Property Appraiser News - Veterans

 

Veterans Receiving the Full Exemption for Service-Connected

Total and Permanent Disability May Be Eligible for a Refund

While refund requirements are very specific, a recent change in Florida law allows for certain veterans to receive a property tax refund. Some property owners receiving the Full Veteran’s Exemption for Total and Permanent Service-Connected Disability may be eligible for a refund on their new homesteaded property’s taxes. Effective beginning in tax year 2021, homesteaded property owners receiving the Full Veteran’s Exemption for Total and Permanent Service Connected Disability on a newly acquired Florida property - who also received the Full Exemption for Total and Permanent Service Connected Disability on another Florida property in the immediately preceding tax year - may be eligible to receive a refund of the ad valorem taxes paid for the newly acquired property in the year the property is acquired, prorated as of the date of transfer of ownership.

If you believe you are eligible to receive this prorated refund, please contact our office at (954) 357-6035 or email us at CSEmgmt@bcpa.net

BCPA Outreach Returning to Governmental Center West

Our Mobile Exemption & Information Team has returned to the Governmental Center West located at 1 North University Drive in Plantation on Wednesdays from 12:00pm – 2:00pm. Our staff is available to assist residents with filing for any exemption and is available to answer any property questions you may have. To view all our upcoming events, please visit https://web.bcpa.net/ExemptionsExpress/calendar

To schedule a virtual visit from the safety of your home, please visit our website at https://web.bcpa.net/virtualvisits

The absolute deadline for applying for any 2021 exemption is September 20, 2021.

If my office can ever be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at (954) 357-6904 or by email at martykiar@bcpa.net

Take care,

Marty Kiar

Broward County Property Appraiser

115 S. Andrews Ave., Room 111, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, United States

www.bcpa.net | martykiar@bcpa.net

Property tax help: +1 (954) 357-6830

CPCA General Meeting February/ March 2021

 Croissant Park Civic Association General Meeting

February/March 2021

Hello Croissant Park Neighbors,

—A Zoom meeting hosted by our President Pat was attended by Board members Michelle, Rhonda, Jodi, Joe, Larry and Virginia. We had a total of ten attendees.

—FLPD Officer Eric Petrol provided us with the Croissant Park crime report from January to March 2021. There were 6 car burglaries, all in unlocked cars.  3 residential burglaries which included jalousie windows as a point of entry, a side door in a carport as a point of entry, and a bicycle taken from a shed on the property. 3 petty larcenies. Ofc. Petrol said “no shootings in CP neighborhood, while the rest of the City is blowing up”.  All in all, we have an excellent low crime area. He offers reminders that we need to remember to lock our cars.  Also, jalousie windows provide the easiest entry into our homes.   Someone asked about the Wells Fargo Bank incident on S.R. 84 The City of Fort Lauderdale has passed a a few months back. There was gunfire but I did not get the details to put in this report.  Ofc. Pekrol mentioned that most bank robberies occur in “bank follow-outs”, that is when the bad guy follows a bank customer out after making a withdrawal.  Be extra careful, be vigilant. Our crime report team of officers will be working the beach for Spring Break.  They will still respond if you need them.

—We are in the process of bringing our CPCA By-Laws up to date, making some needed changes, namely adding the necessity of conducting our General and Board meetings on Zoom for as long as needed. We hope to have the amended By-Laws available for the members of the Association to vote to approve them at our next meeting in May.  Stay tuned.

—The City of Fort Lauderdale has passed an ordinance requiring landlords to register their name and rental property addresses on a website. Pat is against this ordinance because she believes it is over- reaching.  However, they do need to enforce the ordinances regarding short-term vacation-type rentals.  AirBnB and the like are promoting different systems depending on the various cities, because of the differences from one city to the next. They want to see individual cities enforcing their own jurisdictions, rather than State enforcement.

