestead, the property appraiser in the

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county where the new homestead is located must transmit a copy of

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the completed form together with a completed application for

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homestead exemption to the property appraiser in the county where

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the previous homestead was located. If the previous homesteads of

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applicants for transfer were in more than one county, each

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applicant from a different county must submit a separate form.

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2. The property appraiser in the county where the previous

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homestead was located must return information to the property

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appraiser in the county where the new homestead is located by

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April 1 or within 2 weeks after receipt of the completed

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application from that property appraiser, whichever is later. As

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part of the information returned, the property appraiser in the

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county where the previous homestead was located must provide

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sufficient information concerning the previous homestead to allow

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the property appraiser in the county where the new homestead is

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located to calculate the amount of the assessment limitation

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difference which may be transferred and must certify whether the

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previous homestead was abandoned and has been or will be

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reassessed at just value or reassessed according to the

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provisions of this subsection as of the January 1 following its

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abandonment.

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3. Based on the information provided on the form from the

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property appraiser in the county where the previous homestead was

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located, the property appraiser in the county where the new

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homestead is located shall calculate the amount of the assessment

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limitation difference which may be transferred and apply the

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difference to the January 1 assessment of the new homestead.

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4. All property appraisers having information-sharing

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agreements with the department are authorized to share

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confidential tax information with each other pursuant to s.

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195.084, including social security numbers and linked information

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on the forms provided pursuant to this section.

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5. The transfer of any limitation is not final until any

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values on the assessment roll on which the transfer is based are

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final. If such values are final after tax notice bills have been

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sent, the property appraiser shall make appropriate corrections

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and a corrected tax notice bill shall be sent. Any values that

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are under administrative or judicial review shall be noticed to

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the tribunal or court for accelerated hearing and resolution so

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that the intent of this subsection may be carried out.

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6. If the property appraiser in the county where the

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previous homestead was located has not provided information

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sufficient to identify the previous homestead and the assessment

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limitation difference is transferable, the taxpayer may file an

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action in circuit court in that county seeking to establish that

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the property appraiser must provide such information.

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7. If the information from the property appraiser in the

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county where the previous homestead was located is provided after

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the procedures in this section are exercised, the property

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appraiser in the county where the new homestead is located shall

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make appropriate corrections and a corrected tax notice and tax

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bill shall be sent.

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8. This subsection does not authorize the consideration or

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adjustment of the just, assessed, or taxable value of the

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previous homestead property.

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9. The property appraiser in the county where the new

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homestead is located shall promptly notify a taxpayer if the

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information received, or available, is insufficient to identify

430

the previous homestead and the amount of the assessment

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limitation difference which is transferable. Such notification

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shall be sent on or before July 1 as specified in s. 196.151.

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10. The taxpayer may correspond with the property appraiser

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in the county where the previous homestead was located to further

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seek to identify the homestead and the amount of the assessment

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limitation difference which is transferable.

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11. If the property appraiser in the county where the

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previous homestead was located supplies sufficient information to

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the property appraiser in the county where the new homestead is

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located, such information shall be considered timely if provided

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in time for inclusion on the notice of proposed property taxes

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sent pursuant to ss. 194.011 and 200.065(1).

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12. If the property appraiser has not received information

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sufficient to identify the previous homestead and the amount of

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the assessment limitation difference which is transferable before

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mailing the notice of proposed property taxes, the taxpayer may

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file a petition with the value adjustment board in the county

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where the new homestead is located.

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(h) Any person who is qualified to have his or her property

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assessed under this subsection and who fails to file an

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application by March 1 may file an application for assessment

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under this subsection and may, pursuant to s. 194.011(3), file a

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petition with the value adjustment board requesting that an

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assessment under this subsection be granted. Such petition may be

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filed at any time during the taxable year on or before the 25th

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day following the mailing of the notice by the property appraiser

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as provided in s. 194.011(1). Notwithstanding s. 194.013, such

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person must pay a nonrefundable fee of $15 upon filing the

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petition. Upon reviewing the petition, if the person is qualified

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to receive the assessment under this subsection and demonstrates

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particular extenuating circumstances judged by the property

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appraiser or the value adjustment board to warrant granting the

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assessment, the property appraiser or the value adjustment board

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may grant an assessment under this subsection. For the 2008

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assessments, all petitioners for assessment under this subsection

466

shall be considered to have demonstrated particular extenuating

467

circumstances.

