Page 6 - Abacoa Community News - October '22

Page 6, Abacoa
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office

Dear Taxpayer: Visit our website for more information on these exemptions outstanding outreach campaign. The honor is particularly
Welcome fall! or to download and print forms. You can always call us at (561) gratifying because the series shines a light on the professional
The end of the 2022 tax 355-2866 or email us at myexemption@pbcgov.org. staff in our office. The videos are fun, funny, and engaging
year is fast approaching! snapshots into some of the more unique functions of our team.
October is a busy month Public Information Program
in my office as we certify
the ad valorem tax roll to Award
the Palm Beach County
Tax Collector’s Office. The Our office has earned the Public Information Program
Tax Collector will mail the Award from the International Association of Assessing
2022 tax bills on Nov. 1. Officers, a professional membership organization of more
This month, petition than 8,000 assessors worldwide.
hearings will begin for property owners who filed The award recognizes the Outliers video series as an
a petition because they disagree with their property
assessment or denied exemption. They are led by the Palm
Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s
Value Adjustment Board (VAB). On average, the number
of petitions filed in Palm Beach County is low, typically Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Dorothy Jacks,
less than 1 percent of the total parcels in the county. CFA, AAS, and Becky Robinson, public information officer,
As we move into the final months of the year, I’d like accept the Public Information Program Award from IAAO
to remind all property owners to review their homestead President L. Wade Patterson.
exemption status to determine whether they might qualify
for additional property tax saving benefits. There are Office Closed Due To Holiday
several other exemptions such as those for seniors, the
disabled, and members of the armed forces. The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office
This month’s newsletter also highlights an award Clarice Bethel-Laing, public services specialist, our latest (including all of our Service Centers) will be closed on
my office recently received. We have earned the Public feature in the Outliers video series Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 10.
Information Program Award from the International
Association of Assessing Officers in recognition of our
Outliers video series as an outstanding outreach campaign. Northern Notes
I hope you find this information helpful.
Respectfully,
Dorothy Jacks, CFA, AAS, Preserving The Preserves
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser
We Value What You Value By Katie Roundtree,
Director of Finance
Additional Exemptions and Administration,
Northern Palm Beach
A property owner may be eligible for additional County Improvement
exemptions. In order to qualify for the following additional District
exemptions, you must have a homestead exemption on Northern owns and
your property. maintains approximately
Limited Income Senior Exemption 2,000 acres of preserves
A $25,000 exemption is available to those 65 or throughout the
older with an adjusted gross income below $ 32,561, not 128-square-mile district.
including tax-exempt bond interest or nontaxable Social It is an integral part of a resident’s home. When one of the palms dropped to the
Security income. You will be asked to provide a copy of many of our residential communities and a pristine area of ground, seven newborn squirrels fell out of it. Staff had to
your Federal 1040 Tax Form or your Social Security 1099 native Florida that we strive to protect. Since these areas build a temporary “home” for the babies close to the tree
Form. The county’s senior exemption does not apply to sometimes lie behind residents’ houses, we get many calls and hope that the mother came back to find them. Many
other taxing authorities, such as the school district and to trim back trees or take out trees that are not aesthetically bird nests can also be lost because of cutting plants down.
other municipalities. pleasing. If it is warranted or threatening to property, we A 2019 study in south Florida found that cavity nesters,
In addition to the county-wide exemption, some will trim back or remove vegetation, but in most cases, native woodpeckers specifically, favored palm snags over
municipalities offer additional tax savings. trees should be left in their native state. Why is this? Why pine trees or maples in urbanized tropical regions. A
Boynton Beach – $25,000 exemption can’t we make the preserve areas look like parks? snag is a dead tree. This is even more of a reason to keep
Haverhill – $50,000 First and foremost, we are required through permit with standing snags in the preserve. We had a resident request
Jupiter – $50,000 South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), not to take out a maple snag from behind his home. It wasn’t
Jupiter Inlet Colony – $50,000 to remove or kill any native trees or plants in the preserve. threatening any property, just was a bit of an eyesore.
Lake Worth – $25,000 As for other more ecological examples, native trees and Northern staff went to check it out and as soon they got
Lantana – $25,000 vegetation provide many benefits to wildlife. Cabbage close to the tree, a woodpecker flew towards them and into
Loxahatchee Groves – $50,000 palms are Florida’s state tree. They provide housing for a small cavity it had built in the tree. Not only was there
Palm Beach Gardens – $25,000 many animals such as squirrels, racoons, frogs, lizards, a nest, but there were several baby chicks inside that the
Palm Springs – $25,000 etc. Small rodents, lizards, insects, and even rare plant woodpecker was feeding. Even more importantly, many
Royal Palm Beach – $5,000 species rely on the uncut “boots” on a palm for a home. of these birds and their nests/eggs are protected by federal
South Palm Beach – $25,000 Squirrels and birds will use the palm thatch as nesting law (The Migratory Bird Treaty Act).
Tequesta – $25,000 material and will often nest in the palm. Recently staff and
Wellington – $50,000 preserve crews removed three cabbage palms from behind Northern Notes on page 7
Widow/Widower Exemption
Florida grants an additional $500 exemption to widows
and widowers, which is increasing to $5,000 beginning
deceased spouse’s death certificate. If the surviving Experience Dentistry with a Woman’s Touch
Jan. 1, 2023. You will be asked to submit a copy of the
spouse remarries, they are no longer eligible to receive
the additional exemption.
Living Quarters Of Parents Or Grandparents Cosmetic & Comprehensive Restorative Dentistry
Exemption (Also Known As The Granny Flat
Exemption) State of the Art & Same Day Restorations
Homesteaded property owners who add living quarters
for a parent or grandparent can apply to have all or part Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Sedation Available
of the value of this new construction deducted from the
assessment.
Civilian Disability Exemptions Joanne Green, D.D.S.
Full or partial exemptions are available for individuals
with the following disabilities: 10887 N. Military Trail, Suite 6
• Quadriplegic Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
• Paraplegic
• Hemiplegic (561) 622-2815 • www.joannegreendds.com
• Legally blind
• Total and permanent disability, requires wheelchair for Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry - Cum Laude
mobility Hospital of the University of Penn - General Practice Residency Training
• Total and permanent disability, does not require Harvard Dental School - Former Instructor
wheelchair for mobility Boston Brigham and Women’s Dental Group - Staff Dentist
Some of these exemptions have income limitations.