§ 11.6-4. Additional homestead exemption, age sixty-five and older.

(1)

Definitions. As used in this section, and as prescribed in Section 196.075, Florida Statutes, the term:

(a)

Household means a person or group of person living together in a room or group of rooms as a housing unit, but the term does not include persons boarding in or renting a portion of the dwelling.

(b)

Household income means the adjusted gross income, as defined in Section 62 of the United States Internal Revenue Code, of all members of the household.

(2)

Additional homestead exemption. Pursuant to Section 196.075(2)(b), Florida Statutes, an additional homestead exemption shall be allowed in the amount of the assessed value of the property for any person who has the legal or equitable title to real estate with a just value less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000.00) and has maintained thereon the permanent residence of the owner for at least twenty-five (25) years, who has attained the age sixty-five (65), and whose household income does not exceed the income limitation and calculation prescribed in paragraph (a) of Section 196.075, Florida Statutes, as calculated in subsection (3) of Section 196.075, Florida Statutes. This exemption applies only to taxes levied by Polk County and includes dependent special districts and municipal service taxing units. Taxpayers wishing to claim this exemption must annually submit to the property appraiser, not later that March first, a sworn statement of household income on a form prescribed by the department of revenue.

(3)

Criteria for exemption. The homestead exemption authorized by this section is available to any person who has the legal or equitable title to real estate and maintains thereon the permanent residence of the owner, who has attained age sixty-five (65), and whose household income does not exceed the amount established by general law.

(4)

Amount of exemption. The homestead exemption authorized by this section shall be for the amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00). A person eligible for the homestead exemption authorized by this section shall be entitled to the full amount of the exemption as provided by this section. However, if the granting of the homestead exemption authorized by this section, 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 homestead exemption authorized by this ordinance 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.

(5)

Applicability of exemption. The exemption granted by this section applies only to taxes levied by the Polk County board of county commissioners and will apply to all tax levies of the county including dependant special districts and municipal service taxing units.

(6)

Jointly held title. If title is held jointly with right of survivorship, the person residing on the property and otherwise qualifying may receive the entire amount of the homestead exemption authorized by this section.

(7)

Annual sworn statement of household income. A taxpayer claiming the exemption must annually submit to the property appraiser not later than March first, a sworn statement of household income on a form prescribed by the Florida department of revenue.

(8)

Controlling state statutes. This section shall at all times be construed in accordance with and shall otherwise be controlled by the provisions of Section 196.075, Florida Statutes, or successor statute.

(Ord. No. 01-72, §§ 1—8, 10-3-01; Ord. No. 07-021, § 1(4), 5-23-07; Ord. No. 14-067, §§ 2, 3, 11-18-14)