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(i) Any person who is qualified to have his or her property

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assessed under this subsection and who fails to timely file an

470

application for his or her new homestead in the first year

471

following eligibility may file in a subsequent year. The

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assessment reduction shall be applied to assessed value in the

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year the transfer is first approved, and refunds of tax may not

474

be made for previous years.

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(j) The property appraisers of the state shall, as soon as

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practicable after March 1 of each year and on or before July 1 of

477

that year, carefully consider all applications for assessment

478

under this subsection which have been filed in their respective

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offices on or before March 1 of that year. If, upon

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investigation, the property appraiser finds that the applicant is

481

entitled to assessment under this subsection, the property

482

appraiser shall make such entries upon the tax rolls of the

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county as are necessary to allow the assessment. If, after due

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consideration, the property appraiser finds that the applicant is

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not entitled under the law to assessment under this subsection,

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the property appraiser shall immediately make out a notice of

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such disapproval, giving his or her reasons therefore, and a copy

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of the notice must be served upon the applicant by the property

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appraiser either by personal delivery or by registered mail to

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the post office address given by the applicant. The applicant may

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appeal the decision of the property appraiser refusing to allow

492

the assessment under this subsection to the value adjustment

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board, and the board shall review the application and evidence

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presented to the property appraiser upon which the applicant

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based the claim and shall hear the applicant in person or by

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agent on behalf of his or her right to such assessment. Such

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appeal shall be heard by an attorney special magistrate if the

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value adjustment board uses special magistrates. The value

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adjustment board shall reverse the decision of the property

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appraiser in the cause and grant assessment under this subsection

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to the applicant if, in its judgment, the applicant is entitled

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to be granted the assessment or shall affirm the decision of the

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property appraiser. The action of the board is final in the cause

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unless the applicant, within 15 days following the date of

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refusal of the application by the board, files in the circuit

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court of the county in which the homestead is located a

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proceeding against the property appraiser for a declaratory

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judgment as is provided by chapter 86 or other appropriate

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proceeding. The failure of the taxpayer to appear before the

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property appraiser or value adjustment board or to file any paper

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other than the application as provided in this subsection does

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not constitute any bar to or defense in the proceedings.

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Section 4. Present subsections (7), (8), and (9) of section

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193.1554, Florida Statutes, as created by section 10 of chapter

515

2007-339, Laws of Florida, are renumbered as subsections (8),

516

(9), and (10), respectively, and a new subsection (7) is added to

517

that section, to read:

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193.1554 Assessment of nonhomestead residential property.--

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(7) Any increase in the value of property assessed under

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this section which is attributable to combining or dividing

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parcels shall be assessed at just value, and the just value shall

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be apportioned among the parcels created.

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Section 5. Present subsections (7), (8), and (9) of section

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193.1555, Florida Statutes, as created by section 12 of chapter

525

2007-339, Laws of Florida, are renumbered as subsections (8),

526

(9), and (10), respectively, and a new subsection (7) is added to

527

that section, to read:

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193.1555 Assessment of certain residential and

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nonresidential real property.--

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(7) Any increase in the value of property assessed under

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this section which is attributable to combining or dividing

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parcels shall be assessed at just value, and the just value shall

533

be apportioned among the parcels created.

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Section 6. Section 193.1556, Florida Statutes, as created

535

by section 14 of chapter 2007-339, Laws of Florida, is amended to

536

read:

537

193.1556 Notice of change of ownership or control Annual

538

application required for assessment.--

539

(1) Every person or entity who, on January 1, has the legal

540

title to real property that is entitled to assessment under s.

541

193.1554 or s. 193.1555 shall, on or before March 1 of each year,

542

file an application for assessment under s. 193.1554 or s.

543

193.1555 with the county property appraiser, listing and

544

describing the property for which such assessment is claimed, and

545

certifying its ownership and use. The Department of Revenue shall

546

prescribe the forms upon which the application is made. Failure

547

to make application, when required, on or before March 1 of any

548

year constitutes a waiver of the assessment under s. 193.1554 or

549

s. 193.1555 for that year, except as provided in subsection (4)

550

or subsection (5).

551

(2) The owner of property that was assessed under s.

552

193.1554 or s. 193.1555 in the prior year, or a property owner

553

who filed an original application that was denied in the prior

554

year solely for not being timely filed, may reapply on a short

555

form as provided by the department. The short form shall require

556

the applicant to affirm that the ownership and use of the

557

property have not changed since the initial application and that

558

no changes, additions, or improvements have been made to the

559

property.