—Someone asked about the big building being built behind the new fire station.  It happens to be the “affordable housing” that was proposed to our Association over a year ago. One of our Association members, Greg McA, a land-use attorney, has said that we should expect to see more affordable housing coming our way.

—We have all become aware of the danger for pedestrians who attempt to walk on SW 15th Street heading east from 4th Avenue.  There are no sidewalks and the auto body/repair shops just west of the RR tracks park their customers’ cars on the shoulder, forcing pedestrians to walk in the traveled roadway.  

—Our next CPCA General meeting will be the last Tuesday of May. We don’t know yet whether it will be a Zoom meeting or back in our regular spot at the Community Center.  Stay tuned for an announcement. 

--Don't forget to post your photos for the Pet Pandemic Photo Contest!  We will decide the winners at the May meeting.

—Minutes by Virginia, Secy.

Property Appraiser Newsletter - Feb 2021 'PORTABILITY & SENIOR EXEMPTION'

Timeframe to Use Portability Extended

Portability allows eligible Homesteaded property owners to pay less in property taxes on their new home by moving their “Save Our Homes” savings (up to $500,000) from one Florida property to another Florida property when establishing Homestead Exemption on the new property. Beginning with property owners who establish a new Homestead Exemption for tax year 2021, applicants may now transfer portability savings from a Homestead Exemption held in any of the three immediately preceding tax years. To be eligible to move this SOH benefit, the new property must receive Homestead Exemption within three tax years – not calendar years – of the “abandonment” of the Homestead Exemption at the previous property.

Note: Homestead Exemption and Portability do not automatically transfer. You must apply for Homestead Exemption on the new property and submit a Portability application. Portability does not require you sell your previous home, but merely for you to no longer receive the Homestead Exemption on it.

Additional information about Portability can be found on our website at web.bcpa.net

Annual Senior Exemption Renewal

If you received the Senior Exemption in 2020, you will be receiving your Senior Exemption Renewal Card in the mail this month. Florida law requires you to renew this exemption annually as it is an income-based exemption. To receive this valuable exemption for 2021, you must sign and return the yellow postcard renewal notice to our office by September 20, 2021. The signed copy of your renewal card can be emailed to Homestead@bcpa.net or faxed to (954)357-6188 or mailed to our office. You can also renew your Senior Exemption online at web.bcpa.net/renew

If you did not receive the Senior Exemption for 2020 and you believe you may qualify, please visit our website at web.bcpa.net and click on the “Senior Exemption” icon to view this exemption and all the other exemptions available to qualified applicants. You can also apply online at https://web.bcpa.net/bcpaclient/#/SeniorsAppForm The deadline to apply for any 2021 exemption is September 20, 2021.

Virtual Visits

If you prefer face-to-face communication, you can meet with one of our team members virtually. To schedule an appointment, please call 954-357-5579 or email ExemptionExpress@bcpa.net

If my office can ever be of assistance to you, please call us at (954)357-6830 or email me directly at martykiar@bcpa.net

Take care,

Marty Kiar
Broward County Property Appraiser

Broward County Property Appraiser

115 S. Andrews Ave., Room 111, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, United States

www.bcpa.net | martykiar@bcpa.net

Property tax help: +1 (954) 357-6830

Property Appraiser News - December 2020 - Homestead

 

DOES MY HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION AUTOMATICALLY RENEW?

 

After your initial application for Homestead Exemption has been approved, it automatically renews each year unless there is a change of ownership or eligible use of your homesteaded property.  Each January, our office mails a Homestead Renewal Notice and “Change Card” to all Homesteaded properties.  Florida law requires the property owner to notify the Property Appraiser of any change which may affect homestead eligibility. This Change Order Card provides an efficient way to communicate these important changes to our office.

 

If there are NO changes to the use and/or ownership of your property, simply keep the card as your receipt verifying that your Homestead Exemption has automatically renewed for another year.  However, if there are changes, please mark the Change Card accordingly and return it to our office. 

