12D-9.015. Petition; Form and Filing Fee

(1)(a) For the purpose of requesting a hearing before the value adjustment board, the department prescribes Form DR-486. The Form DR-486 series is adopted and incorporated by reference in Rule 12D-16.002, F.A.C.

(b) In accordance with Section 194.011(3), F.S., the department is required to prescribe petition forms. The department will not approve any local version of this form that contains substantive content that varies from the department’s prescribed form. Any requests under Section 195.022, F.S., or approval from the department to use forms for petitions that are not identical to the department’s form shall be by written board action or by written and signed request from the board chair or board legal counsel.

(2) Content of Petition. Petition forms as adopted or approved by the department shall contain the following elements so that when filed with the board clerk they shall:

(a) Describe the property by parcel number;

(b) Be sworn by the petitioner;

(c) State the approximate time anticipated by the petitioner for presenting and arguing his or her petition before the board or special magistrate to be considered by the board clerk as provided in subsection 12D-9.019(1), F.A.C., and may provide dates of nonavailability for scheduling purposes if applicable;

(d) Contain a space for the petitioner to indicate on the petition form that he or she does not wish to be present and argue the petition before the board or special magistrate but would like to have their evidence considered without an appearance;

(e) Contain a statement that the petitioner has the right, regardless of whether the petitioner initiates the evidence exchange, to receive from the property appraiser a copy of the property record card containing information relevant to the computation of the current assessment, with confidential information redacted, along with a statement that when the property appraiser receives the petition, the property appraiser will either send the property record card to the petitioner or notify the petitioner how to obtain the property record card online;

(f)1. Contain a signature field for the taxpayer to sign the petition and a checkbox for the taxpayer to indicate that she or he has authorized a representative to receive or access confidential taxpayer information related to the taxpayer,

2. Contain a checkbox for the taxpayer to indicate that he or she has authorized a compensated or uncompensated representative to act on the taxpayer’s behalf,

3. Contain a signature field for an authorized employee or representative to sign the petition, when applicable, along with the authorized employee’s or representative’s sworn certification under penalty of perjury that he or she has the taxpayer’s authorization to file the petition on the taxpayer’s behalf together with checkboxes for professional information and spaces for license numbers; and,

4. Contain a signature field for a compensated or uncompensated representative, who is not an employee of the taxpayer or of an affiliated entity, and not an attorney who is a member of The Florida Bar, a real estate appraiser licensed or certified under Chapter 475, Part II, F.S., a real estate broker licensed under Chapter 475, Part I, F.S., or a certified public accountant licensed under Chapter 473, F.S., and contain checkboxes, for a compensated representative to indicate he or she is attaching a power of attorney from the taxpayer, and for an uncompensated representative to indicate he or she is attaching a written authorization from the taxpayer.

(g) If the petition indicates that the taxpayer has authorized a compensated representative, who is not acting as a licensed or certified professional listed in paragraph 12D-9.018(3)(a), F.A.C., to act on the taxpayer’s behalf, at the time of filing, the petition must either be signed by the taxpayer or be accompanied by a power of attorney; and,

(h) If the petition indicates that the taxpayer has authorized an uncompensated representative to act on the taxpayer’s behalf, at the time of filing, the petition must either be signed by the taxpayer or be accompanied by the taxpayer’s written authorization.

(i) Contain a space for the petitioner to indicate if the property is four or less residential units; or other property type; provided the board clerk shall accept the petition even if this space is not filled in; and,

(j) Contain a statement that a tangible personal property assessment may not be contested unless a return required by Section 193.052, F.S., is timely filed.

(3) The petition form shall provide notice to the petitioner that the person signing the petition becomes the agent of the taxpayer for the purpose of serving process to obtain personal jurisdiction over the taxpayer for the entire value adjustment board proceeding, including any appeals to circuit court of a board decision by the property appraiser or tax collector.

(4) The petition form shall provide notice to the petitioner of his or her right to an informal conference with the property appraiser and that such conference is not a prerequisite to filing a petition nor does it alter the time frame for filing a timely petition.