560

(3) Once an original application for assessment under s.

561

193.1554 or s. 193.1555 has been granted, in each succeeding year

562

on or before February 1, the property appraiser shall mail a

563

renewal application to the applicant, and the property appraiser

564

shall accept from each such applicant a renewal application on a

565

form to be prescribed by the Department of Revenue. Such renewal

566

application shall be accepted as evidence of eligibility for

567

assessment under s. 193.1554 or s. 193.1555 by the property

568

appraiser unless he or she denies the application. Upon denial,

569

the property appraiser shall serve, on or before July 1 of each

570

year, a notice setting forth the grounds for denial on the

571

applicant by first-class mail. Any applicant objecting to such

572

denial may file a petition as provided for in s. 194.011(3).

573

(4) The value adjustment board shall grant assessment under

574

s. 193.1554 or s. 193.1555 for an otherwise eligible applicant if

575

the applicant can clearly document that failure to apply by March

576

1 was the result of postal error.

577

(5) Any applicant whose property qualifies for assessment

578

under s. 193.1554 or s. 193.1555 and who fails to file an

579

application by March 1, may file an application for such

580

assessment and may file, pursuant to s. 194.011(3), a petition

581

with the value adjustment board requesting that assessment under

582

s. 193.1554 or s. 193.1555 be granted. Such petition may be filed

583

at any time during the taxable year on or before the 25th day

584

following the mailing of the notice by the property appraiser as

585

provided in s. 194.011(1). Notwithstanding the provisions of s.

586

194.013, such person must pay a nonrefundable fee of $15 upon

587

filing the petition. Upon reviewing the petition, if the

588

applicant's property qualifies for assessment under s. 193.1554

589

or s. 193.1555 and the applicant demonstrates particular

590

extenuating circumstances judged by the property appraiser or the

591

value adjustment board to warrant granting such assessment, the

592

property appraiser or the value adjustment board may grant such

593

assessment.

594

(6) A county may, at the request of the property appraiser

595

and by a majority vote of its governing body, waive the

596

requirement that an annual application or statement be made for

597

assessment of property within the county under s. 193.1554 or s.

598

193.1555 after an initial application is made and such assessment

599

is granted. Notwithstanding such waiver, refiling of an

600

application or statement shall be required when any property

601

assessed under s. 193.1554 or s. 193.1555 is sold or otherwise

602

disposed of; when the ownership changes in any manner; or when

603

any change, addition, or improvement is made to the property. In

604

its deliberations on whether to waive the annual application or

605

statement requirement, the governing body shall consider the

606

possibility of fraudulent claims that may occur due to the waiver

607

of the annual application requirement.

608

(7) Any person or entity that owns It is the duty of the

609

owner of any property assessed under s. 193.1554 or s. 193.1555

610

must who is not required to file an annual application or

611

statement to notify the property appraiser promptly of any change

612

of ownership or control as defined in ss. 193.1554(5) and

613

193.1555(5) whenever the use of the property or the status or

614

condition of the owner changes. If any property owner fails to so

615

notify the property appraiser and the property appraiser

616

determines that for any year within the prior 10 years the

617

owner's property was not entitled to assessment under s. 193.1554

618

or s. 193.1555, the owner of the property is subject to the taxes

619

avoided as a result of such failure plus 15 percent interest per

620

annum and a penalty of 50 percent of the taxes avoided. It is the

621

duty of the property appraiser making such determination to

622

record in the public records of the county a notice of tax lien

623

against any property owned by that person or entity in the

624

county, and such property must be identified in the notice of tax

625

lien. Such property is subject to the payment of all taxes and

626

penalties. Such lien when filed shall attach to any property,

627

identified in the notice of tax lien, owned by the person or

628

entity that illegally or improperly was assessed under s.

629

193.1554 or s. 193.1555. If such person or entity no longer owns

630

property in that county, but owns property in some other county

631

or counties in the state, it shall be the duty of the property

632

appraiser to record a notice of tax lien in such other county or

633

counties, identifying the property owned by such person or entity

634

in such county or counties, and it becomes a lien against such

635

property in such county or counties.