 

If your name is not printed on this card, it means you are not protected by Homestead Exemption at this property.  You may be on title to the property, but you are not receiving Homestead Exemption.

 

If you are a co-owner, surviving spouse, trust beneficiary or otherwise believe you are entitled to this exemption, you must file your own Homestead Exemption application to receive the benefit. If you have any questions relating to the death of the owner, the Change Card or need assistance in filing for Homestead or other tax-saving exemptions, please visit our website at web.bcpa.net or contact our Customer Service Department at 954-357-6830.

 

There are many other tax-saving exemptions available to qualified individuals.  These exemptions and the specific requirements are available on our website at web.bcpa.net

 

WHERE DID MY PORTABILITY SAVINGS GO?

 

A portability deduction is only posted to your property record page in the first year you receive your new Homestead Exemption. The portability savings from the first year form the basis of your new Save Our Homes value on a going forward basis and -- in subsequent years -- will rise or fall based upon market just value changes and the 3% cap, as your new Save Our Homes value has incorporated your portability savings. When our website is updated to display subsequent year property values, your portability deduction is no longer shown independently because it is already factored into your new Save Our Homes value.

    

If my office can ever be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at 954-357-6904 or by email at martykiar@bcpa.net.

Take care,

Marty Kiar, CFA

 

 

Robert L. Wolfe, Jr. CFE Mobile Exemption and Information Team – Specialist II Office of Marty Kiar Broward County Property Appraiser 115 S. Andrews Ave, Room 111 Ft. Lauderdale, FL  33301 P 954-357-6871 | E rwolfe@bcpa.net  | www.bcpa.net   Follow our office at  http://www.facebook.com/MartyKiarBCPA and http://www.twitter.com/MartyKiarBCPA

CPCA General Meeting September 2020

 September 2020 Croissant Park Civic Association general meeting

Greetings, Croissant Park neighbors,

—Our Zoom meeting was attended by all the Board members and 16 Croissant Park neighbors.  That’s our best turnout yet!

—The 2021 Board of Directors slate was approved by a majority of those attending the meeting.  The Board members are Pat Rathburn, Michelle DiMaria, Joe Russell, Rhonda Kramer, Heather Cunniff, Jodi Perraud, Virginia Russell, and our newest member Larry Jackson.

—We invited the two candidates who are running for Fort Lauderdale Mayor, Ken Cooper and Mayor Dean Trantalis.  Both candidates spoke about the issues that continue to plague our City—homelessness, sewer spills, new buildings, traffic, clean water and waterways and sober homes.

—Our next speaker was Jenni Morejon from the  Downtown Development Association (DDA).  The new Federal Courthouse building will be located off of 3rd Avenue, south of the New River, near Huizenga Park.  Other new government buildings will be built on the bus terminal property.

—A dognapping incident occurred a few nights ago on 16th Court.  Neighbors turned out to assist and the dog was returned before the police arrived.

—The big blue USPS mailbox next to Sunshine Cathedral on SW14th Court was tampered with and the local main post office has taped it up to prevent anyone using it to mail letters or ballots.

—Speaking of ballots, we are 5 days out from Election Day on Tuesday, November 3rd.  It is too late to mail your mail-in ballot but it is NOT too late to take your ballot to the Government Building drop box located on SW1st Ave. and  Brickell Ave.  You can also safely drop your mail-in ballot at ArtServe on N. Federal Hwy. You can also vote early in-person at various locations and if Election Day rolls around and you haven’t voted yet, go to your local precinct, probably at the Croissant Park Elementary School on SW 4th Avenue and 17th Street to vote in person, just like the old days.  Remember to bring a valid picture ID.