(5) The department, the board clerk, and the property appraiser or tax collector shall make available to petitioners the blank petition form adopted or approved by the department. The department prescribes the Form DR-486 series, for this purpose, incorporated in Rule 12D-16.002, F.A.C., by reference.

(6) If the taxpayer or representative’s name, address, telephone, or similar contact information on the petition changes after filing the petition and before the hearing, the taxpayer or representative shall notify the board clerk in writing.

(7) Filing Fees. By resolution of the value adjustment board, a petition must be accompanied by a filing fee to be paid to the board clerk in an amount determined by the board not to exceed $15 for each separate parcel of property, real or personal covered by the petition and subject to appeal. The resolution may include arrangements for petitioners to pay filing fees by credit card.

(a) Other than fees required for late filed applications under Sections 193.155(8)(j) and 196.011(8), F.S., only a single filing fee may be charged to any particular parcel of real property or tangible personal property account, despite the existence of multiple issues or hearings pertaining to such units, parcels, or accounts.

(b) No filing fee shall be required with respect to an appeal from the disapproval of a timely filed application for homestead exemption or from the denial of a tax deferral.

(c) For single joint petitions filed pursuant to Section 194.011(3)(e), (f), or (g), F.S., a single filing fee is to be charged. Such fee must be calculated as the cost of the time required for the special magistrate to hear the joint petition and may not exceed $5 per unit, parcel, or account, in addition to any filing fee for the petition. Said fee is to be proportionately paid by affected property owners.

(d) The value adjustment board or its designee shall waive the filing fee with respect to a petition filed by a taxpayer who demonstrates at the time of the filing by submitting with the petition documentation issued by the Department of Children and Families that the petitioner is currently an eligible recipient of temporary assistance under Chapter 414, F.S.

(e) All filing fees shall be paid to the board clerk at the time of filing. Any petition not accompanied by the required filing fee will be deemed incomplete.

(8) An owner of contiguous, undeveloped parcels may file a single joint petition if the property appraiser determines such parcels are substantially similar in nature. A condominium association, cooperative association, or any homeowners’ association as defined in Section 723.075, F.S., with approval of its board of administration or directors, may file with the value adjustment board a single joint petition on behalf of any association members who own units or parcels of property which the property appraiser determines are substantially similar with respect to location, proximity to amenities, number of rooms, living area, and condition. An owner of multiple tangible personal property accounts may file a single joint petition if the property appraiser determines that the tangible personal property accounts are substantially similar in nature. The property appraiser must provide the petitioner with such determination upon request by the petitioner. The petitioner must obtain the determination from the property appraiser prior to filing the petition and must file the determination provided and completed by the property appraiser with the petition. An incorporated attached list of units, parcels, or accounts by parcel number or account number, with an indication on the petition form showing a joint petition, is sufficient to signify a joint petition.

(9) Persons Authorized to Sign and File Petitions. The following persons may sign and file petitions with the value adjustment board.

(a) The taxpayer may sign and file a petition.

(b) An employee of the taxpayer or of an affiliated entity or a licensed or certified professional listed in paragraph 12D-9.018(3)(a), F.A.C., who the taxpayer has authorized to file a petition and represent the taxpayer and who certifies under penalty of perjury that he or she has the taxpayer’s authorization to file a petition on the taxpayer’s behalf and represent the taxpayer, may sign and file such a petition that is not signed by the taxpayer and that is not accompanied by the taxpayer’s written authorization.

(c) A compensated person, who is not an employee of the taxpayer or of an affiliated entity and who is not acting as a licensed or certified professional listed in paragraph 12D-9.018(3)(a), F.A.C., may sign and file a petition on the taxpayer’s behalf if the taxpayer has authorized such person by power of attorney. If the petition is not signed by the taxpayer, such person must provide a copy of the power of attorney to the board clerk at the time the petition is filed. This power of attorney is valid only for representing a single taxpayer in a single assessment year, and must identify the units, parcels, or accounts for which the person is authorized to represent the taxpayer and must conform to the requirements of Chapter 709, Part II, F.S. A taxpayer may use a Department of Revenue form to grant the power of attorney or may use a different form provided it meets the requirements of Chapter 709, Part II, and Section 194.034(1), F.S. The Department has adopted Form DR-486POA, Power of Attorney for Representation Before the Value Adjustment Board, which is incorporated by reference in Rule 12D-16.002, F.A.C., as a form available to taxpayers for granting the power of attorney.