636

Section 7. Subsection (2) of section 194.011, Florida

637

Statutes, is amended, and subsection (6) is added to that

638

section, to read:

639

194.011 Assessment notice; objections to assessments.--

640

(2) Any taxpayer who objects to the assessment placed on

641

any property taxable to him or her, including the assessment of

642

homestead property at less than just value under s. 193.155(8),

643

may request the property appraiser to informally confer with the

644

taxpayer. Upon receiving the request, the property appraiser, or

645

a member of his or her staff, shall confer with the taxpayer

646

regarding the correctness of the assessment. At this informal

647

conference, the taxpayer shall present those facts considered by

648

the taxpayer to be supportive of the taxpayer's claim for a

649

change in the assessment of the property appraiser. The property

650

appraiser or his or her representative at this conference shall

651

present those facts considered by the property appraiser to be

652

supportive of the correctness of the assessment. However, nothing

653

herein shall be construed to be a prerequisite to administrative

654

or judicial review of property assessments.

655

(6) The following provisions apply to petitions to the

656

value adjustment board concerning the assessment of homestead

657

property at less than just value under s. 193.155(8):

658

(a) If the taxpayer does not agree with the amount of the

659

assessment limitation difference for which the taxpayer qualifies

660

as stated by the property appraiser in the county where the

661

previous homestead property was located, or if the property

662

appraiser in that county has not stated that the taxpayer

663

qualifies to transfer any assessment limitation difference, upon

664

the taxpayer filing a petition to the value adjustment board in

665

the county where the new homestead property is located, the value

666

adjustment board in that county shall, upon receiving the appeal,

667

send a notice to the value adjustment board in the county where

668

the previous homestead was located, which shall reconvene if it

669

has already adjourned.

670

(b) Such notice operates as a petition in, and creates an

671

appeal to, the value adjustment board in the county where the

672

previous homestead was located of all issues surrounding the

673

previous assessment differential for the taxpayer involved.

674

However, the taxpayer may not petition to have the just,

675

assessed, or taxable value of the previous homestead changed.

676

677

previous homestead was located shall set the petition for hearing

678

and notify the taxpayer, the property appraiser in the county

679

where the previous homestead was located, the property appraiser

680

in the county where the new homestead is located, and the value

681

adjustment board in that county, and shall hear the appeal. Such

682

appeal shall be heard by an attorney special magistrate if the

683

value adjustment board in the county where the previous homestead

684

was located uses special magistrates. The taxpayer may attend

685

such hearing and present evidence, but need not do so. The value

686

adjustment board in the county where the previous homestead was

687

located shall issue a decision and send a copy of the decision to

688

the value adjustment board in the county where the new homestead

689

is located.

690

(d) In hearing the appeal in the county where the new

691

homestead is located, that value adjustment board shall consider

692

the decision of the value adjustment board in the county where

693

the previous homestead was located on the issues pertaining to

694

the previous homestead and on the amount of any assessment

695

reduction for which the taxpayer qualifies. The value adjustment

696

board in the county where the new homestead is located may not

697

hold its hearing until it has received the decision from the

698

value adjustment board in the county where the previous homestead

699

was located.

700

(e) In any circuit court proceeding to review the decision

701

of the value adjustment board in the county where the new

702

homestead is located, the court may also review the decision of

703

the value adjustment board in the county where the previous

704

homestead was located.

705

Section 8. Subsection (7) is added to section 196.031,

706

Florida Statutes, as amended by section 6 of chapter 2007-339,

707

Laws of Florida, to read:

708

196.031 Exemption of homesteads.--

709

(7) The exemptions provided in paragraphs (1)(a) and (b)

710

and other homestead exemptions shall be applied as follows:

711

(a) The exemption in paragraph (1)(a) shall apply to the

712

first $25,000 of assessed value;

713

(b) The second $25,000 of assessed value shall be taxable

714

unless other exemptions, as listed in paragraph (d), are

715

applicable in the order listed;

716

717

for levies other than school district levies, shall be applied to

718

the assessed value greater than $50,000 before any other

719

exemptions are applied to that assessed value; and

720

(d) Other exemptions include and shall be applied in the

721

following order: widows, widowers, blind persons, and disabled

722

persons, as provided in s. 196.202; disabled ex-servicemembers

723

and surviving spouses, as provided in s. 196.24, applicable to

724

all levies; the local option low-income senior exemption up to

725

$50,000, applicable to county levies or municipal levies, as

726

provided in s. 196.075; and the veterans percentage discount, as

727

provided in s. 196.082.

