Bill Text: FL S0454 | 2018 | Regular Session | Comm Sub


Bill Title: Limitations on Homestead Assessments

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Failed) 2018-03-10 - Died in Appropriations Subcommittee on Finance and Tax [S0454 Detail]

Download: Florida-2018-S0454-Comm_Sub.html
       Florida Senate - 2018                              CS for SB 454
       
       
        
       By the Committee on Community Affairs; and Senator Brandes
       
       
       
       
       
       578-01793-18                                           2018454c1
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to limitations on homestead
    3         assessments; amending s. 193.155, F.S.; revising the
    4         timeframe when the accrued benefit from specified
    5         limitations on homestead property tax assessments may
    6         be transferred from a prior homestead to a new
    7         homestead; deleting obsolete provisions; conforming
    8         provisions to changes made by the act; providing
    9         applicability; providing a contingent effective date.
   10          
   11  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   12  
   13         Section 1. Subsection (8) of section 193.155, Florida
   14  Statutes, is amended to read:
   15         193.155 Homestead assessments.—Homestead property shall be
   16  assessed at just value as of January 1, 1994. Property receiving
   17  the homestead exemption after January 1, 1994, shall be assessed
   18  at just value as of January 1 of the year in which the property
   19  receives the exemption unless the provisions of subsection (8)
   20  apply.
   21         (8) Property assessed under this section shall be assessed
   22  at less than just value when the person who establishes a new
   23  homestead has received a homestead exemption as of January 1 of
   24  any either of the 3 2 immediately preceding years. A person who
   25  establishes a new homestead as of January 1, 2008, is entitled
   26  to have the new homestead assessed at less than just value only
   27  if that person received a homestead exemption on January 1,
   28  2007, and only if this subsection applies retroactive to January
   29  1, 2008. For purposes of this subsection, a husband and wife who
   30  owned and both permanently resided on a previous homestead shall
   31  each be considered to have received the homestead exemption even
   32  though only the husband or the wife applied for the homestead
   33  exemption on the previous homestead. The assessed value of the
   34  newly established homestead shall be determined as provided in
   35  this subsection.
   36         (a) If the just value of the new homestead as of January 1
   37  is greater than or equal to the just value of the immediate
   38  prior homestead as of January 1 of the year in which the
   39  immediate prior homestead was abandoned, the assessed value of
   40  the new homestead shall be the just value of the new homestead
   41  minus an amount equal to the lesser of $500,000 or the
   42  difference between the just value and the assessed value of the
   43  immediate prior homestead as of January 1 of the year in which
   44  the prior homestead was abandoned. Thereafter, the homestead
   45  shall be assessed as provided in this section.
   46         (b) If the just value of the new homestead as of January 1
   47  is less than the just value of the immediate prior homestead as
   48  of January 1 of the year in which the immediate prior homestead
   49  was abandoned, the assessed value of the new homestead shall be
   50  equal to the just value of the new homestead divided by the just
   51  value of the immediate prior homestead and multiplied by the
   52  assessed value of the immediate prior homestead. However, if the
   53  difference between the just value of the new homestead and the
   54  assessed value of the new homestead calculated pursuant to this
   55  paragraph is greater than $500,000, the assessed value of the
   56  new homestead shall be increased so that the difference between
   57  the just value and the assessed value equals $500,000.
   58  Thereafter, the homestead shall be assessed as provided in this
   59  section.
   60         (c) If two or more persons who have each received a
   61  homestead exemption as of January 1 of any either of the 3 2
   62  immediately preceding years and who would otherwise be eligible
   63  to have a new homestead property assessed under this subsection
   64  establish a single new homestead, the reduction from just value
   65  is limited to the higher of the difference between the just
   66  value and the assessed value of either of the prior eligible
   67  homesteads as of January 1 of the year in which either of the
   68  eligible prior homesteads was abandoned, but may not exceed
   69  $500,000.
   70         (d) If two or more persons abandon jointly owned and
   71  jointly titled property that received a homestead exemption as
   72  of January 1 of any either of the 3 2 immediately preceding
   73  years, and one or more such persons who were entitled to and
   74  received a homestead exemption on the abandoned property
   75  establish a new homestead that would otherwise be eligible for
   76  assessment under this subsection, each such person establishing
   77  a new homestead is entitled to a reduction from just value for
   78  the new homestead equal to the just value of the prior homestead
   79  minus the assessed value of the prior homestead divided by the
   80  number of owners of the prior homestead who received a homestead
   81  exemption, unless the title of the property contains specific
   82  ownership shares, in which case the share of reduction from just
   83  value shall be proportionate to the ownership share. In the case
   84  of a husband and wife abandoning jointly titled property, the
   85  husband and wife may designate the ownership share to be
   86  attributed to each spouse by following the procedure in
   87  paragraph (f). To qualify to make such a designation, the
   88  husband and wife must be married on the date that the jointly
   89  owned property is abandoned. In calculating the assessment
   90  reduction to be transferred from a prior homestead that has an
   91  assessment reduction for living quarters of parents or
   92  grandparents pursuant to s. 193.703, the value calculated
   93  pursuant to s. 193.703(6) must first be added back to the
