“Ask Lori…Parrish on Appraisal” - Homestead Fraud

Broward County Property Appraiser Lori Parrish Answers Your Questions…

“Report Homestead Exemption Fraud”

Dear Lori:

I’m a President of my Homeowners Association and concerned about homeowners who are fraudulently claiming Homestead Exemption on second homes and investment properties.  I live locally and want to help.  How can I report these abuses and help our community collect the much needed funds and still remain anonymous?

P.I., Fort Lauderdale, FL (via email)

Property owners who file false applications to obtain a Homestead Exemption are breaking the law and causing you to pay more in property taxes each year.  Why?  Because your various taxing authorities, such as the County, City and School Board, must divide the tax burden among all property owners within their jurisdictions in order to provide services such as police, fire, and schools.  If someone lies to lower his or her taxes, someone else must pay more to make up the difference.

In order for property owners to be eligible for Homestead Exemption, their Florida property must be their permanent residence, the property cannot be rented out.  Neither the owners or their spouses may receive residency based benefits on any other property.

Our office aggressively seeks to stop Homestead fraud and catch homeowners in Broward who are fraudulently claiming a Homestead Exemption on their properties. We work with local governments, homeowner and civic associations to help identify exemption fraud. We also rely on anonymous phone and mail tips about potential Homestead fraud.

If you know of anyone claiming Homestead Exemption on a property which is not their primary residence, we urge you to contact our Department of Professional Standards and Compliance at 954.357.6900 or http://www.bcpa.net/fraudform.asp and we’ll check it out.  You are free to provide your contact information or remain completely anonymous when reporting potentially fraudulent activity to our office. To report fraud anonymously, please use our online reporting form and simply leave your name and contact information blank.

Pursuant to Sections 193.155 (9) and 196.161 of the Florida Statutes, property owners who fraudulently obtain a Homestead Exemption can be back taxed for as many as ten years, plus be required to pay substantial penalty and annual interest (50% of the unpaid taxes for each year and pay interest at a rate of 15% per year). 

Sincerely,

Lori Parrish, CFA

If you have a question for Lori, please email her at lori@bcpa.net or write to her at the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office, 115 South Andrews Avenue, Room 111, and Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.  (09/16)

Robert L. Wolfe, Jr. CFE
Community Outreach Specialist II
954.357.6871 – office
954.357.8474 – fax
954.445.5732 – cell

rwolfe@bcpa.net

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