728

Section 9. Section 196.183, Florida Statutes, as created by

729

section 8 of chapter 2007-339, Laws of Florida, is amended to

730

read:

731

196.183 Exemption for tangible personal property.--

732

(1) Each tangible personal property tax return is eligible

733

for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of up to $25,000 of

734

assessed value. A single return must be filed for each site in

735

the county where the owner of tangible personal property

736

transacts business. Owners of freestanding property placed at

737

multiple sites, other than sites where the owner transacts

738

business, must file a single return, including all such property

739

located in the county. Freestanding property placed at multiple

740

sites includes vending and amusement machines, LP/propane tanks,

741

utility and cable company property, billboards, leased equipment,

742

and similar property that is not customarily located in the

743

offices, stores, or plants of the owner, but is placed throughout

744

the county. Railroads, private carriers, and other companies

745

assessed pursuant to s. 193.085 shall be allowed one $25,000

746

exemption for each county to which the value of their property is

747

allocated. The $25,000 exemption for freestanding property placed

748

at multiple locations and for centrally assessed property shall

749

be allocated to each taxing authority based on the proportion of

750

just value of such property located in the taxing authority;

751

however, the amount of the exemption allocated to each taxing

752

authority may not change following the extension of the tax roll

753

pursuant to s. 193.122.

754

(2) For purposes of this section, a "site where the owner

755

of tangible personal property transacts business" includes

756

facilities where the business ships or receives goods, employees

757

of the business are located, goods or equipment of the business

758

are stored, or goods or services of the business are produced,

759

manufactured, or developed, or similar facilities located in

760

offices, stores, warehouses, plants, or other locations of the

761

business. Sites where only the freestanding property of the owner

762

is located shall not be considered sites where the owner of

763

tangible personal property transacts business.

764

(3)(2) The requirement that an annual tangible personal

765

property tax return pursuant to s. 193.052 be filed for taxpayers

766

owning taxable property the value of which, as listed on the

767

return, does not exceed the exemption provided in this section is

768

waived. In order to qualify for this waiver, a taxpayer must file

769

an initial return on which the exemption is taken. If, in

770

subsequent years, the taxpayer owns taxable property the value of

771

which, as listed on the return, exceeds the exemption, the

772

taxpayer is obligated to file a return. The taxpayer may again

773

qualify for the waiver only after filing a return on which the

774

value as listed on the return does not exceed the exemption. A

775

return filed or required to be filed shall be considered an

776

application filed or required to be filed for the exemption under

777

this section.

778

(4) Owners of property previously assessed by the property

779

appraiser without a return being filed may, at the option of the

780

property appraiser, qualify for the exemption under this section

781

without filing an initial return.

782

(5)(3) The exemption provided in this section does not

783

apply in any year a taxpayer fails to timely file a return that

784

is not waived pursuant to subsection (3) or subsection (4) (2).

785

Any taxpayer who received a waiver pursuant to subsection (3) or

786

subsection (4) (2) and who owns taxable property the value of

787

which, as listed on the return, exceeds the exemption in a

788

subsequent year and who fails to file a return with the property

789

appraiser is subject to the penalty contained in s. 193.072(1)(a)

790

calculated without the benefit of the exemption pursuant to this

791

section. Any taxpayer claiming more exemptions than allowed

792

pursuant to subsection (1) is subject to the taxes exempted as a

793

result of wrongfully claiming the additional exemptions plus 15

794

percent interest per annum and a penalty of 50 percent of the

795

taxes exempted. By February 1 of each year, the property

796

appraiser shall notify by mail all taxpayers whose requirement

797

for filing an annual tangible personal property tax return was

798

waived in the previous year. The notification shall state that a

799

return must be filed if the value of the taxpayer's tangible

800

personal property exceeds the exemption and include the penalties

801

for failure to file such a return.

802

(6)(4) The exemption provided in this section does not

803

apply to a mobile home that is presumed to be tangible personal

804

property pursuant to s. 193.075(2).

