Florida Property Tax News: Call Your State Senator!

What follows is a press release prepared by fellow members of the Florida Association of Property Tax Professionals (FAPTP). Because we endorse the call to action set forth in the press release--and not just because the FAPTP has previously retained our services as legal counsel to address the members of the Palm Beach County Value Adjustment Board--we publish the press release in this blogspace.
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Legislative staff have determined that at least $456.8 million of overassessment and excessive taxation presently exists in the Florida ad valorem tax system. This reverse tax gap is caused by abuses in assessment practices and tax contest proceedings that are heavily weighted in favor of the taxing authorities and against overassessed taxpayers. HB 261, which was passed by the House of Representatives yesterday by a vote of 117 to 1, is designed to correct those abuses. The Legislative staff estimate of as much as $500 million in tax savings will result if this bill is adopted by the Senate.

Some county property appraisers acknowledge that abuses are occurring in the system but wish to delay any corrective action. They are urging the Senate to set up a “study commission” in order to postpone any corrective action. The Auditor General has already studied the ad valorem tax contest system and confirms that abuses are present. No further study is necessary. Real ad valorem tax reform requires an immediate correction of the well recognized flaws in the system. Another year to study this problem, another $500 million of excessive taxation, is not the answer. We urge you to contact you Senator, immediately, bring to his or her attention this appalling situation and urge the Senate’s adoption of the outstanding reforms contained in HB 261. _______________________________________________________
Daniel A. Weiss has over 26 years experience as a Florida property tax attorney. Daniel Weiss was named in the 2007 Annual Edition of the South Florida Legal Guide as one of the top lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate - Land Use, Zoning & Environmental.
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