| HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FRAUD HURTS ALL OF US
Help Us Eliminate Tax Cheats Since 2006, our office's homestead exemption fraud investigative efforts have resulted in nearly $2 million in back taxes, penalties and interest being collected and nearly $28 million of taxable value added back to Bay County's tax roll. The Florida Constitution provides the benefit of homestead exemption to reduce the property tax burden of Florida citizens who use their property as their primary residence. In Bay County, the $50,000 homestead exemption saves qualified residents over $500 in taxes per year. Additionally, the cumulative benefits accrued by having assessments capped each year under the provisions of the Save Our Homes Amendment to the Florida Constitution benefits qualified residents by reducing their tax burden by hundreds of dollars more.The financial benefits of homestead exemption have grown to the point where some have succumbed to the temptation of filing a false homestead application for the purpose of gaining financial benefits to which they are not entitled. The loss of tax revenue that these cheaters cause is made up by law abiding citizens. Examples of homestead fraud are:
All of us have an interest in protecting our homestead exemption benefits. All of us should fight any and all instances of homestead exemption fraud. If you have information about someone engaging in homestead exemption fraud, please call: (850) 248-8401 and ask for Charlotte Lynn or use the form below. We will investigate your leads and you may remain anonymous. Please see:
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