“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

Follow our office at:  http://www.facebook.com/propertyappraiser and http://twitter.com/loriparrish

“Ask Lori…Parrish on Appraisal” May 2016

Broward County Property Appraiser Lori Parrish Answers Your Questions…

“Property Tax Related Ballot Measures for 2016!”

Dear Lori:

I read in the Sun-Sentinel that the State Legislature passed a few property tax related measures that will appear in our election ballot this year.  How and where can I obtain some information regarding these proposals?

S.G., Fort Lauderdale, FL (via email)

Everything related to property taxation in Florida originates in the State Constitution and the Laws of Florida.  Changes to the Florida Constitution require an amendment proposed by a joint resolution of the Florida Legislature, citizens’ initiative process, constitutional revision commission, or taxation and budget commission.  Proposed amendments appear on the ballot and require 60% approval from the voters to pass and become law (Florida Constitution, Article XI, Section 5(e).

This legislative session, the Florida Legislature approved three different questions relating to property taxation will appear on our 2016 ballots.  On August 30, 2016, the first ballot question will be Amendment 4 - Florida Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy.  The measure would exempt the value of solar energy devices in commercial and industrial properties from taxation.  The tax exemption would begin in 2018 and continue for 20 years.  Florida currently has a similar measure for residential property, but this would expand the provision to commercial properties.  The Broward County Property Appraiser’s office does not value renewable energy source devices as real property improvements.

The final two questions will appear on the November 8, 2016 general election ballot.  Amendment 3, the Florida Tax Exemption for First Responders Measure, would authorize a first responder, who is totally and permanently disabled as a result of injuries sustained in the line of duty, to receive a full exemption of ad valorem taxes assessed on his/her Homestead property.  Currently, this type of property tax relief is applicable only to surviving spouses of first responders or members of the military who have died in the line of duty.

The final question, which will also appear on the November 8, 2016 ballot is Amendment 5, the Florida Property Tax Break for Senior Citizens Measure. Under current Florida Law cities and counties may offer a Long Term Low-Income Senior Exemption equal to the assessed value of the property to any senior aged 65 or over; whose homesteaded property has a just value of less than $250,000; and has been his/her permanent residence for at least 25 years; and whose household adjusted gross income does not exceed $28,482.  Amendment 5 simply amends the existing Long-Term Low Income Senior Exemption to allow the senior to continue receiving the exemption even if his/her property’s just value rises above $250,000 due to either changes in the market or because of additions or improvements made to the property.  Currently five cities in Broward County offer the Long-Term Low Income Senior’s Additional Homestead Exemption.  These cities are Miramar, Oakland Park, Pompano Beach, Dania Beach and Sunrise.

For further information on these questions and other changes to state law, please visit our website at www.bcpa.net and “click” on the “Legislative” page, 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.  (5/16)

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

rwolfe@bcpa.net

Follow our office at:  http://www.facebook.com/propertyappraiser and http://twitter.com/loriparrish

VISION ZERO: SAFER STREETS FOR FORT LAUDERDALE

http://www.fortlauderdale.gov/departments/transportation-and-mobility/vision-zero-2851

February 2016- Neighborhood Meeting

February 2016-Neighborhood Meeting

Hi Neighbors,

The meeting tonight began with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:05. Because it was “Cupcake Night” everyone was encouraged to help themselves to the array of different kinds of cupcakes baked by members and a cup of coffee or soft drink.

Our first speaker was FLPD Officer Fernandez with the crime report for January and part of February.  There were two residential burglaries in the 800 block of 12th Court, two houses next to each other. Entrance was obtained by prying open the back door on one of the houses.  There were three vehicle burglaries, two of which were in the cemetery and one in the 400 block of 20th Street.  All three were unlocked cars with items in plain view, one car’s windows were down with a purse on the seat.  All in all, our crime statistics are staying low compared to other parts of the City.  Someone asked why a Broward Sheriff vehicle was in our area recently.  None of the officers at the meeting knew but said it was probably a BSO Task Force Unit that was following up on a lead.

Our next speaker was Alan Dodd with Ft. Lauderdale Public Works Department who presented us with architectural renderings of the future Fire Station 8 that will be built east of the railroad tracks on SW 1st Ave and just south of SW 17th Street.  The future station will not have a multi-purpose Community Room  due to lack of sufficient funds and lack of space in the facility that will be housing a HazMat vehicle, fire trucks and equipment, and all personnel from other stations in the event of beach evacuations during a hurricane.  The station is still in the design phase, to be completed by fall. Bidding for the contract will be in January 2017, and constructed by 2018.  A question was raised about the need for another fire station so close to Station 3 south of SR 84 on SW 4th Ave. Fire Chief Hoecherl answered by telling us that there are too many calls for Sta. 3 to answer in the optimum time of 6 minutes, presently.  There is also a need for a fire station on the east side of the railroad tracks due to the increase in trains that is in our future.  

A visually-impaired neighbor asked Alan Dodd with Public Works if he knew of any plans for audible crosswalks in the near future.  Mr. Dodd advised him to contact the Transportation & Mobility Department for that information.

The 50/50 raffle was won by Paul Ruble, who promptly gave his winnings back to the Association.  Thank you, Paul.

Our next Neighborhood meeting will be May 24th.  Hope to see you then.

Minutes by Virginia-Secretary

January 2016 Neighborhood Meeting and Potluck Supper

Hey C.P. Neighbors,

Happy 2016!  Wowza, what a turn out for the Pot Luck Supper meeting!  We had well over 50 attendees and a ton of scrumptious food.  The meeting kicked off with the Pledge of Allegiance led by one of our new Board members, Jodi Perraud.  She and our other new Board member Nicohle Kallio were introduced to the neighbors; we are so glad to welcome these ladies to the Board.  The 2016 CPCA Board is as follows:

Pat Rathburn- President, Michelle DiMaria- V.P., Joe Russell-Treasurer, Virginia Dill Russell-Secretary.   Directors: Rhonda Kramer, Heather Cunniff, Beth Falkenhagen, Nicohle Kallio and Jodi Perraud.

