Fla. tax base down less than expected
Taxable property values dropped 15% last year say county appraisers, though they must ignore sales by lenders in calculations.
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Appeals court upholds ‘Save Our Homes’
Appeals court upholds ‘Save Our Homes’
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Florida’s property taxes go haywire
Florida’s property taxes go haywire
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Property tax challenges just got easier
Property tax challenges just got easier
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Crist pushes first-time homebuyer exemption
Crist pushes first-time homebuyer exemption
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Florida Supreme Court: Amendment 5 off November ballot
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Sept. 3, 2008 – Amendment 5 – the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR)-backed constitutional amendment that would lower property taxes statewide by 25 percent to 40 percent, depending on where you live – could be stricken from the ballot if the Supreme Court decides that the ballot language is not clear or there is a technical problem.
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APPEALING APPEAL
The state has filed an appeal of a lower court decision to remove Amendment 5 – the comprehensive property tax amendment that would reduce tax liabilities by 25 percent up to 40 percent depending on where you live – from the November ballot.
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Amendment 5 still on November ballot
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Aug. 20, 2008 – Amendment 5, Florida’s proposed constitutional amendment that would lower property taxes by 25 percent up to 40 percent depending on where you live, will remain on the November ballot pending a decision by the Florida Supreme Court, which is expected in early September.
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Circuit judge bumps Amendment 5 from Florida ballot – appeal certain
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Aug. 14, 2008 – Judge John C. Cooper of the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court ruled this afternoon that Amendment 5’s property tax reform initiative be struck from the November ballot, calling the ballot summary misleading to voters. The Florida Association of Realtors (FAR) expressed disappointment, but the association looks forward to a favorable ruling in the District Court of Appeals and the Florida Supreme Court.
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Amendment 5 to have its day in court
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – July 17, 2008 – If Florida voters pass Amendment 5 in November, property taxes will drop by 25-40 percent, but the amendment must first face a court challenge. A Tallahassee judge will hear arguments on Aug. 13, and the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR), which supports the amendment, anticipates a favorable ruling.
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Crist announces support for Amendment 5 property tax reform
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Aug. 5, 2008 – The property tax reform amendment advocated by FAR has a new backer – Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. Concerned about the Florida economy, Crist offered his first full endorsement yesterday, and says he will stump for passage.
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Judge hears Fla. planning amendment case 080708
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) – Aug. 7, 2008 – Supporters of a proposed Florida constitutional amendment requiring voters to approve changes in local growth management plans told a federal judge Wednesday that a host of discrepancies and problems improperly blocked the measure from the November ballot.
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FAR launches ‘Give Me 5 for Florida’s Future’ to support Amendment 5
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – July 22, 2008 – With the bipartisan support of State Reps. Frank Attkisson (R-Kissimmee) and Darryl Rouson (D-St. Petersburg), the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR) today launched its “Give Me Five for Florida’s Future” grassroots campaign supporting passage of Amendment 5 in the general election on Nov. 4, 2008.
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Florida’s local governments face new requirements if they want to raise taxes
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – June 9, 2008 – Contrary to popular opinion, city and county governments cannot easily raise tax rates to make up for any income deficit created by January’s passage of Amendment 1. A local tax increase now requires approval by a super-majority of officials, and it must be called a “tax increase” if considered.
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Tax certificate sale fails to attract buyers
ORLANDO, Fla. – June 4, 2008 – For the first time ever, Central Florida governments couldn’t sell tax certificates at auction.
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Panel sends competing property tax cut plan to full commission
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – March 7, 2008 – A second major property tax-cutting proposal advanced Thursday in a commission that proposes state constitutional amendments, but only one is likely to go on the November ballot.
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Friday, Feb. 29: Deadline to apply for homestead exemption and tax portability
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Feb. 26, 2008 – Only three days remain: Friday is the deadline for homeowners to apply for a homestead exemption, and, for 2007 homebuyers, the last day to apply for property tax portability – the right to take tax savings from a home protected by Florida’s Save Our Homes amendment and transfer it to a home purchased last year.
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Voters say ‘Yes on 1’
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Jan. 30, 2008 –Realtors around the state expect buyers and sellers’ pent up demand to generate an immediate increase in home sales following passage yesterday of Amendment 1, which allows buyers to take their Save Our Homes tax savings with them when they move.
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Governor to Realtors: You’re about to make history
ORLANDO, Fla. – Jan. 25, 2008 – With green and orange “Vote Yes On 1” signs raised high, Florida Realtors greeted Gov. Charlie Crist this morning with a standing ovation, thanking Crist for his efforts to cut property taxes. The governor addressed Realtors attending the Florida Association of Realtors®’ (FAR) Mid-Winter Business Meetings in Orlando.
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Tax and budget reform panel approves McKay sales tax proposal
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Jan. 18, 2008 – A committee of the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission on Thursday gave first approval to a plan (CP 0002) that would mandate taxation of goods and services to buy down school property taxes, despite strong opposition from business groups concerned the measure would jeopardize Florida’s ability to compete for new business and industry.