—Minutes by Virginia

Browrd County Property Appraiser's October Newsletter

Amendments on November's Ballot for Property Owners If approved by Florida voters, Amendment 5 would extend the time frame for property owners to use any portability they may have from two tax years to three tax years. Portability is the difference between a property's just value and the assessed/Save Our Homes (SOH) value. This portability amount may be transferred when a property owner moves from their homesteaded property and established a new Homestead on another property. Portability allows the owner to transfer or “port” the homestead assessment difference to the new home anywhere in Florida. This portability amount lowers the assessed/SOH value on the new home and helps lower the subsequent property taxes. Currently, the law requires a homeowner to use this homestead benefit within two tax years which is not always a full two calendar years. Our office must look at the status of the property on January 1 of each year meaning a property owner may not have a full two calendar years to use this important savings. If approved, this amendment would extend the time you may use portability to three tax years. For more information about portability, please visit our website at https://web.bcpa.net/bcpaclient/#/PortabilityExemption Another amendment on this November's ballot is Amendment 6. This amendment would provide a homestead tax discount for the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran who had permanent, combat-related disabilities. There are several exemptions for Florida veterans and all of them transfer to the surviving spouses upon the veteran's death except this one exemption. Amendment 6 would allow the surviving spouse to continue receiving the veteran's exemption. Broward County Tax Collector's Office to Mail Tax Bills in November The Property Appraiser's Office does not set or collect property taxes. We simply assess property and grant exemptions to qualified individuals. The Broward County Tax Collector's Office will mail the 2020 property tax bills by November 1, 2020 along with payment information. If your escrow company requests your tax bill, the Tax Collector will send you a courtesy copy of the bill in mid-November. All property tax bills are posted to their website at https://broward.county-taxes.com/public on November 1. Should you have any questions about the payment of taxes, please contact them at (954)831-4000. If my office can ever be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at (954)357-6904 or by email at martykiar@bcpa.net Take care, Marty Kiar Broward County Property Appraiser

September 2020 CPCA General Meeting

 CPCA General Meeting September 2020

Greetings Croissant Park Neighbors,

—Our Zoom meeting on September 29^th was hosted by Association president Pat Rathburn. All Board members were in attendance, including Michelle DiMaria, Rhonda Kramer, Joe Russell, Heather Cunniff, Jodi Perraud and Virginia Russell.

—FLPD Officer Rodriguez joined our meeting tonight to give us the Neighborhood Crime Team report.  For the period from August 29^th to September 29^th we had only one residential burglary, due to a domestic issue.  According to Ofc.  Rodriguez, the low crime occurrence during this period is probably due to COVID-19 quarantine effects.  An interesting and welcome outcome to our many months of lockdown.

—Michelle invited Denise Elliot from the League of Women Voters to present the League’s very practical Power Point that guided us through the many Constitutional Amendments, Broward County and State  issues on the General Election Ballot for the November 3^rd election.  

-The last day to register to vote is October 5^th.   Vote by mail is available and the ballots are being mailed now.  There are several drop boxes available city-wide for your ballot as of October 24^th.  If you mail your ballot it must be RECEIVED by November 3^rd, NOT JUST POSTMARKED by then.  Mail early!!

-You can track your ballot by name  and birthdate at www.browardsoe.org to make sure it has been received.

-Early voting will be available from October 19^th to November 1^st at 22 sites city-wide.  You will need a picture ID and proof of signature, preferably the same ID

-Of course, you can still vote at your local precinct listed on your voter info card.  Croissant Park Elementary School is our precinct.  You will need your picture ID and proof signature, preferably the same ID.

-All of this info is included at VOTE 411 (Google it). If you have a problem voting you can report it to 1-866 OUR-VOTE.  

—At our October CPCA General meeting we will be voting for the slate of CPCA Board nominees for 2021. This year the slate includes Pat Rathburn, Michelle DiMaria, Joe Russell, Rhonda Kramer, Jodi Perraud, Heather Cunniff, Virginia Russell and Larry Jackson. We gladly encourage additional nominations from the CPCA membership. Help us to enrich our way of life here in Croissant Park.

—See you October.  If we Zoom the meeting you will receive an email to log on to the Zoom.

Minutes by Virginia-Secy.