(d) An uncompensated person, who has a taxpayer’s signed written authorization to represent the taxpayer, is authorized to sign and file a petition on the taxpayer’s behalf if, at the time the petition is filed, such person provides a copy of the taxpayer’s written authorization to the board clerk with the petition or the taxpayer’s signed written authorization is contained on the petition form. This written authorization is valid only for representing a single taxpayer in a single assessment year and must identify the units, parcels, or accounts for which the person is authorized to represent the taxpayer. A taxpayer may use a Department of Revenue form to grant the authorization in writing or may use a different form provided it meets the requirements of Section 194.034(1), F.S. The Department has adopted Form DR-486A, Written Authorization for Representation Before the Value Adjustment Board, which is incorporated by reference in Rule 12D-16.002, F.A.C., as a form available to taxpayers for granting the written authorization.

(10)(a) If a taxpayer notifies the board that an unauthorized petition has been filed for the taxpayer’s property, the board may require the person who filed the petition to provide to the board, before a hearing is held on such petition, the taxpayer’s written authorization for the person to file the petition and represent the taxpayer.

(b) If the board finds that an employee or a professional listed in paragraph 12D-9.018(3)(a), F.A.C., knowingly and willfully filed a petition not authorized by the taxpayer, the board shall require such employee or professional to provide to the board clerk, before any petition filed by that employee or professional is heard, the taxpayer’s written authorization for the employee or professional to represent the taxpayer. This board requirement shall extend for one year after the board’s imposition of the requirement.

(11) If duplicate petitions are filed on the same property, the board clerk shall contact the taxpayer and all petitioners to identify whether a person has the taxpayer’s authorization to file a petition and represent the taxpayer, and resolve the issue in accordance with this rule chapter.

(12)(a) The board clerk shall accept for filing any completed petition that is timely submitted on a form approved by the department, with payment if required. If an incomplete petition is received, the board clerk shall notify the petitioner and give the petitioner an opportunity to complete the petition within 10 calendar days. Such completed petition shall be timely if completed and filed within the time frame provided in the board clerk’s notice.

(b) A “completed” petition is one that:

1. Provides information for all the required elements that are displayed on the department’s form;

2. Is accompanied by a power of attorney if required;

3. Is accompanied by written taxpayer authorization if required; and,

4. Is accompanied by the appropriate filing fee if required.

(c) In accepting a petition, the board clerk shall rely on the licensure information provided by a licensed professional representative, the power of attorney provided by an authorized, compensated person, or the written taxpayer authorization provided by an authorized, uncompensated person.

(13) Timely Filing of Petitions. Petitions related to valuation issues may be filed, and must be accepted by the board clerk, at any time during the taxable year on or before the 25th day following the mailing of the notice of proposed property taxes. Other petitions may be filed as follows:

(a) With respect to issues involving the denial of an exemption on or before the 30th day following the mailing of the written notification of the denial of the exemption on or before July 1 of the year for which the application was filed;

(b) With respect to issues involving the denial of an agricultural classification application, on or before the 30th day following the mailing of the notification in writing of the denial of the agricultural classification on or before July 1 of the year for which the application was filed;

(c) With respect to issues involving the denial of a high-water recharge classification application on or before the 30th day following the mailing of the notification in writing of the denial of the high-water recharge classification on or before July 1 of the year for which the application was filed;

(d) With respect to issues involving the denial of a historic property used for commercial or certain nonprofit purposes classification application, on or before the 30th day following the mailing of the notification in writing of the denial of the classification on or before July 1 of the year for which the application was filed;

(e) With respect to issues involving the denial of a tax deferral, on or before the 30th day following the mailing of the notification in writing of the denial of the deferral application;

(f) With respect to exemption or classification claims relating to an exemption or classification that is not reflected on the notice of property taxes, including late filed exemption claims, on or before the 25th day following the mailing of the notice of proposed property taxes, or on or before the 30th day following the mailing of the written notification of the denial of the exemption or classification, whichever date is later; and,

(g) With respect to penalties imposed for filing incorrect information relating to tax deferrals for homestead, for recreational and commercial working waterfronts or for affordable rental housing properties, within 30 days after the penalties are imposed.

