This post is a reminder for everyone regarding your Homestead Exemption.
What is the Homestead Exemption? A homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of the property that you use as your permanent residence by an amount up to $50,000. This represents a substantial savings on the taxes levied against your property by the various taxing authorities.
Who May File. Every person who has legal or equitable title to real property in Florida and who has recorded the title instrument in the public records of the county where application is made. The applicant must reside on the property as of January 1st and must in good faith, make it their permanent residence to be eligible. For example, if you were residing in your permanent residence on Jan. 1, 2009, then you are eligible for a 2009 homestead exemption.
When to File. Exemption applications must be made between January 1st and March 1st for the tax year eligible. For example, if you are living in your permanent home on January 1st, 2009 then you have until the close of business of March 1, 2009 to file your homestead exemption for that year. Failure to make application by March 1 of the tax year shall constitute a waiver of the exemption privilege for that year. Homestead exemption applications may be filed after March 1, but the exemption will be applied in the next tax year. For example, if you move into your permanent home on April 1, 2009 you may file for your 2010 exemption anytime from April 2, 2009 through March 1, 2010.
Where to File:
Bay County Florida Property Appraiser's Office
860 W. 11th St.
Panama City, FL 32401
Office: (850) 248-8401
Fax: (850) 248-8447
Hours: 8AM-5PM CST Monday-Friday
Beach Office
301 Richard Jackson Blvd.
Panama City Beach, FL. 32407
"Inside Panhandle Educators Federal Credit Union"
Branch Manager: Vern Mathis
Phone: 850-236-3234
Fax: 850-236-3236
Hours: 9:00 to 5:00 Monday through Friday
Only one signature is required for joint owners who are married with the same last name; however, all documentation listed below must be provided. All signatures are necessary if owners who occupy the home have different last names.
The Following Information Is Required.
1. Recorded Warranty Deed or last tax bill.
2. Florida Driver License reflecting current residential address: all joint owners who reside on the property need Florida Driver Licenses. (Valid in Florida Only licenses are NOT sufficient).
3. Florida Vehicle Registrations reflecting current residential address. All vehicles owned by the applicants must have resident Florida registrations. This also applies to military personnel. Leased vehicles and nonresident registrations NOT accepted.
4. Social Security Numbers. Social Security numbers are required for all owners listed on the deed.
5. Declaration of Domicile or Florida Voter Registration Card reflecting current residential address. If an owner does not have a car registered in their name, one of these documents will be required as proof of residency.
Renewal. The Property Appraisers Office will mail you a renewal card each year in January. Please read the instructions carefully and be sure to comply with deadlines.
For more info, please visit the Property Appraiser's site by clicking here.
From my family to yours, have a wonderful, safe holiday!
Karen Branham, e-Pro, SFR, SRES, Broker Associate
THE BRANHAM TEAM
"Exceptional Service"
Coldwell Banker United, Realtors
726 Thomas Drive
Panama City Beach, FL 32407
Telephone: 850-832-8626
Email: karen.branham@cbunited.com
Website: http://www.KarenBranham.com
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
NORTHWEST FLORIDA named as a "Top 12 Travel Destination" of the year!
Here's a terrific article from yesterday's New Herald. Go Panama City Beach area!
Travel guide high on Northwest Florida
DUSTY RICKETTS / Florida Freedom Newspapers
2009-12-07 21:18:19
Northwest Florida residents who want to visit one of the top tourist destinations in the world for 2010 need only step outside. Frommer’s Travel Guide, one of the best-selling travel guides in the world with more than 75 million books sold, recently named the Florida Panhandle beaches as one of its top 12 travel destinations for next year.
Other areas that made Frommer’s list are Tunisia in North Africa; Hanoi, Vietnam; and Melbourne, Australia. The only other American locale that made the list was Hawaii’s Big Island.
“It’s a big deal,” said Beth Oltman, Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce CEO and president. “We’re very proud.”
Not only are the sugar-white beaches a draw for tourists, but the whole area also is becoming a thriving community, Oltman said.
“I think it’s great. Anytime you can get national recognition is a feather in your cap,” said Tracy Louthain, director of public relations for the Beaches of South Walton Tourist Development Council. “It really gets people to pay attention to you. I think the timing is good with the opening of the new airport in Panama City in 2010. There are a lot of reasons to focus on this region of the state right now.”
