SPB 7130 - Ad Valorem Taxation Summary

• Recognizes commercial mail delivery service postmarks as valid filing dates for ad valorem tax applications, in addition to USPS postmarks, and creates new section 192.048 allowing certain ad valorem documents (tax notices, exemption applications, VAB decisions) to be transmitted electronically with recipient consent and verification requirements.

• Requires property appraisers to publish notices of tax roll certification dates and extensions on their websites, and extends the appeal deadline for denied homestead assessment limitation transfers from 15 days to 60 days.

• Allows counties to waive annual application requirements for reductions in assessed value for homestead properties providing living quarters for parents or grandparents, while establishing procedures for assessing back taxes, penalties (50% of unpaid taxes), and interest (15% per annum) for improperly granted reductions over the previous 10 years.

• Removes the requirement that homestead title holders must reside on the property to qualify for homestead tax exemption, and clarifies that lessees entitled to homestead exemption are not subject to change-of-ownership reassessment.

• Removes limited partnerships with 501(c)(3) general partners from the affordable housing property tax exemption and excludes school district taxes from the revenue-sharing formula for property transferred from St. Lucie County to Martin County, effective July 1, 2013.