Yes. Eligibility for “Save Our Homes” has not changed.

No. All persons who are qualified to receive the regular Homestead Exemption will automatically receive the new additional Homestead Exemption as long as their home is assessed on the tax rolls for more than $50,000. The new exemption is applied on home valuations between $50,000 and $75,000. So, in order to receive the full benefit, your home needs to be assessed for $75,000 or higher.

Similiar to the Save Our Homes 3% cap on Homesteaded Assessments, Amendment 1 created a 10% cap on Non-Homesteaded Assessments.

"Non-Homesteaded Property" is all properties other than those receiving a homestead exemption; such as 2nd homes, vacation homes, vacant land, commercial and rental properties. However the limitation does not apply to classified lands such as greenbelt, high water recharge and noncommercial recreational.

The 10% cap will only ensure your assessed value does not increase more than 10% from your previous year's certified assessed value providing the ownership has not changed, there was not a split or combination of the lot in the previous year, or new construction has not occured. We cannot say if this will actually reduce your taxes due to other factors such as millage rates and non ad-valorem assessments which are not determined by the Property Appraiser.

The 10% Limitation applies to all taxing districts except the School District

No, the 10% cap is simply the maximum amount your assessment can increase in any given year.

When ownership of a property changes the limitation cap gets reset to Just Value, and a new base year is set

The formula for the amount of property tax you pay is:

Taxable Value x Millage Tax Rate = Property Taxes

Only the taxing authorities can adjust the Millage Tax Rates. If you are concerned about the level of property taxation, you should attend your taxing authorities’ public budget hearings where Millage Tax Rates are finalized. The dates, times and places of the budget hearings are listed on your “Notice of Proposed Property Taxes”. If you are unable to attend a meeting, you can contact the Taxing Authorities at the numbers listed below.

Taxing Districts

Putnam County                            386-329-0205 commissioner’s office  
Fire MSTU                                386-329-0205 commissioner’s office
School Board                             386-329-0653 superintendent’s office
City of Palatka                          386-329-0100 city hall
City of Crescent City                    386-698-2525 city hall              
Town of Interlachen                      386-684-3811 town office
Town of Pomona Park                      386-649-4902 town hall              
Town of Welaka                           386-467-9800 town hall
St. John River Water Management District 386-329-4500 general information    
Suwannee River Water Management District 386-362-1001 general information

The Florida Constitution requires the assessed value of your property to be based on conditions that existed as of January 1st of this year. Although values in your neighborhood may have declined further, the Market Value stated on your “Notice of Proposed Property Taxes” is our estimate of value as of January 1st. By law, that value was established by utilizing sales that occurred during the prior year.

Your Market Value went down because sales of similar properties indicated values in your area have declined. Your Assessed Value went up because of the requirement in Florida state law commonly know as Recapture. This recapture provision requires the assessed value to increase by 3% or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less, until it reaches the market value. This is true even if your market value is declining.

Yes. This information is displayed on the Value tab in the Property Search tool.

The deadline for applying for Homestead Exemption is March 1. Late applications can be taken due to extenuating circumstances.

When you make an application for your Homestead Exemption in the Property Appraiser’s Office, you will be able to fill out a portability application at the same time.

In order to qualify for portability benefits this year, you must have homesteaded a prior Florida residence in any of the previous two years. You need to have sold or abandoned the prior residence in either of the two previous years and moved to a new homestead residence in the current year.

Portability is the ability to shift tax benefits directly caused by the “Save Our Homes” law from one homesteaded residence to another.

The DR-405 Tangible Personal Property Return is your application for the Tangible Personal Property Exemption.

Tangible Personal Property (TPP) includes machinery and equipment and other non-real estate property. TPP also applies to mobile home attachments on rented land (such as carports and utility sheds).

If the TPP Exemption reduces your taxable value to 0, then you do not have to file a DR-405. Instead, in January, our office will send you a notice that you are exempt from filing. Unless you have received this exemption notice, we strongly suggest you file the DR-405 or contact our office to verify your status.

For all accounts assessed over $25,000, failure to timely file will result in the loss of the exemption and up to a 25% penalty.

April 1st is the deadline, however you can request a 30 or 45 day extension. The request must be made in writing. You may mail, FAX or e-mail the request to our office, however it must be received before the April 1st deadline. Please click the link for a copy of the extension request.

Link