Florida Statutes § 196.075, as amended from time to time, provides the requirements for additional homestead exemptions for persons 65 years of age and older.
(A) Definitions.
(1) HOUSEHOLD. A person or group of persons living together in a room or group of rooms as a housing unit, but the term does not include persons boarding or renting a portion of a dwelling, as defined in F.S. § 196.075(1), as amended from time to time.
(2) HOUSEHOLD INCOME. The adjusted gross income, as defined in section 62 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, of all members of the household, as defined in F.S. § 196.075(1), as amended from time to time.
(B) General.
(1) Pursuant to and in accordance with F.S. § 196.075, the additional homestead exemptions as set forth in this section shall apply only to taxes levied by the city, including, if any, dependent special districts and municipal service taxing units.
(2) Amount of additional homestead exemption. Any person who meets the requirements set forth in division (2)(a) of this section, shall be eligible for an additional homestead exemption in an amount up to $50,000. Such additional homestead exemption granted hereunder shall not exceed $50,000 in accordance with F.S. § 196.075, as amended from time to time.
(a) Requirements to obtain additional homestead exemption. Any person who has attained the age of 65 years will be entitled to an additional homestead exemption if:
1. The person has legal or equitable title to real estate;
2. The person maintains thereon the permanent residence of the owner;
3. The person's household income does not exceed $20,000 as adjusted annually per division (F) of this section; or
(3) Alternate additional homestead exemption. Any person who meets the requirements set forth in division (3)(a) of this section, shall be eligible for an additional homestead exemption based on the amount of the assessed value of the property in accordance with F.S. § 196.075, as amended from time to time.
(a) Requirements to obtain alternate additional exemption. Any person who has attainted the age of 65 years will also be entitled to an additional homestead exemption if:
1. The person has legal or equitable title to real estate with a just value less than $250,000;
2. The person has maintained thereon the permanent residence as the owner for at least 25 years;
3. The person’s household income does not exceed $20,000, as adjusted annually per division (F) of this section.
(C) The taxpayer claiming either exemption submits annually to the Broward County Property Appraiser, not later than March 1, a sworn statement of household income on a form prescribed by the Florida Department of Revenue;
(D) In accordance with rules of the Florida Department of Revenue, the filing of the statement is supported by copies of any federal income tax returns for the prior year, any wage and earnings statements (W-2 forms), any request for extension of time to file returns, and any other documents which the Florida Department of Revenue, finds necessary, for each member of the household, is submitted by June 1. The taxpayer's statement shall attest to the accuracy of such copies; and
(E) Property appraiser approval. The property appraiser may not grant the exemption without the required documentation.
(F) Household income. For purposes of division (B)(2)(a)3. and (B)(3)(a)3. of this section, beginning January 1, 2001, the $20,000 household income limitation shall be adjusted annually, on January 1, by the percentage change in the average cost-of-living in the period January 1 through December 31 of the immediate prior year compared with the same period for the year prior to that. The index is the average of the monthly consumer-price-index figures for the stated 12-month period, relative to the United States as a whole, issued by the United States Department of Labor.
(G) If title is held jointly with the right of survivorship, the person residing on the property and otherwise qualifying may receive the entire amount of the additional homestead exemption. (Ord. 1334, passed 2-16-00; Am. Ord. 1582, passed 5-16-07; Am. Ord. 1861, passed 11-2-16)