   94  assessed value of the prior homestead. The total reduction from
   95  just value for all new homesteads established under this
   96  paragraph may not exceed $500,000. There shall be no reduction
   97  from just value of any new homestead unless the prior homestead
   98  is reassessed at just value or is reassessed under this
   99  subsection as of January 1 after the abandonment occurs.
  100         (e) If one or more persons who previously owned a single
  101  homestead and each received the homestead exemption qualify for
  102  a new homestead where all persons who qualify for homestead
  103  exemption in the new homestead also qualified for homestead
  104  exemption in the previous homestead without an additional person
  105  qualifying for homestead exemption in the new homestead, the
  106  reduction in just value shall be calculated pursuant to
  107  paragraph (a) or paragraph (b), without application of paragraph
  108  (c) or paragraph (d).
  109         (f) A husband and wife abandoning jointly titled property
  110  who wish to designate the ownership share to be attributed to
  111  each person for purposes of paragraph (d) must file a form
  112  provided by the department with the property appraiser in the
  113  county where such property is located. The form must include a
  114  sworn statement by each person designating the ownership share
  115  to be attributed to each person for purposes of paragraph (d)
  116  and must be filed prior to either person filing the form
  117  required under paragraph (h) to have a parcel of property
  118  assessed under this subsection. Such a designation, once filed
  119  with the property appraiser, is irrevocable.
  120         (g) For purposes of receiving an assessment reduction
  121  pursuant to this subsection, a person entitled to assessment
  122  under this section may abandon his or her homestead even though
  123  it remains his or her primary residence by notifying the
  124  property appraiser of the county where the homestead is located.
  125  This notification must be in writing and delivered at the same
  126  time as or before timely filing a new application for homestead
  127  exemption on the property.
  128         (h) In order to have his or her homestead property assessed
  129  under this subsection, a person must file a form provided by the
  130  department as an attachment to the application for homestead
  131  exemption, including a copy of the form required to be filed
  132  under paragraph (f), if applicable. The form, which must include
  133  a sworn statement attesting to the applicant’s entitlement to
  134  assessment under this subsection, shall be considered sufficient
  135  documentation for applying for assessment under this subsection.
  136  The department shall require by rule that the required form be
  137  submitted with the application for homestead exemption under the
  138  timeframes and processes set forth in chapter 196 to the extent
  139  practicable.
  140         (i)1. If the previous homestead was located in a different
  141  county than the new homestead, the property appraiser in the
  142  county where the new homestead is located must transmit a copy
  143  of the completed form together with a completed application for
  144  homestead exemption to the property appraiser in the county
  145  where the previous homestead was located. If the previous
  146  homesteads of applicants for transfer were in more than one
  147  county, each applicant from a different county must submit a
  148  separate form.
  149         2. The property appraiser in the county where the previous
  150  homestead was located must return information to the property
  151  appraiser in the county where the new homestead is located by
  152  April 1 or within 2 weeks after receipt of the completed
  153  application from that property appraiser, whichever is later. As
  154  part of the information returned, the property appraiser in the
  155  county where the previous homestead was located must provide
  156  sufficient information concerning the previous homestead to
  157  allow the property appraiser in the county where the new
  158  homestead is located to calculate the amount of the assessment
  159  limitation difference which may be transferred and must certify
  160  whether the previous homestead was abandoned and has been or
  161  will be reassessed at just value or reassessed according to the
  162  provisions of this subsection as of the January 1 following its
  163  abandonment.
  164         3. Based on the information provided on the form from the
  165  property appraiser in the county where the previous homestead
  166  was located, the property appraiser in the county where the new
  167  homestead is located shall calculate the amount of the
  168  assessment limitation difference which may be transferred and
  169  apply the difference to the January 1 assessment of the new
  170  homestead.
  171         4. All property appraisers having information-sharing
  172  agreements with the department are authorized to share
  173  confidential tax information with each other pursuant to s.
  174  195.084, including social security numbers and linked
  175  information on the forms provided pursuant to this section.
  176         5. The transfer of any limitation is not final until any
  177  values on the assessment roll on which the transfer is based are
  178  final. If such values are final after tax notice bills have been
  179  sent, the property appraiser shall make appropriate corrections
  180  and a corrected tax notice bill shall be sent. Any values that
  181  are under administrative or judicial review shall be noticed to
  182  the tribunal or court for accelerated hearing and resolution so
  183  that the intent of this subsection may be carried out.
  184         6. If the property appraiser in the county where the
  185  previous homestead was located has not provided information
  186  sufficient to identify the previous homestead and the assessment
  187  limitation difference is transferable, the taxpayer may file an
  188  action in circuit court in that county seeking to establish that
  189  the property appraiser must provide such information.
  190         7. If the information from the property appraiser in the
  191  county where the previous homestead was located is provided
  192  after the procedures in this section are exercised, the property
  193  appraiser in the county where the new homestead is located shall