805

Section 10. Subsection (5) of section 197.3632, Florida

806

Statutes, is amended to read:

807

197.3632 Uniform method for the levy, collection, and

808

enforcement of non-ad valorem assessments.--

809

(5)(a) By September 15 of each year, the chair of the local

810

governing board or his or her designee shall certify a non-ad

811

valorem assessment roll on compatible electronic medium to the

812

tax collector. The local government shall post the non-ad valorem

813

assessment for each parcel on the roll. The tax collector shall

814

not accept any such roll that is not certified on compatible

815

electronic medium and that does not contain the posting of the

816

non-ad valorem assessment for each parcel. It is the

817

responsibility of the local governing board that such roll be

818

free of errors and omissions. Alterations to such roll may be

819

made by the chair or his or her designee up to 10 days before

820

certification. If the tax collector discovers errors or omissions

821

on such roll, he or she may request the local governing board to

822

file a corrected roll or a correction of the amount of any

823

assessment.

824

(b) Beginning in 2009, by December 15 of each year, the tax

825

collector shall provide to the department a copy of each local

826

governing board's non-ad valorem assessment roll containing the

827

data elements and in the format prescribed by the executive

828

director. In addition, beginning in 2008, a report shall be

829

provided to the department by December 15 of each year for each

830

non-ad valorem assessment roll, including, but not limited to,

831

the following information:

832

1. The name and type of local governing board levying the

833

non-ad valorem assessment;

834

2. Whether or not the local government levies a property

835

tax;

836

3. The basis for the levy;

837

4. The rate of assessment;

838

5. The total amount of non-ad valorem assessment levied;

839

and

840

6. The number of parcels affected.

841

Section 11. Subsection (5) of section 200.065, Florida

842

Statutes, is amended to read:

843

200.065 Method of fixing millage.--

844

(5) Beginning in the 2009-2010 fiscal year and in each year

845

thereafter:

846

(a) The maximum millage rate that a county, municipality,

847

special district dependent to a county or municipality, municipal

848

service taxing unit, or independent special district may levy is

849

a rolled-back rate based on the amount of taxes which would have

850

been levied in the prior year if the maximum millage rate had

851

been applied, adjusted for change growth in per capita Florida

852

personal income and changes in geographic boundaries not adopted

853

by referendum, unless a higher rate is adopted, in which case the

854

maximum is the adopted rate. The maximum millage rate applicable

855

to a county authorized to levy a county public hospital surtax

856

under s. 212.055 and which did so in fiscal year 2007 shall

857

exclude the revenues required to be contributed to the county

858

public general hospital in the current fiscal year for the

859

purposes of making the maximum millage rate calculation, but

860

shall be added back to the maximum millage rate allowed after the

861

roll back has been applied, the total of which shall be

862

considered the maximum millage rate for such a county for

863

purposes of this subsection. The revenue required to be

864

contributed to the county public general hospital for the

865

upcoming fiscal year shall be calculated as 11.873 percent times

866

the millage rate levied for countywide purposes in fiscal year

867

2007 times 95 percent of the preliminary tax roll for the

868

upcoming fiscal year. A higher rate may be adopted only under the

869

following conditions:

870

1. A rate of not more than 110 percent of the rolled-back

871

rate based on the previous year's maximum millage rate, adjusted

872

for change growth in per capita Florida personal income and

873

changes in geographic boundaries not adopted by referendum, may

874

be adopted if approved by a two-thirds vote of the membership of

875

the governing body of the county, municipality, or independent

876

district; or

877

2. A rate in excess of 110 percent may be adopted if

878

approved by a unanimous vote of the membership of the governing

879

body of the county, municipality, or independent district or by a

880

three-fourths vote of the membership of the governing body if the

881

governing body has nine or more members, or if the rate is

882

approved by a referendum.

883

(b) The millage rate of a county or municipality, municipal

884

service taxing unit of that county, and any special district

885

dependent to that county or municipality may exceed the maximum

886

millage rate calculated pursuant to this subsection if the total

887

county ad valorem taxes levied or total municipal ad valorem

888

taxes levied do not exceed the maximum total county ad valorem

889

taxes levied or maximum total municipal ad valorem taxes levied

890

respectively. Voted millage and taxes levied by a municipality or

891

independent special district that has levied ad valorem taxes for

892

less than 5 years are not subject to this limitation. The millage

893

rate of a county authorized to levy a county public hospital

894

surtax under s. 212.055 may exceed the maximum millage rate

895

calculated pursuant to this subsection to the extent necessary to

896

account for the revenues required to be contributed to the county

897

public hospital. Total taxes levied may exceed the maximum

898

calculated pursuant to subsection (6) as a result of an increase

899

in taxable value above that certified in subsection (1) if such

900

increase is less than the percentage amounts contained in

901

subsection (6) or if the administrative adjustment cannot be made

902

because the value adjustment board is still in session at the

903

time the tax roll is extended; otherwise however, if such

904

increase in taxable value exceeds the percentage amounts

905

contained in this subsection, millage rates subject to this

906

subsection, s. 200.185, or s. 200.186 may must be reduced so that

907

total taxes levied do not exceed the maximum.

