February 2022
This free monthly eNewsletter highlights the latest developments in the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser's Office. You may unsubscribe below, or give us your feedback by replying to this email. We hope you enjoy!
Dear Taxpayer:
My office is busy preparing the 2022 Tax Roll, a report of the combined value of all the property (real and tangible) in Palm Beach County as of January 1.

This report will reflect the ongoing COVID-19 impacts on property values in Palm Beach County. In addition to market data reflected in property sales last year, my staff are analyzing new construction, demolition, land splits, land combinations, ownership changes, and additions or removals of exemptions. 

The numbers cited below are as of January 4 and are subject to change.

Our estimates show a 21% increase in sales volume over last year. This is a good indicator of increased demand that continues to spur an increase in sale prices.
  • Commercial sales are up from 517 to 786 or 52%
  • Condo sales are up from 18,742 to 24,404 or 30%
  • Residential sales are up from 20,899 to 23,471 or 13.6%

Our county has seen a surge in new construction, as well. While strictly an estimate, our latest projections show that new construction is up by 40% for 2022. An estimated 5,673 new structures will be added to the 2022 tax roll.
  • New Single Family Homes – 3,985
  • New Condominium Units – 1,382
  • New Commercial Buildings – 306

Some of this growth can be attributed to large new residential subdivisions out west that were approved a few years ago that we are continuing to add to the tax roll. New construction numbers are always fascinating for me because they represent property that has never been taxed before. These structures will add new value to the 2022 Tax Roll, contributing to a tax base while sharing the tax burden.

As the deadline to file for a homestead exemption is March 1, this is an excellent time of year to review your homestead exemption status and examine additional exemptions that may yield tax savings. In this month’s newsletter, you will find information to help you do just that. I hope you find it useful. 
Respectfully,
Dorothy Jacks, CFA, AAS
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton
Homestead Exemption on Real Property

If you are a permanent Florida resident, you may be eligible for a homestead exemption, which can save you generally $750 to $1,000 in property taxes each year. All homestead exemption applications must be submitted by March 1.

A $25,000 exemption is applied to the first $50,000 of your property’s assessed value if your property is your permanent residence and you owned the property as of January 1. This exemption applies to all taxes, including school district taxes. An additional exemption of up to $25,000 will be applied if your property’s assessed value is between at least $50,000 and $75,000. This exemption is not applied to school district taxes. In addition, a homestead exemption limits any increase to your assessed value to a maximum of 3% each year or the amount of the change in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower.

Three ways to apply:
  • E File at pbcgov.org/PAPA
  • Visit one of our five service centers to file in person
  • Complete the application online, print it out, and mail it to the Property Appraiser’s Office

Once you qualify, your homestead exemption will be renewed for you annually as long as you continue to qualify for the exemption.

Visit pbcgov.org/PAPA to E File and for information on other available exemptions for seniors, families, veterans, and more.
Additional Exemptions

If you receive a homestead exemption, you may be eligible for additional exemptions or discounts in the categories listed below. The application deadline for all additional exemptions is March 1.
  • Civilian Disability
  • Institutional Exemptions
  • Florida Law Enforcement & First Responders (Disabled in the line of duty)
  • Living Quarters for Parents or Grandparents (also known as the Granny Flat)
  • Senior Citizen (Limited-Income)
  • Veterans Disability
  • Widow/Widower Exemption

For more information, visit pbcgov.org/PAPA or call Exemption Services at 561.355.2866.
Portability — You can take it with you!

If you sell your home and buy a new one, there is good news – You may not lose all the tax savings accumulated over the years.

Portability refers to Florida’s Save Our Homes provision which allows you to transfer all or a significant portion of your tax benefit, up to $500,000, from a home with a homestead exemption to a new home within the state of Florida that qualifies for a homestead exemption. The application deadline for portability is March 1.

You can E File for portability when E Filing for your homestead exemption. Or, if you have already filed for a homestead exemption and need only to file for portability, visit our website or call Exemption Services at 561.355.2866.
Holiday Office Closures 
In honor of Presidents’ Day, the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office (including all of our Service Centers) will be closed on Monday, February 21, 2022.
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