HB19 Summary

• Substantially repeals Act 2012-313 by restoring homestead exemption provisions to their pre-2012 form, while retaining the $12,000 income limit for persons age 65 and over.

• Restores full homestead exemptions from state ad valorem taxes for residents over 65 years old, permanently and totally disabled persons regardless of age, and blind persons regardless of age, without income limitations.

• Authorizes the Department of Revenue to accept evidence other than tax returns to verify income eligibility and allows persons over 65 and permanently disabled persons to verify exemption eligibility annually by mail affidavit instead of annual applications.

• Adds Section 40-9-21.2 establishing penalties for knowingly providing false information to claim homestead exemptions: requires payment of twice the unpaid ad valorem taxes retroactively up to 10 years plus 15% annual interest, payable within 30 days or subject to state civil action.

• Makes provisions retroactive to August 1, 2012 for the tax year beginning October 1, 2012, with claims allowed until August 1, 2013.