  194  make appropriate corrections and a corrected tax notice and tax
  195  bill shall be sent.
  196         8. This subsection does not authorize the consideration or
  197  adjustment of the just, assessed, or taxable value of the
  198  previous homestead property.
  199         9. The property appraiser in the county where the new
  200  homestead is located shall promptly notify a taxpayer if the
  201  information received, or available, is insufficient to identify
  202  the previous homestead and the amount of the assessment
  203  limitation difference which is transferable. Such notification
  204  shall be sent on or before July 1 as specified in s. 196.151.
  205         10. The taxpayer may correspond with the property appraiser
  206  in the county where the previous homestead was located to
  207  further seek to identify the homestead and the amount of the
  208  assessment limitation difference which is transferable.
  209         11. If the property appraiser in the county where the
  210  previous homestead was located supplies sufficient information
  211  to the property appraiser in the county where the new homestead
  212  is located, such information shall be considered timely if
  213  provided in time for inclusion on the notice of proposed
  214  property taxes sent pursuant to ss. 194.011 and 200.065(1).
  215         12. If the property appraiser has not received information
  216  sufficient to identify the previous homestead and the amount of
  217  the assessment limitation difference which is transferable
  218  before mailing the notice of proposed property taxes, the
  219  taxpayer may file a petition with the value adjustment board in
  220  the county where the new homestead is located.
  221         (j) Any person who is qualified to have his or her property
  222  assessed under this subsection and who fails to file an
  223  application by March 1 may file an application for assessment
  224  under this subsection and may, pursuant to s. 194.011(3), file a
  225  petition with the value adjustment board requesting that an
  226  assessment under this subsection be granted. Such petition may
  227  be filed at any time during the taxable year on or before the
  228  25th day following the mailing of the notice by the property
  229  appraiser as provided in s. 194.011(1). Notwithstanding s.
  230  194.013, such person must pay a nonrefundable fee of $15 upon
  231  filing the petition. Upon reviewing the petition, if the person
  232  is qualified to receive the assessment under this subsection and
  233  demonstrates particular extenuating circumstances judged by the
  234  property appraiser or the value adjustment board to warrant
  235  granting the assessment, the property appraiser or the value
  236  adjustment board may grant an assessment under this subsection.
  237  For the 2008 assessments, all petitioners for assessment under
  238  this subsection shall be considered to have demonstrated
  239  particular extenuating circumstances.
  240         (k) Any person who is qualified to have his or her property
  241  assessed under this subsection and who fails to timely file an
  242  application for his or her new homestead in the first year
  243  following eligibility may file in a subsequent year. The
  244  assessment reduction shall be applied to assessed value in the
  245  year the transfer is first approved, and refunds of tax may not
  246  be made for previous years.
  247         (l) The property appraisers of the state shall, as soon as
  248  practicable after March 1 of each year and on or before July 1
  249  of that year, carefully consider all applications for assessment
  250  under this subsection which have been filed in their respective
  251  offices on or before March 1 of that year. If, upon
  252  investigation, the property appraiser finds that the applicant
  253  is entitled to assessment under this subsection, the property
  254  appraiser shall make such entries upon the tax rolls of the
  255  county as are necessary to allow the assessment. If, after due
  256  consideration, the property appraiser finds that the applicant
  257  is not entitled to the assessment under this subsection, the
  258  property appraiser shall immediately prepare a notice of such
  259  disapproval, giving his or her reasons therefor, and a copy of
  260  the notice must be served upon the applicant by the property
  261  appraiser by personal delivery or by registered mail to the post
  262  office address given by the applicant. The applicant may appeal
  263  the decision of the property appraiser refusing to allow the
  264  assessment under this subsection to the value adjustment board,
  265  and the board shall review the application and evidence
  266  presented to the property appraiser upon which the applicant
  267  based the claim and hear the applicant in person or by agent on
  268  behalf of his or her right to such assessment. Such appeal shall
  269  be heard by an attorney special magistrate if the value
  270  adjustment board uses special magistrates. The value adjustment
  271  board shall reverse the decision of the property appraiser in
  272  the cause and grant assessment under this subsection to the
  273  applicant if, in its judgment, the applicant is entitled to the
  274  assessment or shall affirm the decision of the property
  275  appraiser. The action of the board is final in the cause unless
  276  the applicant, within 60 days following the date of refusal of
  277  the application by the board, files in the circuit court of the
  278  county in which the homestead is located a proceeding against
  279  the property appraiser for a declaratory judgment as is provided
  280  under chapter 86 or other appropriate proceeding. The failure of
  281  the taxpayer to appear before the property appraiser or value
  282  adjustment board or to file any paper other than the application
  283  as provided in this subsection does not constitute a bar to or
  284  defense in the proceedings.
  285         Section 2. This act applies beginning with the 2019 tax
  286  roll.
  287         Section 3. This act shall take effect on the effective date
  288  of the amendment to the State Constitution proposed by SJR 452
  289  or a similar joint resolution having substantially the same
  290  specific intent and purpose, if such amendment to the State
  291  Constitution is approved at the general election held in
  292  November 2018.

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