Homestead Taxes

27 May, 2008

Real Estate and Tangible Personal Property Reminder Notices were mailed on April 4, 2008. Delinquent tax payments must be made by cashier's check, money order, or certified check. Postmarks will not be considered. Payment must be in our office by 3:00 p.m. on May 31, 2008.

27 May, 2008

If you purchase a property in a foreclosure or short sale, your actual purchase price will not reflect the just (market) value used for determining your taxes. Instead, Florida law requires our office to use the reasonable market price of a sale of similar homes in your neighborhood (or a similar area) sold under normal financial conditions to determine the assessment. Regardless of your 2008 purchase price, assessments in Florida are done a year in arrears. This means your 2008 assessment is based on the sales in your neighborhood (excluding foreclosures, short sales and non-arm's length transactions) between January 2, 2007 and January 1, 2008.

20 Apr, 2008

So long as you retain sufficient control over the trust (i.e., including the right to live on the property) OR are the named beneficiary of the trust with the right to live upon the property for life (or for at least 98 years), it should not cause any problems for maintaining your Homestead and other exemptions. Once you place the property into a trust, please complete and return a notarized Certificate of Trust form to our office to ensure your exemptions and Save Our Homes value remain intact. Ask your attorney for advice, as creating a proper trust can be complicated.

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2 Apr, 2008

Copies of recorded mortgages related to Broward properties are directly searchable online at the Broward County Records Division website. You may also search for deeds, liens, release of liens, court judgments, condo declarations, and various other recorded documents on their website. If you have questions for the County Records Division, they may be reached at 954.831.4000.

19 Mar, 2008

An interest bearing first lien representing unpaid delinquent real estate property taxes which are offered for sale by Broward County Revenue Collection through competitive bid to pay delinquent taxes. Tax certificates are not "recorded" liens nor are they reported to any credit bureaus. They are a "first" priority lien.

19 Mar, 2008

In many situations, as long as you still own the property and you did not surrender the property to the Trustee or the Court you would be responsible for the taxes. However, consult your Bankruptcy Attorney to find out how this applies to your situation.

19 Mar, 2008

Taxes become delinquent as of April 1 each year following the year of assessment. If your real estate taxes are not paid, a tax certificate will be sold on or before June 1 in accordance with Florida Statutes. Delinquent real estate taxes may be paid with cash, cashier's check or money order made payable to Broward County Revenue Collection either in person or by mail to Broward County Revenue Collection, 115 S. Andrews Avenue, Room A-100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Wire transfers are also accepted. For wire transfer instructions, please e-mail revenue@broward.org

For delinquent taxes, we do not accept credit cards, personal, business, trust account or escrow checks.

28 Feb, 2008

The Tax Collector's Office is authorized to allow taxpayers an alternative payment plan (installment plan) if their estimated taxes are more than $100.00. The taxpayer must complete a Notice and Application for Alternative Payment form, or request in writing to the Tax Collector's Office prior to May 1.

The first payment must be made no later than June 30. Failure to make the first payment will automatically cancel the participant from the plan, and the taxpayer will be required to pay the taxes due in full by March 31. Upon meeting the first installment deadline, the taxpayer is obligated to participate in the program for the entire year. Any amount remaining unpaid on April 1 is considered a delinquent tax.

The following payment schedule applies to the installment plan:

1st Installment: 1/4 the total of estimated taxes discounted 6%. Payment due by June 30th

2nd Installment: 1/4 to the total estimated taxes discounted 4.5%. Payment due by September 30

3rd Installment: 1/4 the total estimated taxes plus the remaining

26 Feb, 2008

Proof of Ownership: Recorded Warranty Deed, Co-op Propriety Lease, Notice of Proposed Taxes or Tax Receipt, if in your name(s).

1. FOR ALL APPLICANTS: Florida's Driver's License (or -- for non-drivers only -- a Florida I.D. Card) is REQUIRED. Note: "Valid Only in Florida" driver license is not acceptable; PLUS either one of the following:
   1. Florida Voter's Registration; or
   2. Recorded Declaration of Domicile.
2. FOR NON-US CITIZENS, you must have the items listed above AND proof of permanent residency, asylum/parolee status (or other "PRUCOL" status).

22 Feb, 2008

Tax Certificate Sales - General Information

Beginning on or before June 1, the Tax Collector is required by law to hold a Tax Certificate Sale. The tax certificate represents a lien on unpaid real estate properties. Interest accrues on the tax certificate from June 1 until the taxes are paid. The amount of the certificate is the sum of the unpaid real estate tax and the non-ad valorem assessments, penalties, advertising costs and fees. ExceptionsTax Certificates are not sold on parcels with Homestead exemption with taxes less than $100.00 Tax Certificates are not knowingly sold on parcels involved in bankruptcy or litigation. If bankruptcy or litigation occurs after a certificate is issued, the court may determine the amount of interest to be paid. Bankruptcy and litigation may extend the life of a certificate and places an automatic stay on the Tax Deed Application process.

22 Feb, 2008

Tax notices are mailed on or before November 1 of each year with the following discounts for

• 4% if paid in November
• 3% if paid in December
• 2% if paid in January
• 1% if paid in February
• Gross tax if paid in March, no discount applies

20 Feb, 2008

Late Filing for Exemptions

If you missed the March 1 deadline to timely file for an exemption or special classification, you must submit a Late Filing petition to the VAB -- along with the statutory $15 filing fee. If you miss the September 18 late filing deadline, you may still file until the end of the year for homestead if you also file a Good Cause request (see below). You can download the forms and find the filing information further down this page. Important: In addition to filing a petition, you MUST also file for the exemption itself to be eligible.

20 Feb, 2008

March 1 (or next business day, if on a weekend):
Deadline for timely filing

• Agricultural Classification
• Homestead Exemption
• Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption Initial Application
• Non-Profit/Institutional Exemption

for the current tax year.

19 Feb, 2008

Homesteaded owners do NOT need to apply for the additional savings, as the $50,000 homestead exemption amount will be automatically applied starting this year. The Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) has drafted some initial forms and guidelines -- and is now working on drafting the administrative rules and additional forms to implement the rest of these new benefits. Click here to visit the DOR website tracking these developments. You can also read the enabling legislation for the amendment by clicking here if you'd like to learn more.

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19 Feb, 2008

Pre-qualify for a bank loan

Money talks. If you want to walk away with the property, show cash up front. Sellers respond when they have confidence that you can support your offer with prompt financing, so pay a visit to your mortgage lender before you shop for houses.

You can get pre-qualified in a matter of minutes, by showing a few documents and submitting to a credit check. And if you want to really up the ante, go ahead and get pre-approved for the loan, up to a certain amount. With a pre-approval letter in hand, you can open doors and have a distinct advantage over other competing bidders.