908

909

Any unit of government operating under a home rule charter

910

adopted pursuant to ss. 10, 11, and 24, Art. VIII of the State

911

Constitution of 1885, as preserved by s. 6(e), Art. VIII of the

912

State Constitution of 1968, which is granted the authority in the

913

State Constitution to exercise all the powers conferred now or

914

hereafter by general law upon municipalities and which exercises

915

such powers in the unincorporated area shall be recognized as a

916

municipality under this subsection. For a downtown development

917

authority established before the effective date of the 1968 State

918

Constitution which has a millage that must be approved by a

919

municipality, the governing body of that municipality shall be

920

considered the governing body of the downtown development

921

authority for purposes of this subsection.

922

Section 12. Subsections (5) and (8) of section 200.185,

923

Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

924

200.185 Maximum millage rates for the 2007-2008 and 2008-

925

2009 fiscal years.--

926

(5) In the 2008-2009 fiscal year, a county, municipal

927

service taxing units of that county, and special districts

928

dependent to that county; a municipality and special districts

929

dependent to that municipality; and an independent special

930

district may levy a maximum millage determined as follows:

931

(a) The maximum millage rate that may be levied shall be

932

the rolled-back rate calculated pursuant to s. 200.065 and

933

adjusted for change growth in per capita Florida personal income

934

and geographic boundary changes not adopted by referendum, except

935

that ad valorem tax revenue levied in the 2007-2008 fiscal year

936

shall be reduced by any tax revenue resulting from a millage rate

937

approved by a super majority vote of the governing board of the

938

taxing authority in excess of the maximum rate that could have

939

been levied by a majority vote as provided in this section. For a

940

county authorized to levy a county public hospital surtax under

941

s. 212.055 and which did so in fiscal year 2007, the maximum

942

millage rate shall exclude the revenues required to be

943

contributed to the county public general hospital in the current

944

fiscal year for the purposes of making the maximum millage rate

945

calculation, but shall be added back to the maximum millage rate

946

allowed after the applicable percentage of the rolled-back rate

947

has as provided in subparagraphs (2)(a)1. through 5. has been

948

applied, the total of which shall be considered the maximum

949

millage rate for such a county for purposes of this subsection.

950

The revenue required to be contributed to the county public

951

general hospital for the upcoming fiscal year shall be calculated

952

as 11.873 percent times the millage rate levied for countywide

953

purposes in fiscal year 2007 times 95 percent of the preliminary

954

tax roll for the upcoming fiscal year. For a downtown development

955

authority established before the effective date of the 1968 State

956

Constitution which has a millage that must be approved by a

957

municipality, the governing body of that municipality shall be

958

considered the governing body of the downtown development

959

authority for purposes of this subsection.

960

(b) A rate of not more than 110 percent of the rate in

961

paragraph (a) may be levied if approved by a two-thirds vote of

962

the membership of the governing body of the county, municipality,

963

or independent district.

964

965

paragraph (b) may be levied if approved by a unanimous vote of

966

the membership of the governing body of the county, municipality,

967

or independent district or by a three-fourths vote of the

968

membership of the governing body if the governing body has nine

969

or more members, or if approved by a referendum of the voters.