Northwest Florida has been suggested for inclusion in the list of top destination choices in the past, but this was the first year it made the final cut, said David Lytle, editorial director of frommers.com.
“It fit our list for the year,” Lytle said. “It’s an American destination; part of it is overlooked oftentimes. It’s got some economical choices. A family can still afford to take a vacation to the Florida Panhandle.
“It’s a gorgeous part of the country,” he added. “People tend to think of Florida, and they either think of the theme parks or they think of southern Florida. We want to give another part of the state its due as well.”
Frommer’s list of the top tourist destinations for next year will be seen by people from all over the world and will help draw new visitors to the area, said Darrel Jones, executive director of the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council.
“It’s a great thing for opening this area up to the world,” Jones said. “Advertising like this, you couldn’t pay for.”
All three tourist organizations plan to use the recognition from Frommer’s in their upcoming publicity measures, including updating their Web sites to include information on the list.
“With the economy, I think that’s important that people understand you can come to this area and have a great time, great vacation and not cost you a small fortune,” Jones said.
News Herald Writer Scarlet Sims contributed to this story.
Well, this recognition is terrific for all of us, and we are hopeful news like this will continue to help our corner of the world proceed nicely towards a path of recovery for all of us.
Have an AWESOME week everyone! Karen
Karen Branham, e-Pro-SRES, SFR, Broker Associate
THE BRANHAM TEAM
"Exceptional Service"
Coldwell Banker United, Realtors
Direct: 850-832-8626
Website: http://www.karenbranham.com
Mailto: karen.branham@cbunited.com
Travel guide high on Northwest Florida
DUSTY RICKETTS / Florida Freedom Newspapers
2009-12-07 21:18:19
Northwest Florida residents who want to visit one of the top tourist destinations in the world for 2010 need only step outside. Frommer’s Travel Guide, one of the best-selling travel guides in the world with more than 75 million books sold, recently named the Florida Panhandle beaches as one of its top 12 travel destinations for next year.
Other areas that made Frommer’s list are Tunisia in North Africa; Hanoi, Vietnam; and Melbourne, Australia. The only other American locale that made the list was Hawaii’s Big Island.
“It’s a big deal,” said Beth Oltman, Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce CEO and president. “We’re very proud.”
Not only are the sugar-white beaches a draw for tourists, but the whole area also is becoming a thriving community, Oltman said.
“I think it’s great. Anytime you can get national recognition is a feather in your cap,” said Tracy Louthain, director of public relations for the Beaches of South Walton Tourist Development Council. “It really gets people to pay attention to you. I think the timing is good with the opening of the new airport in Panama City in 2010. There are a lot of reasons to focus on this region of the state right now.”
Northwest Florida has been suggested for inclusion in the list of top destination choices in the past, but this was the first year it made the final cut, said David Lytle, editorial director of frommers.com.
“It fit our list for the year,” Lytle said. “It’s an American destination; part of it is overlooked oftentimes. It’s got some economical choices. A family can still afford to take a vacation to the Florida Panhandle.
“It’s a gorgeous part of the country,” he added. “People tend to think of Florida, and they either think of the theme parks or they think of southern Florida. We want to give another part of the state its due as well.”
Frommer’s list of the top tourist destinations for next year will be seen by people from all over the world and will help draw new visitors to the area, said Darrel Jones, executive director of the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council.
“It’s a great thing for opening this area up to the world,” Jones said. “Advertising like this, you couldn’t pay for.”
All three tourist organizations plan to use the recognition from Frommer’s in their upcoming publicity measures, including updating their Web sites to include information on the list.
“With the economy, I think that’s important that people understand you can come to this area and have a great time, great vacation and not cost you a small fortune,” Jones said.
News Herald Writer Scarlet Sims contributed to this story.
Well, this recognition is terrific for all of us, and we are hopeful news like this will continue to help our corner of the world proceed nicely towards a path of recovery for all of us.
Have an AWESOME week everyone! Karen
Karen Branham, e-Pro-SRES, SFR, Broker Associate
THE BRANHAM TEAM
"Exceptional Service"
Coldwell Banker United, Realtors
Direct: 850-832-8626
Website: http://www.karenbranham.com
Mailto: karen.branham@cbunited.com
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