§ 94-73. Additional homestead exemption; eligibility; application.

(a)

Any person 65 years of age or older who has the legal or equitable title to real estate located within the city and who maintains thereon his or her permanent residence, which residence qualifies for and receives a homestead exemption pursuant to F.S. § 196.031, and whose household income does not exceed $20,000.00 (commencing in 2014), adjusted for inflation pursuant to section 94-74 of this Code below, may apply for an additional homestead exemption of $25,000.00, as provided in this article.

(b)

A person claiming the additional homestead exemption shall annually submit to the property appraiser the following:

(1)

Not later than March 1, a sworn statement of household income on a form prescribed by the Florida Department of Revenue; and

(2)

Not later than June 1, copies of any federal income tax returns for the prior year, any wage and earnings statements (W-2 forms), and any other documents that may be required by the department of revenue or the property appraiser, for each member of the household. The person's sworn statement shall attest to the accuracy of such copies. The property appraiser may not grant the exemption without the required documentation.

(c)

The additional homestead exemption, if granted, shall be applicable to all ad valorem taxes levied by the city.

(d)

If title to the property is held jointly with right of survivorship, the person residing on the property and otherwise qualifying for the additional homestead exemption may receive the entire amount of the additional homestead exemption provided in this article.

(e)

A person qualified for the additional homestead exemption shall be entitled to the full amount of such exemption as provided in this article. The foregoing notwithstanding, if the granting of the additional homestead exemption, when added to any other exemption from ad valorem assessment granted to a particular property, results in an exemption that exceeds the ad valorem assessment of the property, then the additional homestead exemption provided for in this article shall only be available to the extent that it is equal to the difference between the ad valorem assessment of the property and any other exemption from ad valorem assessment granted to the property.

(f)

The additional homestead exemption shall be available to qualified persons beginning with the 2014 tax year, and annually thereafter to the extent permitted by law.

(g)

Receipt of the additional homestead exemption provided for in this article shall be subject to the provisions of F.S. §§ 196.131 and 196.161, if applicable.

( Ord. No. 2013-0685, § 2, 6-4-2013 )