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Crist continues to advocate passage of Amendment 1
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Jan. 14, 2008 – Governor Charlie Crist will spend a lot of time this week advocating passage of Amendment 1, the property tax reform proposal voters will consider on Jan. 29. The governor continues to visit families who will benefit from passage, and plans a promotional bus tour around the state on Wednesday.
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PROPERTY TAX AMENDMENT
“Yes on 1—Save our Homes NOW,” the FAR-supported campaign that advocates passage of the property tax amendment going before voters in January, recently unveiled a new Web commercial highlighting Orlando residents Keith and Elizabeth Markowitz.
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Florida Realtors continue efforts to support ‘Yes on 1’
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Dec. 20, 2007 – With the possibility of a tax break for businesses, some of Florida’s top real estate brokers and members of the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR) joined Gov. Charlie Crist in Tallahassee yesterday afternoon as a show of support for the property tax relief constitutional amendment voters will consider during the state’s primary election on January 29.
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Vote yes on 1
At a press conference this morning, Gov. Charlie Crist kicked off “Yes on 1 – Save Our Homes NOW,” a campaign to pass the property tax amendment in January.
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The latest version of property tax reform: How it works
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Nov. 1, 2007 – The Florida Legislature, caught in a game of “chicken,” approved a measure that will appear before voters on the Jan. 29, 2008, ballot. With time working against them, lawmakers agreed on a measure that scaled back earlier initiatives, and even current reforms pushed by the House.
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Florida Legislature passes property tax reform in time for January ballot
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Oct. 30, 2007 – It’s voters’ turn: The Florida Legislature passed property tax reform and a proposed amendment will appear on the January ballot. The amendment offers moderate relief for homeowners and slight relief for commercial property, but it does not go as far as an earlier House proposal. To become law, the proposal must still receive 60 percent of the votes in the Jan. 29, 2008, election.
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Florida House passes property tax reform legislation
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Oct. 23, 2007 – The Florida House passed a bipartisan property tax reform package yesterday by a 108-2 vote that addresses many issues important to Florida Realtors. House leaders consider the almost-unanimous vote an indication of that legislative body’s dedication to the plan. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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FAR issues Call-to-Action for property tax reform
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Oct. 17, 2007 – A Florida House committee approved significant property tax relief yesterday afternoon that creates a 3 percent assessment cap on non-homestead and commercial properties that the state currently offers only to homestead properties.
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FAR backs tax amendment and remains committed to quick relief for homeowners
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Sept. 26, 2007 – For the leadership of the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR) and Tallahassee staff, it’s steady as she goes in the fight for a property tax amendment on the January ballot – but there could be rough waters ahead.
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Judge removes property tax amendment from January ballot
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Sept. 25, 2007 – A Leon County circuit judge ruled yesterday that the Florida Legislature’s proposed property tax constitutional amendment is misleading, and he removed it from the Jan. 29 ballot. Weston Mayor Eric Hersh had challenged the amendment.
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Vote ‘Yes on 1’: FAR, Gov. Crist launch group supporting property tax amendment
TAMPA, Fla. – Sept. 18, 2007 – Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Gov. Charlie Crist, Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR) President Nancy Riley joined forces with other supporters Monday to launch a bi-partisan group, “Yes on 1 – Save our Homes NOW,” urging Floridians to vote for the largest tax cut in the state’s history on Jan. 29, 2008.
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Trim Down
Check it out – your property taxes probably went down. State residents will soon receive their “truth in millage” statements, or TRIM, that give property owners information on next year’s property taxes.
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Governor Crist to Realtors: ‘Get ready, Florida is on the move’
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Aug. 23, 2007 – Gov. Charlie Crist spoke to more than 800 Florida Realtors this morning at the 2007 Florida Association of Realtors (FAR) Convention & Trade Expo, thanking them for their leadership in supporting property tax reform efforts and urging them to spread the word to family, friends, neighbors, clients and throughout their communities to vote “Yes” on Jan. 29 for the proposed constitutional amendment.
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UF survey: Floridians not entirely sold on new property tax measure
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Aug. 22, 2007 – In January, Florida voters will consider amending the Florida Constitution to correct existing problems in the collection of property taxes – a change advocated by the Florida Association of Realtors®. According to the study, the amendment’s fate is “too close to call.”
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Saving ‘Save our homes’
A Florida circuit judge tossed out a challenge to Florida’s popular Save Our Homes (SOH) amendment on Monday, but the plaintiff’s lawyer says the fight will continue. Three residents of Alabama who own second homes in Florida are challenging SOH, saying it unfairly shifts the property tax burden to non-homesteaded owners and businesses, which is unconstitutional under U.S. law.
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County tax assessors say builder incentives increase property taxes
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Aug. 2, 2007 – If a builder gives away a $20,000 car to the buyer of a $300,000 home, should the actual value of the home – for property tax purposes – be reduced by $20,000 to $280,000? Two Florida county property appraisers think so.
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FAR pledges $1 million to support ballot referendum
ORLANDO – July 16, 2007 – When it comes to property tax reform, the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR), the largest trade group in the state with 150,000 members, means business.
