[JohnN]

Just got a letter from Tom Swain, the Sumter County Tax Assessor,
says "2008 Real Estate Notice of Ad Valorem Taxes and Non Ad Valorem Assessments"

This appears to be both my property tax bill (Ad Valorem) and the CDD Bond (Non Ad Valorem), but since I've only been here a couple months, I'm not quite sure.

Is this all there is, both the Real Estate Property and the CDD Bond on this one statement? Thanx

[villages07]

JohnN,

Yep, that's everything.... your real estate tax, CDD maintenance fee, and your annual bond payment.

Now, if it seems unusually low, there might be an explanation. You just bought this year. As I recall, in Sumter County, if you purchase your home in the same year as it was constructed, you are only taxed on the land portion...not full, improved value. This may not hold true for the whole year (i.e. if you bought in January).

In my case, my home was constructed in March-June, contracted in July, and settled in August. That first year, I had a relatively small tax bill. Don't worry, it catches up to you the next year.

[barb1191]

Originally Posted by villages07

JohnN,

Yep, that's everything.... your real estate tax, CDD maintenance fee, and your annual bond payment.

Now, if it seems unusually low, there might be an explanation. You just bought this year. As I recall, in Sumter County, if you purchase your home in the same year as it was constructed, you are only taxed on the land portion...not full, improved value. This may not hold true for the whole year (i.e. if you bought in January).

In my case, my home was constructed in March-June, contracted in July, and settled in August. That first year, I had a relatively small tax bill. Don't worry, it catches up to you the next year.

Your RE tax bill does NOT include a CDD maintenance fee. What you refer to as the "CDD maintenance fee" is paid along with your water/sewer and Solid Waste charges and is called the Amenity Charge.

[villages07]

Barb,

Maybe it's semantics/terminology....

Yes, the water/trash bill now includes the approx $140 monthly amenity fee....for golf courses, rec centers, pools, village watch etc. These are amenities.

However, the annual property tax bill has a line item "Village District 6, Unit 121" (that's what mine says) in the non-ad valorum section for $500. The red footnote below this says "The VCCDD non ad valorem tax (maint and bond special assessment) is not a county tax. Money is distributed back to VCCDD office."

I believe it is this approx $500 charge on the real estate tax bill that was questioned by Chelsea last night and for which John N is asking for clarification. It is my understanding that this fee pays for the upkeep of the non-amenity common infrastructure...sidewalks, street lights, common area landscaping, multimodal trails, etc.

[JohnN]

got it.. thanks!!!

[barb1191]

Originally Posted by villages07

Barb,

Maybe it's semantics/terminology....

Yes, the water/trash bill now includes the approx $140 monthly amenity fee....for golf courses, rec centers, pools, village watch etc. These are amenities.

However, the annual property tax bill has a line item "Village District 6, Unit 121" (that's what mine says) in the non-ad valorum section for $500. The red footnote below this says "The VCCDD non ad valorem tax (maint and bond special assessment) is not a county tax. Money is distributed back to VCCDD office."

I believe it is this approx $500 charge on the real estate tax bill that was questioned by Chelsea last night and for which John N is asking for clarification. It is my understanding that this fee pays for the upkeep of the non-amenity common infrastructure...sidewalks, street lights, common area landscaping, multimodal trails, etc.

No, not at all semantics....It is my understanding that the charge on your RE bill is for your BOND which goes directly to the developer to cover the preliminary expenses as follows:

THE BOND: The purpose of the Chapter 190 law was and is to promote housing development through use of tax-free bonds that developers use to lower the cost of homes in these residential communities. Developers issue bonds to pay for initial infrastructure (clearing, grading, sewers, roads, water supply, utilities, etc.). The original construction bonds are assigned to the CDD's initial residents and eventually paid off by residents over periods of 10-30 years.

The Amenity Charge covers the maintenance for common areas (amenities & grounds) for what has already been established. This fee goes directly into the VCCDD fund for the following:

AMENITY FEE:The bill for common areas maintenance on your monthly VCCDD bill with the trash and water charges. This amenity charge covers the common grounds and amenities maintenance.

[chuckster]

Have to agree with 07. check the bottom non-ad valorem assessments section and you will see 2 spec. assmt., one is maint.(an annual charge) and the other is the bond if unpaid. The maint assmt. is ongoing and will appear every year forever even though you may or already have paid off the "bond".

Hope this helps.

[barb1191]

Originally Posted by chuckster

Have to agree with 07. check the bottom non-ad valorem assessments section and you will see 2 spec. assmt., one is maint.(an annual charge) and the other is the bond if unpaid. The maint assmt. is ongoing and will appear every year forever even though you may or already have paid off the "bond".

Hope this helps.

I apologize ...and stand corrected.

Thanks.....barb

[scottke]

If we are paying taxes through our mortgage company do we just ignore this? It doesn't say this is for advice only. Or do we have to forward this to the mortgage company? Thanks. Also, we noticed on our last bill our Amenities fee went up, did anyone elses?

[wdwduo]

We also received our first FL tax bill yesterday. Being from NJ, I expected to see First Citizen's listed as mortgage holder. I asked First Citizens and they indicated that they will indeed pay the taxes, prior to Nov 30. They are apparently looking into the tax bill. Suggest you let First Citizens know they are not listed on your bill.
LED

[drdodge]

Your bank should have gotten a copy of your tax bill. If you have a mortage it will be listed aginst the property in the registry of deeds.

drd

[scottke]

Thanks so much for the info. I will contact First Citizens on Monday.

[zcaveman]

The CDD Maintenance Fee is an amount money that goes to YOUR CDD to pay for flowers, lawn mowing and trimming, road repair, etc of the non-residential portions of your CDD.

Evey year YOUR CDD will have a meeting and set the rate for the CDD and it will be included in your taxes.