FL S0444

Adds exceptions to what constitutes a "change of ownership" for homestead property assessment purposes, including transfers where joint tenants with right of survivorship are removed from title or when one joint tenant dies and the same owner retains the homestead exemption

Reduces the penalty for improperly receiving a homestead property assessment limitation from 50% to 25% of unpaid taxes

Changes the interest rate on improperly claimed homestead exemptions from a flat 15% per annum to the adjusted prime rate charged by banks plus 4 percentage points

Applies the same reduced penalty (50% to 25%) and revised interest rate formula to improper claims of the additional homestead exemption for persons 65 and older

Effective date of July 1, 2019