Broward County Property Appraiser Lori Parrish Answers Your Questions…

“Low Income Senior Exemption Benefits Increase for 2017!”

Dear Lori:

My local newspaper reported our Senior Exemption benefits might increase next year?  Is this true and how do we apply?

P.K., Pompano Beach, FL (via email)

Broward County low income senior homeowners are in store for an added property tax break beginning in 2017 as the Broward County Commission recently approved up to an additional $25,000 Homestead Exemption for homeowners sixty-five years of age or older with a household income $28,482 a year or less (based on 2016 income limitation).  The increase will boost the maximum Low-Income Senior Additional Homestead Exemption from $25,000 to $50,000 for the Broward County Commission portion of the tax bill.

Approximately 22,000 Broward County seniors currently receive the Low-Income Senior Additional Homestead Exemption and some will qualify for the extra property tax reduction which carries an additional savings of up to $142 based upon the valuation of the property.  Please keep in mind this savings applies only to the Broward County Commission portion of your property tax bill.

If you currently qualify for and receive the Low Income Senior Additional Homestead Exemption all you will need to do is return your senior renewal notice postcard in 2017 which will be sent to you in late January 2017.  The Senior Low-Income Additional Homestead Exemption – which applies only to the county and city portion of the taxes – saves the average Broward senior nearly $300 each year.  This exemption must be renewed annually. For seniors who received this exemption in 2016, the renewal process simply requires them to sign and return the renewal post card to our office.  In order to qualify for a new 2017 Low-Income Senior Exemption, an applicant must be 65 years of age or older as of January 1, 2017 and have a combined household adjusted gross income for 2016 not exceeding $28,482  (This amount is based on the 2016 income limitation and will be adjusted for 2017). If you or anyone you know qualifies for this exemption, please follow the easy filing steps listed below:

If You File An Income Tax Return:

1.      Complete Part (1) of the Sworn Statement of Adjusted Gross Income of Household.

2.      Complete the Certification section of the Sworn Statement of Adjusted Gross Income of Household (located at the bottom of page 1).

3.      Submit the Sworn Statement of Adjusted Gross Income of Household to our office on or before the March 1, 2017 Deadline.

4.      Submit a copy of your 2016 Income Tax Return Form 1040 for all persons residing in your home (excluding renters and boarders) to our office no later than June 1, 2017.

If You Do Not File An Income Tax Return:

1.      Complete Parts (1) and (3) including the statement of income located on page 2 of the Sworn Statement of Adjusted Gross Income of Household.

2.      Complete the Certification section of the Sworn Statement of Adjusted Gross Income of Household (located at the bottom of page 1).

3.      Complete Lines 1 – 4 of the IRS Form 4506-T and sign the form.

4.      Submit the Sworn Statement of Adjusted Gross Income of Household, proof of age, and IRS Form 4506-T to our office on or before the March 1, 2017 Deadline.

5.      Submit a copy of your 2016 Social Security Statement (SSA 1099) to our office by June 1, 2017.

The cities of Miramar, Oakland Park, Pompano Beach, Sunrise, Dania Beach and Pembroke Pines have approved a Long-Term Residency Low-Income Senior Exemption which applies to the city portion of the ad valorem property tax bill for qualified seniors.  Other cities have until December 1^st to provide our office with an adopted ordinance if they choose to enact this for tax year 2017.  This exemption is only available to homeowners who qualify for the Senior Low-Income Exemption and (1) own a home with a market value less than $250,000, and (2) lived in the home for at least 25 years.  If your municipality is not on this list, you are not receiving the full savings allowed under this law.  Let them know of your strong support for the adoption of the Senior Homestead enabling ordinance for the taxpayers in your city.

Our office staff will be happy to help you obtain and complete the necessary forms.  For more information about the Low-Income Senior Exemption, and Long-Term Senior Exemption or to obtain the necessary forms, please visit our website at www.bcpa.net or contact our Customer Service Department at 954.357.6830.

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, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.  (11/16)

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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