Marco Rubio, Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, and Kathy Parsons need our help!! Read more and take action to stop punishing people who pay high property taxes and help those potential buyers who want to live the American Dream!!! Here’s her letter she wrote to me!

Janis,

As a Floridian, business owner, mother of two, and concerned citizen — I am standing with Marco Rubio for Florida’s future. Here’s why.

Two years ago, I voiced my concerns about skyrocketing property taxes in our state. Being in the real estate business for 40 years, 25 of which have been in Florida, I know first hand how important it is to keep property taxes low and our economy vibrant. Instead of creating incentives for new homeowners, high property taxes punish people who already own property and dissuade potential buyers from purchasing their own home. This is not the American dream and certainly not the dream I had for my kids and grandchildren.

At the time, Marco Rubio was the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. He heard my concerns through an email I sent to him and Governor Crist. Marco responded to me, and asked that I participate in his Townhall meeting to address our rising taxes and to help come up with sensible solutions to solve the problem.

For the first time, I saw something in Marco that I have never seen before. With Marco, it’s about coming up with solutions to the problems that face each and every one of us. It’s not about telling us one thing and then turning around and doing another. Heck, with Marco — it’s not even about him.

Instead, it is about the big ideas and real solutions that will ensure the future of our great state. And he gets those ideas from us.

I participated in that Townhall with Marco. Together we talked about the burden of high property taxes placed on those seeking a home for their family. After the Townhall meeting, Marco didn’t stop the conversation. As the Speaker, he worked diligently to keep property tax reform at the forefront of the legislative agenda.

Today, tomorrow, and every single day from now until Election Day, I will stand with Marco Rubio for Florida’s future. I will do so because I know that Marco will always include us in the discussion as the keys to our future.

Our task now is to spread the word about Marco Rubio and to encourage every Floridian to stand with him and us for Florida’s future.

Use our Forward-to-a-Friend tool to invite ten people from your network to stand with us.

Marco can do it but he can’t do it alone. He needs people like you and me to talk to our friends, neighbors and every one we know to support him. I have included a way for you to help below:

http://marcorubio.com/forward.php

Today I’m asking you to spread the word about Marco so that others will stand with us for the future of Florida. I thank you for your help!

Sincerely,

Kathy Parsons
Melbourne, FL

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Contact Your Legislators Today!

The Florida Legislature is set to adjourn Friday evening. Much has been accomplished, but there is still work to be done! With this Call to Action we have customized letters making it simple for you contact your Senator and your Representative with separate messages. The message to the Florida Senate is to take action on pending property tax and health insurance legislation. The message to members of the Florida House is a “thank you” for passing so many meaningful property tax reform measures and an encouragement to keep working towards a compromise on health insurance legislation.

The Florida House of Representatives has passed a number of great property tax reform bills, however, the Florida Senate has so far been unwilling to take many of them up for final consideration. It is important to note that property tax relief WILL be offered on the November ballot thanks to proposed constitutional amendments offered by the Tax and Budget Reform Commission (TBRC). The Senate still has a chance, though, to enact legislation that could result in even greater property tax reforms.

House Bill 129 by Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera and House Bill 1283 by Rep. Dean Cannon have both passed the full House and currently await Senate action. HB 129 makes critical changes to the application of the “Highest and Best Use” standard of appraising property, while HB 1283 levels the playing field for property owners who appeal their assessment to the Value Adjustment Board. FAR strongly supports these two bills!

In addition, the Governor, the Senate and the House all agree that providing affordable health insurance to Florida’s uninsured is a top priority this Session. While both the Senate and the House have passed health insurance legislation, a compromise has yet to be reached. Florida’s Realtors know that this issue is too important to be caught up in internal politics and a compromise is needed by Friday for final passage. Please let your legislators know that something must be done for the thousands of uninsured Floridians!

Please click below to send your message today!
http://tinyurl.com/5ae6ol

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Dear Janis,

Thank you for continuing to assist your fellow Floridians in the fight for significant property tax reform in the state of Florida.

Through your efforts and the leadership of the Governor and Marco Rubio and the House leadership, we have been able to keep the property tax issue on the table and succeed in winning this battle.

After our vote on Amendment 1, we had one message for the leaders in Tallahassee:

Amendment 1 does not mean you’re done!

As an organization, we have endorsed the cap of the 1.35% Initiative being pushed by one of our affiliate members Cut Property Taxes Now and encourage you to visit our petition page to download one, sig n it, and send it in.