(14) Late Filed Petitions.

(a) The board may not extend the time for filing a petition. The board is not authorized to set and publish a deadline for late filed petitions. However, the failure to meet the statutory deadline for filing a petition to the board does not prevent consideration of such a petition by the board or special magistrate when the board or board designee determines that the petitioner has demonstrated good cause justifying consideration and that the delay will not, in fact, be harmful to the performance of board functions in the taxing process. “Good cause” means the verifiable showing of extraordinary circumstances, as follows:

1. Personal, family, or business crisis or emergency at a critical time or for an extended period of time that would cause a reasonable person’s attention to be diverted from filing, or

2. Physical or mental illness, infirmity, or disability that would reasonably affect the petitioner’s ability to timely file, or

3. Miscommunication with, or misinformation received from, the board clerk, property appraiser, or their staff regarding the necessity or the proper procedure for filing that would cause a reasonable person’s attention to be diverted from timely filing, or

4. Any other cause beyond the control of the petitioner that would prevent a reasonably prudent petitioner from timely filing.

(b) The board clerk shall accept but not schedule for hearing a petition submitted to the board after the statutory deadline has expired, and shall submit the petition to the board or board designee for good cause consideration if the petition is accompanied by a written explanation for the delay in filing. Unless scheduled together or by the same notice, the decision regarding good cause for late filing of the petition must be made before a hearing is scheduled, and the parties shall be notified of such decision.

(c) The board clerk shall forward a copy of completed but untimely filed petitions to the property appraiser or tax collector at the time they are received or upon the determination of good cause.

(d) The board is authorized to, but need not, require good cause hearings before good cause determinations are made. The board or a board designee, which includes the board legal counsel or a special magistrate, shall determine whether the petitioner has demonstrated, in writing, good cause justifying consideration of the petition. If the board or a board designee determines that the petitioner has demonstrated good cause, the board clerk shall accept the petition for filing and so notify the petitioner and the property appraiser or the tax collector.

(e) If the board or a board designee determines that the petitioner has not demonstrated good cause, or if the petition is not accompanied by a written explanation for the delay in filing, the board clerk shall notify the petitioner and the property appraiser or tax collector.

(f) A person who files a petition may timely file an action in circuit court to preserve the right to proceed in circuit court. (Sections 193.155(8)(l), 194.036, 194.171(2) and 196.151, F.S.).

(15) Acknowledgement of Timely Filed Petitions. The board clerk shall accept all completed petitions, as defined by statute and subsection (2), of this rule. Upon receipt of a completed and filed petition, the board clerk shall provide to the petitioner an acknowledgment of receipt of such petition and shall provide to the property appraiser or tax collector a copy of the petition.

(16) When the property appraiser receives the petition from the board clerk, regardless of whether the petitioner initiates the evidence exchange, the property appraiser shall provide to the petitioner a copy of the property record card containing information relevant to the computation of the current assessment, with confidential information redacted. The property appraiser shall provide such property record card to the petitioner either by sending it to the petitioner or by notifying the petitioner how to obtain it online.

(17) The board clerk shall send the notice of hearing such that it will be received by the petitioner no less than twenty-five (25) calendar days prior to the day of such scheduled appearance. The board clerk will have prima facie complied with the requirements of this section if the notice was deposited in the U.S. mail thirty (30) days prior to the day of such scheduled appearance.

(18) Copies of the forms incorporated in Rule 12D-16.002, F.A.C., may be obtained at the Department’s Internet site: http://floridarevenue.com/dor/property/forms/.

Rulemaking Authority 194.011(5), 194.034(1), 195.027(1) FS. Law Implemented 193.155, 194.011, 194.013, 194.032, 194.034, 194.036, 195.022, 196.151, 197.2425 FS. History–New 3-30-10, Amended 11-1-12, 6-14-16, 3-13-17, 9-19-17, 6-13-22.