• Trouble logging in? Send us a message with your username and/or email address for help.
New posts

Smiling JOe

SoWal Expert
Nov 18, 2004
31,644
1,773
I thought I posted this already, but I guess it didn't go through.

Proposed Super Homestead Exemption Information

On January 29, 2008 you will have the opportunity to vote on a constitutional amendment regarding the super exemption. Try our calculator to help you decide if it is right for you. Remember existing homesteaders have the choice to keep their current exemption or switch to the new super exemption.


a) Keep their existing homestead exemption and their current Save Our Homes cap.

The homestead amount is $25,000 and the cap limits any annual assessed value increases on that homestead to the lesser of 3 percent or the change in the Consumer Price Index, as long as they maintain it as their homestead.



- or -



b) Convert to the Super Homestead Exemption and give up Save Our Homes.

The new Super Exemption will exempt 75% of the first $200,000 of value on the homestead and 15% of the next $300,000 with no cap on value increases. This option can be chosen in 2008 or in a later year, but the choice is irrevocable.

If the amendment passes, all persons with homestead exemption in 2008 will continue under Save Our Homes unless they file a form with the Property Appraiser's Office to switch to the Super Exemption. All applications filed for homestead exemption for 2009 and thereafter will be for the Super Exemption - Save Our Homes will no longer be available.


Nobody can guarantee which option is better for you or guarantee that the forecasts they make will prove accurate over time. Uncertain future variables such as inflation, the increase in real estate values, the length of time you will continue to live in your home and the amount of capped value you currently have must be considered.


We have added a calculator to help you make your own forecast of which option would be best for you, based on the variables that you select. We hope this will be helpful as you prepare to make a choice in the event that the amendment passes in January.


If the amendment passes, all persons with homestead exemption in 2008 will continue under Save Our Homes unless they file a form with the Property Appraiser's Office to switch to the Super Exemption. All applications filed for homestead exemption for 2009 and thereafter will be for the Super Exemption - Save Our Homes will no longer be available for a new applicant.
 

SHELLY

SoWal Insider
Jun 13, 2005
5,763
803
2 votes for "no" coming from our home. Even if it does pass :roll: , I'm sticking with SOH.
.
 
Last edited:

Camp Creek Kid

Christini Zambini
Feb 20, 2005
1,277
125
54
Seacrest Beach
If you look up your property on the Property Appraiser's website, there is a new gold button you can click on that explains all about this. It also calculates the payments for your specific property and you can see the breakdown of the SOH exemption vs. the new proposed Super Homestead. In our case, if we were to chose the Super Homstead, the payments are $1,000 cheaper the first year then the gap closes until its the same in about 10 years. If we were to hold onto our home for the next 30 years, and had chosen the Super Homestead, we'd end up paying tens of thousands more than the regular homestead.
 

beachmouse

Beach Fanatic
Dec 5, 2004
3,499
741
Bluewater Bay, FL
We'd save $500 the first year, but end up paying tens of thousands more over the next 20 years as well under SuperHomestead.

Couple of No voters here as well since in the end it's all smoke and mirrors and will hurt vulnerable people on fixed incomes in the long run.
 

ShallowsNole

Beach Fanatic
Jun 22, 2005
4,279
857
Pt Washington
I checked mine, and there would be an immediate doubling :shock: of our taxes if I chose the Super Homestead, and it would only get worse from there. Since I filed for homestead in January 2004, our "just" value has somehow crept up to twice our assessed value. Imagine that! :roll:

If my home was on our agricultural land in northern Walton County and not expected to climb very much in value, I'd jump on the super homestead. It's nice to have a choice, but I don't see it helping very many SoWal homeowners. :sosad:

It's nice to have the tool and the explanation from the PA's office - that is the most clear and consise explanation I've seen of the issue.
 

Smiling JOe

SoWal Expert
Nov 18, 2004
31,644
1,773
Interesting that they call it "Super Homestead." They should call it "Get screwed if Super Homestead."
 

beachmouse

Beach Fanatic
Dec 5, 2004
3,499
741
Bluewater Bay, FL
If it does pass, it's not like the people in office now will have to deal with by the time the screaming about tax increases gets really bad because many/most of them will have been term-limited out of office by that time.
 

waltondude

Beach Lover
Apr 2, 2006
54
0
Walton County
2 votes for "no" coming from our home. Even if it does pass :roll: , I'm sticking with SOH.
.


Why are you voting NO and taking away the choice of others? If the amendment passes you are allowed to keep SOH until you sell, move, or die. So you are protected. But let the others who are trying to get started at least have a chance as some lower taxes.

Patrick Pilcher has an excellent calculator on his website when you look up your taxes for your property. www.waltonpa.com
 
New posts


Sign Up for SoWal Newsletter