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Carolyn King: Property-tax amendment spells relief
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – July 16, 2007 – Excessive property taxes are threatening to destroy the American dream of home and business ownership for many Floridians. Without question, we are facing a crisis. If citizens are not being taxed out of their homes, they are held captive. Also, there is ample evidence to suggest that people are starting to leave our state in significant numbers, citing skyrocketing property tax rates as a chief reason. This trend must change. Fast.
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Property Tax Reform
FAR supports the property tax reform amendment going before voters in January. It does two things to jumpstart the state’s sluggish home sales market: It provides substantial tax breaks for most first-time homebuyers, and it begins to address the “locked-in” effect felt by long-term homeowners who cannot afford to move – even to downsize – because they would be forced to pay substantially higher property taxes.
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Justices send property tax ballot question to circuit court
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – July 12, 2007 – The state Supreme Court sent to a lower court Thursday a question over whether a proposed property tax initiative can go on the January ballot.
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After the Florida Legislature passed its tax bill last week, brokers go to work
MIAMI – June 18, 2007 – Within an hour after the Florida Legislature passed its tax bill Thursday evening, Mark Zilbert went to work. The South Beach real estate broker sent an e-mail blast to 50,000 potential buyers with the tax changes – and condominiums for sale.
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Property tax relief approved as Florida Legislature adjourns
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – June 15, 2007 – The end came quickly for the 2007 Florida Legislature’s special session on property taxes with an agreement that would give current homesteaders a choice between their Save Our Homes benefits or a new super-homestead exemption. The Legislature adjourned at 6:28 p.m. yesterday, with the House and Senate passing three bills – an immediate statutory rollback and cap of property tax rates, a proposed constitutional amendment creating a super-homestead exemption that, under the third bill, will be considered by voters on Jan. 29, 2008, in conjunction with the state’s presidential preference primary.
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FAR: Property tax reform does not go far enough
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – June 14, 2007 – The Florida Legislature could vote as early as today on its property tax reform plan. The Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR) issued a Call-to-Action earlier today, asking Realtors to tell their lawmakers that the proposal does not go far enough.
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Florida Legislature says it has reached agreement on property tax reform
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – June 11, 2007 – We have a deal. Senate President Ken Pruitt (R-Port St. Lucie) and House Speaker Marco Rubio (R-Miami) announced that they’ve reached an agreement to cut property taxes in Florida.
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Florida Legislature may agree on method of property tax reform
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – May 17, 2007 – While a House-Senate committee discussing Florida property values has not reached any conclusions, negotiators said yesterday they’ve tentatively agreed on a method to use – expand existing exemptions, such as homestead, and create new ones for non-homesteaded properties.
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Florida House to consider tiered property tax plan
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – May 11, 2007 – In an opinion piece published today in The Orlando Sentinel newspaper, Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio signaled a shift in the House’s approach to property tax reform, introducing the concept of a homestead exemption based on a home’s value.
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2007 Florida Legislature wraps up regular session today
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – May 4, 2007 – And so it ends. This year’s regular session wraps up today, and while lawmakers could stay late, it’s just as likely that they’ll disband earlier. While the state’s high-profile real estate issue – property tax reform – has been postponed until June, a handful of real estate-related proposals moved forward yesterday.
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Realtors note advantages to tax reform’s special session
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – May 3, 2007 – Realtors want property tax reform as soon as possible – yesterday would have been great – but they also want it done right, and a one-month waiting period leading to a special session of the Florida Legislature gives lawmakers time to consider the complicated issue. It also gives Realtors an opportunity to meet their lawmakers locally and push for positive and substantial change. Everyone agrees that it’s important to get it right the first time, notably since some changes would have to go to voters as a proposed constitutional amendment.
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Crist: Tax relief will come before session ends
Crist: Tax relief will come before session ends
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – April 25, 2007 – Gov. Charlie Crist told tax-weary South Floridians on Tuesday that relief is just days away.
“This is sweeping change we are talking about,” Crist told hundreds of residents during a town hall meeting in Palm Beach Gardens. “Republicans and Democrats are working together to do what’s right for Floridians and that’s important. ... It’s got to happen. It’s got to be soon, and it’s got to be right.”
Crist couldn’t promise how much of a tax rollback there will be, how homestead exemptions will be expanded or how Save Our Homes benefits will be made portable. But he assured people that by the time the session is over, there will be a change.
Crist also sided with the people against their county and city governments, whose revenues he said have “exploded” in recent years.
“The county government ain’t a bank. That’s your money, and they should give it back to you,” Crist said. “I understand they want to be ready for a rainy day, but you’ve got a rainy day right now.”
SOURCE: Dianna Cahn, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
©FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
Topics: Legislature, property taxes
Audience: GADs
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FAR’s Great American Realtor Days kicks off in Tallahassee
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – April 11, 2007 – More than 1,000 Realtors traveled to Tallahassee yesterday for the Florida Association of Realtors®’ (FAR) 2007 Great American Realtor Days’ events. In a coordinated effort with local boards and associations, FAR members started meeting with their local senators and representatives on property tax reform, affordable housing, property insurance and other housing issues. The event continues through today. |
© 2009 Florida Realtors®