970

(8) The millage rate of a county or municipality, municipal

971

service taxing unit of that county, and any special district

972

dependent to that county or municipality may exceed in any year

973

the maximum millage rate calculated pursuant to this section if

974

the total county ad valorem taxes levied or total municipal ad

975

valorem taxes levied, as defined in s. 200.001, do not exceed the

976

maximum total county ad valorem taxes levied or maximum total

977

municipal ad valorem taxes levied, as defined in s. 200.001,

978

respectively. Voted millage, as defined in s. 200.001, and taxes

979

levied by a municipality or independent special district that has

980

levied ad valorem taxes for less than 5 years are not subject to

981

the limitation on millage rates provided by this section. Total

982

taxes levied may exceed the maximum calculated pursuant to this

983

section as a result of an increase in taxable value above that

984

certified in s. 200.065(1) if such increase is less than the

985

percentage amounts contained in s. 200.065(6) or if the

986

administrative adjustment cannot be made because the value

987

adjustment board is still in session at the time the tax roll is

988

extended; otherwise however, if such increase in taxable value

989

exceeds the percentage amounts contained in s. 200.065(6),

990

millage rates subject to this section may must be reduced so that

991

total taxes levied do not exceed the maximum. Any unit of

992

government operating under a home rule charter adopted pursuant

993

to ss. 10, 11, and 24, Art. VIII of the State Constitution of

994

1885, as preserved by s. 6(e), Art. VIII of the State

995

Constitution of 1968, which is granted the authority in the State

996

Constitution to exercise all the powers conferred now or

997

hereafter by general law upon municipalities and which exercises

998

such powers in the unincorporated area shall be recognized as a

999

municipality under this section.

1000

Section 13. (1) The executive director of the Department

1001

of Revenue is authorized, and all conditions are deemed met, to

1002

adopt emergency rules under ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54(4), Florida

1003

Statutes, for the purpose of implementing this act.

1004

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, such

1005

emergency rules shall remain in effect for 18 months after the

1006

date of adoption and may be renewed during the pendency of

1007

procedures to adopt rules addressing the subject of the emergency

1008

rules.

1009

Section 14. Notwithstanding the provisions of s.

1010

193.155(8)(e), (f), and (g), Florida Statutes, for the 2008

1011

taxable year, the property appraiser must accept and consider

1012

applications for assessment under s. 193.155(8), Florida

1013

Statutes, which are submitted by May 1.

1014

Section 15. The Department of Revenue shall report by

1015

February 1, 2009, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker

1016

of the House of Representatives on the effect of recent changes

1017

in law on the Notice of Proposed Property Taxes as specified in

1018

s. 200.069, Florida Statutes. The report shall examine the

1019

consistency, completeness, and accuracy of the information being

1020

provided to taxpayers in light of recently enacted exemptions

1021

from property tax and assessment increase limitations, and shall

1022

examine the effect of these exemptions and assessment increase

1023

limitations on school and nonschool taxable value and the maximum

1024

millage levy limitations.

1025

Section 16. (1) Beginning in fiscal year 2008-2009, the

1026

Legislature shall appropriate moneys to offset the reductions in

1027

ad valorem tax revenue experienced by fiscally constrained

1028

counties, as defined in s. 218.67(1), Florida Statutes, which

1029

occur as a direct result of the implementation of revisions of

1030

Article VII of the State Constitution approved in the special

1031

election held on January 29, 2008. The moneys appropriated for

1032

this purpose shall be distributed in January of each fiscal year

1033

among the fiscally constrained counties based on each county's

1034

proportion of the total reduction in ad valorem tax revenue

1035

resulting from the implementation of the revision.

1036

(2) On or before November 15 of each year, beginning in

1037

2008, each fiscally constrained county shall apply to the

1038

Department of Revenue to participate in the distribution of the

1039

appropriation and provide documentation supporting the county's

1040

estimated reduction in ad valorem tax revenue in the form and

1041

manner prescribed by the Department of Revenue. The

1042

documentation must include an estimate of the reduction in

1043

taxable value directly attributable to revisions of Article VII

1044

of the State Constitution for all county taxing jurisdictions

1045

within the county and shall be prepared by the property

1046

appraiser in each fiscally constrained county. The

1047

documentation must also include the county millage rates

1048

applicable in all such jurisdictions for both the current year

1049

and the prior year; rolled-back rates, determined as provided

1050

in s. 200.065, Florida Statutes, for each county taxing

1051

jurisdiction; and maximum millage rates that could have been

1052

levied by majority vote pursuant to s. 200.185, Florida

1053

Statutes. For purposes of this section, each fiscally

1054

constrained county's reduction in ad valorem tax revenue shall

1055

be calculated as 95 percent of the estimated reduction in

1056

taxable value times the lesser of the 2007 applicable millage

1057

rate or the applicable millage rate for each county taxing

1058

jurisdiction in the prior year.

1059

Section 17. Section 9 of chapter 2007-339, Laws of Florida,

1060

is repealed.

1061

Section 18. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this

1062

act, this act shall take effect upon becoming a law and applies

1063

to the 2008 and subsequent tax rolls.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.