Officer Fernandez from FLPD gave us our crime report for the period of November through December 2015. We had 2 residential burglaries and 1 attempt, 2 stolen vehicles, 5 vehicle break-ins, 3 were in unlocked cars.  One vehicle break-in was in the cemetery and the perp was caught.  In another of the vehicle burglaries a gun was stolen but the gun was subsequently recovered. Nice work FLPD.  All in all, Officer Fernandez told us that compared to City-wide crime, our stats are low and we are doing very well.  A question was raised about the drug Flakka and we were told that a local detective who was sent to China reported that it has now become illegal there to manufacture the drug and many of the factories are being shut down. There should be less and less of the drug on the streets here as China tightens their laws.

Our speaker tonight was Commissioner Romney Rogers, who was accompanied by City Manager Lee Feldman, Asst. City Attorney D’Wayne Spence, Zoning Administrator Anthony Fajardo , John Ruttino with Broward County.  The format tonight was a Q and A session, with neighbors writing their questions on an index card, which Pat then presented to Comm. Rogers.  

Question 1: who is responsible for the repair of sidewalks in front of our homes? Answer: the homeowner is responsible, but the City pays “trip and fall” lawsuits.  If you hire the City to do your sidewalk, you can pay the cost over 10 years, which makes its easier on the pocketbook.  And, they will do a great job because that’s all they do.

Question 2: Northbound 3rd Ave. near the bridge has a 25 MPH painted on the paved roadway.  Could we do that here in Croissant Park to help alleviate the speeding problem? Answer: The County must approve it.  Lee Feldman says to let him know which streets, he will forward info to John Ruttino.  

Question 3: Can we get some kind of ruling on new buildings that have garage doors fronting the street, front doors on sides of homes that are built to property lines and some better rules for providing sufficient parking.  We have made our requests for these items clear for several years.  Answer: Anthony Fajardo with Zoning tells us “it is still on the list.  It takes time to revise zoning.  It is a low priority.”  Regarding cluster homes ordinance: Pat reminds Mr. Fajardo that they were to be an exception only, but have become the norm and to please take that into consideration.
Question 4: How long does an “open permit” last?  We have new structures in the neighborhood that remain unfinished and consequently, off the tax rolls. Answer: They have 180 days with a valid permit and when they commence activity the 180 days starts over. Let Zoning know which properties we think might be violating the rules. 

Question 5: Why are Vacation Rentals treated differently than Sober Homes and Crew Houses?  Answer:  These are complicated issues that fall under the purview of ADA (American Disabilities Act) and FHA (Fair Housing Act) and to make changes we will need to appeal to the State Legislature and higher up.  “It won’t change without pressure”.  The suggestion is to write to our Congresswoman Lois Frankel at https://frankel.house.gov. You can also use Twitter, Facebook, or the old-fashioned way: Washington, DC Office:1037 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515,(202) 225-9890.  Boca Raton Office: 2500 N. Military Trail, Ste. 490, Boca Raton, FL 33431, (561) 998-9045 (866) 264-0957  fax (561)998-9048.

Question 6:  How many parking spaces are aloud per house/unit?  Answer: 2 per unit. 

Question 7:  SW 22nd Street has a gravel road that trucks cut through to SR 84. Answer:  It is illegal for the trucks to use that road, call the non-emergency police department number (954) 764-HELP (4357) to report these trucks.  Get a license plate if you can.  

Question 8:  Is it legal for Realtors to leave their signs in yards even when the house is rented or sold?  Answer: It is NOT a Code violation.  

Question 9:  What can we do when cars are illegally parked on sidewalks?  It usually happens at night when Code is not out to see the infraction.  Answer:  Call the non-emergency police phone number (954) 764-HELP (4357).  Hey everybody-put this number in your contacts list on your phones.  Apparently it a very handy number!!

Question 10:  How hard would it be to re-zone our neighborhood to better reflect single family zoning?  Answer: 60% of the neighborhood in agreement is necessary to get the ball rolling, followed by many hearings.  The process requires a big effort on the part of the residents.

Question 11:  This is more of a comment on the Rustic Manors building in the vicinity of Broward General Hospital.  It is under investigation regarding their right to provide housing for clients of their Pompano Beach treatment center.  Under the Social Services Residential Facility (SSRF)regulations they can house their clients there if they complete the proper application process. 

Question 12: How can we report if we suspect a home is renting to transients on a regular basis?  Answer: code@fortlauderdale.gov or call Lee Feldman’s office at (954) 828-5013.

Question 13:  Why does it take Code Enforcement so long to enforce code when there is unpermitted building occurring such as bedroom/bathroom add-ons on my street? Between my neighbor and I, we called Code several times to no avail.  Answer:  They will look into it.  In the meantime, we, the residents, are the eyes and ears, please report what you see to the relevant agencies.

Millie Porter won the raffle prize tonight of a brand-new 30-cup coffee urn.  I guess that means you’ll be having some big meetings at your house, Millie. 

The winners of the red  ‘Drive Like Your Kids Live Here’ signs were Sandy McClung, Chris Kallio, Joe Russell and Kathy Bower.  Pat Rathburn won the 50/50 raffle and donated her winnings back to the Association.

Meeting adjourned at 8:50-ish.

Photos by Rhonda

Winners of the 2015 Holiday Lights contest

Minutes by Virginia