Last week, over 500 Floridians traveled to Tallahassee to meet with various legislative leaders and members of the Tax and Budget Reform Commission. House Speaker Marco Rubio invited the group to visit the House Chamber. There he gave an incredibly compelling speech on the need for ongoing tax reform efforts. We also heard from Tax and Budget Reform Commissioner Patricia Levesque and many other legislative leaders.

New Efforts
The Tax and Budget Reform Commission did pass the 1 cent sales tax swap to do away with the state portion of property taxes, and very soon, they will vote on a spending cap tied to an index of growth plus inflation.

We will keep you updated on those efforts.

In the meantime, please help us by doing the following:

E-Mail or Call Your Legislator: Help us convince the political leaders of Florida that comprehensive reform is needed immediately. You can determine your state legislator by visiting www.flsenate.gov and www.myfloridahouse.gov.

Email or Call the Tax and Budget Reform Commission: We encourage you to visit their website at www.floridatbrc.org to learn more and to contact their members to urge them to support the TABOR cap. Thank you for your continued support in the fight for lower property taxes.

Sincerely,

Jose Cancela
Co-Chair, Floridians for Property Tax Reform

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Just a quick reminder that today, March 3, 2008, is the deadline to file homestead exemption in order for you to receive a $25000 tax exemption!

Dont forget to file for portability too if you moved in 2007!!

Read a similar article on Homestead Exemption:

Homestead Deadline Approaching in Volusia County

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Cyndi Parker, PROFESSIONAL TITLE

Attention all Homeowners!!!

Professional Title wants to remind you that Friday, February 29, 2008, is the last day to file for your $25,000 homestead exemption!!

DO NOT FORGET TO FILE. If you have moved this past year, and want to file for the first time on your property, YOU MUST GO IN PERSON TO THE TAX APPRAISERS OFFICE. Take with you:

• Copy of your Deed
• Copy of your tax bill
• Drivers license
• Voters Registration or Vehicle Registration
• Copy of a utility bill for this property dated prior to 1/1/08
  NOTE: Your address on all must be the same as the Homestead Property

If you are unable to locate your Deed or tax bill, call us at Professional Title and we will be more than happy to locate a copy and get it to you.

If you miss the February 29th deadline, you may still file a petition requesting homestead exemption, paying a $15 penalty. This petition may or may not be approved.

RENEWAL OF HOMESTEAD:

If you have filed previously on the property for which you want to claim homestead, you are not required to refile and should have received a postcard from the tax office which states, If you want to continue receiving your homestead exemption on this property, DO NOT return this card. In this case, doing nothing will automatically renew your homestead exemption.

NOTE: Recording a Quit Claim Deed (or deed of any kind) during the past year on your property might create a situation which requires that you FILE AGAIN IN PERSON. An example would be changing title from yourself individually into your Trust; or in a divorce situation, a Deed from one spouse to the other.

If you have any questions, please call us at Professional Title and let our years of experience with taxes help clarify your situation.

This year is bringing many changes to the tax structure for all properties in the State of Florida. Homestead, Commercial, Investment properties¦¦all are affected by the changes. PORTABILITY!! What does it mean?? How does it work?? Will it really save me money??? How about the additional $25,000 Homestead Exemption?? STAY TUNED!! My next article will help clarify these changes.

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Now, its up to voters on January 29th to decide on the latest misguided attempts at solving the FLorida property tax dilemma!

WHAT DOES THE PROPOSAL SAY?

• The $25000 homestead exemption would increase to about $40000. This gives the average homeowner a $240 tax break. WOW!!!! The exemption is really $50,000 but the additional $25,000 exemption applies to the portion of a homes value between 50K and 75K to make sure that most homes pay at least some tax. The exemption includes school taxes, hence the equivalent of a $40,000 exemption.
• The Save Our Homes 3% cap for annual increases on assessed valuations is still the same
• Renters and commercial properties are not affected
• In addition, the homesteaded Floridians who move within the state would have the right to carry up to $500,000 in accumulated tax protection to their new home. The just value of the new homestead must be more than the previous home’s just value. According to the proposal.. “the entire differential can be transferred (up to $500,000); if the new homestead has a lower just value, the amount of the accumulated benefit that may be transferred is proportional to the value of the new homestead.” For example: If a property owner moving from a $1 million homesteaded house in Seminole County moves into a $500,000 house in Volusia County, they will have the benefit of $500,000 in valuations protected by Save our Homes — a significant reduction in property taxes Volusia would otherwise realize.
• Also, the cap assessment increase for businesses, second homes and other types of non homesteaded property to be 10% a year.

Now, my chance to tell you that this is the worst proposal I have seen! Smoke and mirrors will not solve the problem. All voters
should reject this on January 29th! Lawmakers, get real and go back and do your jobs.

