Homestead Exception question
 

Does anyone know what is needed to apply for the Homestead Exception - the phone number listed for the Property Appraiser's Office in the phone book is disconnected - some of Sumter County numbers go to private residents and other businesses - I was told many numbers for Sumter County Government offices are incorrect in the book?? - thanks

try going to their website - Sumter County Property Appraiser - Joey Hooten - Bushnell, Florida - 352-569-6800

Take your FL driver's license and car registration and voter registration to the Library building. Walk back to where the waiting room is, and the person monitoring that will direct you to a little office at one end of that room.

I'm not positive if the voter registration is required (but we took ours), but the other two are. If you have two cars, you only need one car's registration.

Thanks so much for the info!

You might have better luck asking about Homestead Exemption (rather than Exception).

I did mine yesterday so reminder to everyone who moved in on or before Jan 1, the deadline is march 1. I needed car tag #, and a driver's license.
Remember also to change the addy on your driver's license, which can be done at the same time, and you won't believe me, but you need a passport to do that if you have not already been fully vetted by the state of FL and have a gold star on your Florida DL. Also for the DL, two proofs of address in TV, like bank statements, service provider bills..

U also have be registered to vote here.

The lady in the office really does it for you, 5 minutes = $500

Is that all it saves on your property taxes? Geeze.

yes as in every year, what does that add up to?

Less than what we got in Michigan.

The appraisers office at the intersection of Morse and 466 phone number is
352.689.4637. Open Mon to Fri, 8 AM to 4 PM, closed for lunch between 12 noon and 1 PM.

I handed in my homesead exemption about two weeks ago, and offered 2 bills confirming my present residence, voter registratiion card and they went by your license. If you have your license for the state of Florida, and your car is registered, they didn't require anything else. I would call and verify, what you need to bring.

My understanding is, you have to live here in January, 2014, to apply for the homestead exemption, and not have another primary residence. Florida, TV, must be your primary residence.

If you have moved here in 2013 like I did, you pay the full amount of taxes due. With the "homestead exemption, $50K, reduces your tax bill. My taxes will be less by a third in 2014. Life is good!!!! :smiley:

I did mine last week for Marion county. I went to the Tax Appraisors's office in Ocala. Only needed my license. Took about 10 minutes with no waiting line. Saves $600 a year in taxes.

I believe this is in error. Although it is accepted as proof of residence it can not be required.
As a trust can own property and obtain an exemption if one of it's benificiaries is a permanent resident therein, it follows a voter registration is not required .

From the Net
Required Documentation For Homestead (found orange county but Sumter should be the same)
All applications submitted, must include copies of the following required documentation (proofs of residency) for all owners who apply:

1. Your recorded deed or tax bill.
2. All owners residing on the property and making application for the exemption must provide the following information:
If you drive, a FLORIDA Driver's License and one of the following:

◦Florida Vehicle Registration
◦Florida Voter Registration Card
◦Recorded County Declaration of Domicile (affidavit of residency obtained through the County Comptroller's Office)


If you do not drive, you must provide any two of the following,

◦Florida Identification Card
◦Florida Vehicle Registration (don't understand why a non driver would have this)
◦Florida Voter Registration Card
◦Recorded Orange County Declaration of Domicile (affidavit of residency obtained through the Orange County Comptroller's Office)
3.Social Security numbers are required for all owners making application and their spouses, even if the spouse does not own and/or reside on the property. Preferably your card or some other document with your number.

4.If you are not a United States Citizen, your Permanent Residence (green) Card (front and back).
SPECIAL NOTES:
If title to the property on which you are applying is held in a trust, a copy of the entire trust agreement must be submitted, with the application.

Qualifications and Trusts holding property.
Pursuant to Fla. Stat. 196.031, in order to qualify for a homestead exemption, as of January 1st of the tax year in question, you must have either legal or beneficial title to the property for which you are seeking an exemption, and the property must be the permanent residence of either yourself or someone who is legally or naturally dependent on you. Thus, the property can be owned by a trust, as long as the applicant retains beneficial title and a possessory interest in the property. However, the homestead exemption may not be claimed by a corporation.

The property must also be you or your natural dependent’s “permanent residence,” which is defined by Fla. Stat. 196.012(18) as “that place where a person has his or her true, fixed, and permanent home and principal establishment to which, whenever absent, he or she has the intention of returning.” In determining whether the property is your permanent residence, the Property Appraiser may consider a number of statutory factors, including but not limited to the existence of a formal declaration of domicile, where your children are registered for school, your place of employment, residency in another state, the address where you are registered to vote, the address on your driver’s license or identification card, vehicle registration, the address on your federal income tax returns, the address on your bank statements, and proof of payment for utilities at the subject property

When I applied in Feb. 2012 I ALSO had to submit the first page of my federal income tax from 2011. At that time the total gross adj. income, last line on pg. 1 had to be under $26,800.00 in order to get the homestead: for 2013 the figure WAS AROUND $27,500.00.
Did the proof of income to be eligible change?

Looking at the website and form, I don't see any income requirements for the BASIC homestead exemption. I was never asked my income. They do say that they may ask for your most recent tax return, but only to check the address.

There are however income requirements for the ADDITIONAL homestead options that you can apply for. The additional homestead for being age 65 or above has an income requirement and the additional homestead if you are claiming to have a total and permanent disability has an income requirement.

Here's a link to the website for more info.
FL Dept Rev - Property Tax Exemptions and Discounts

Here's a link to the income requirements for 65 or older or disabled.

FL Dept Rev - Florida Property Tax Valuation and Income Limitation Rates