Purpose


The purpose of the draft amendments to Rule 12D-8.0064, F.A.C., is to implement statutory amendments that provide the procedure for calculating liens on portions of homestead property as described in section 193.155(10), F.S., relating to the assessment increase limitation, section 193.703(7), F.S., relating to parent or grandparent living quarters, section 196.075(9), F.S., relating to the homestead exemption for persons 65 and older, and sections 196.011(9), F.S., and 196.161(1)(b), F.S., relating to the homestead exemption. These statutes were amended by Chapter 2024-158, L.O.F., sections 4, 7, 9 11, 12 and 17, to set forth new procedures beginning in 2025 in certain circumstances where property improperly received one of the previously listed exemptions or assessment limitations. The amendments also require property appraisers to provide a property owner with notice of the reason why the owner is not entitled to an exemption, assessment limitation, or reduction in assessment and how back taxes, interest, and penalties due are calculated. The draft amendments also implement the Florida Supreme Court’s short order to upholding the Third DCA’s opinion and the Monroe County circuit court in the Russell vs. Hassett case, 373 So.3d 1242 (2023), applying the ten percent assessment increase limitation to the property appraiser’s retroactive homestead revocation liens. The draft amendments also provide that when property improperly receives a homestead exemption or limitation, the property must be reassessed at just value before it can receive the benefit of the ten percent limitation in subsequent tax years.