Tags: Save+Our+Homes, Florida+Tax+reform, Volusia+county

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You must reside in the Volusia County property you buy as of December 31^st of this year and must file for homestead exemption prior to February 28^th!

When you file you must bring all of the requirements below for all owners appearing on the deed :

• Florida Voter’s Registration ( if you vote)
• Florida Drivers License ( if you drive)
• Florida Registrationfor car ( if you own a car)
• Recorded Warranty Deed for Property..not a copy, must have the raised seal!
• Current electrical receipt for service in your name prior to January 1st
• Social Security Number ( for all Owners)

If you do not vote, drive, or own a car, a Declaration of Domicile can prove Florida residency.

All applicants are required to sign the Application for Homestead Exemption.

If you have any questions about where or how to file, contact the Property Appraiser’s Office at 386.254.4601. Their address is 250 N. Beach Street, Daytona Beach, FL 32114.

Call Marty Gagliardi at 386.316.5968, if you have any further questions regarding homestead exemption!

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The Florida House of Representatives released a revised property tax relief proposal that will be considered on Monday. This plan includes provisions advocated by both Republicans and Democrats in the House.

This new House proposal includes a five percent assessment cap on Commercial and non-homestead property. This is intended to provide the predictability and stability that non-homestead property owners have been advocating for.

The House is also advocating a new homestead exemption that, instead of doubling the current $25,000 exemption, would guarantee a minimum Save Our Homes exemption of 40% of the county median home value. House leaders believe this will provide relief to not only new buyers but those who have purchased in recent years.

We expect the House to begin consideration of this proposal today,Monday, Oct.22nd. Both the House and Senate plans that are being considered maintain the current Save Our Homes structure and provide for portability of Save Our Homes.

Below is a side-by-side that gives more detail on the current Senate and House proposals.

File Attachment: DOCS-#270249-v1-chart_10-19-07.doc (58 KB)

Here is a list of issues proposed by the House plan:

Instead of doubling the homestead exemption, this exemption is tied to the county’s median home value and will target relief to all homestead property owners (not just first time buyers). Again, the exemption would be 40% of area median.
• Save Our Homes-like cap on non-homestead and commercial property to help restore fairness, equity and predictability to our property tax system by capping any increase at 5%. This will help businesses who have faced outrageous tax increases and owners of second homes (Snowbirds)
• Portability – homeowners may transfer their Save Our Homes benefits to a new homestead anywhere in Florida within 2 years of leaving their former homestead.
• Creates a new Tangible Personal Property Exemption of $25,000
• Limits the authority of local governments to increase property taxes
• Provides for limitations on assessed values of properties used for affordable housing
• Provides an assessment growth limitation for all non-homestead properties in Florida by 5%
• Creates more flexibility for the Legislature to limit assessments for working waterfront properties
• Election of all county property appraisers

A big thank you to Nancy Riley, 2007 FAR President !

Tags: Florida+Tax+Reform

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Please read the letter below sent from Jose Cancela, Co-Chair, Floridians for Property Tax Reform!!

October 16, 2007

Dear Janis,

Last week Governor Charlie Crist unveiled a new tax relief plan for the January 29th ballot. It was a revised version of the original super-homestead plan that included doubling the homestead exemption and portability. We appreciate his effort, although there has been universal agreement that just those two elements alone are not enough to get Florida’s economy back on track.

We were so pleased today though when the House Policy & Budget Council approved a 3 percent assessment cap on the amount a non-homestead or commercial property could increase on the tax rolls each year. This assessment would immediately level the playing field for all property owners in Florida. It would immediately restore fairness, equity, and predictability to the property tax system. We applaud the House for their leadership on this issue.

We have to hold the Governor to his word that he is going to make taxes “drop like a rock.” We have to continue to urge President Pruitt and the Senate to pursue a comprehensive tax reform package. In order to do that, there must be relief for homestead, non-homestead and commercial property owners alike.

It is imperative that you call or e-mail Governor Crist and President Pruitt to encourage them to support the 3 percent assessment cap for non-homestead property. This addition will provide the property tax predictability and protection that non-homestead and commercial property owners in Florida so desperately need.

(850) 488-7146
Charlie.Crist@myflorida.com

(850) 487-5229
Pruitt.Ken.web@flsenate.gov

Sincerely,

Jose Cancela
Co-Chair, Floridians for Property Tax Reform

Thank you Jose Cancela from Team Gagliardi!!!

Tags: Florida+Tax+Reform, Governor+Charlie+Crist

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