Page 22 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - February '24

Page 22, Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens
Tax Talk

Dear Friends, language. Now our client service specialists and clients Dispose Safely … The Hazards
February is quite an can have two-way conversations in the client’s preferred
exciting month around the language and the device will translate the message into Of Lithium Batteries
tax collector’s office. We English, and vice versa.
have passed the halfway This new device has been a game changer for our teams They are found in everything
mark of this year’s tax season in the service centers and during road tests. Now, during road from electric toothbrushes,
and 86 percent of taxpayers tests, it allows us to provide the driver with the necessary musical greeting cards, and
have paid their property commands in English that they will hear in their preferred even Tesla electric vehicles,
taxes. For those who have language. Prior to Pocketalk, we had to rely on either an but do you know the dangers of
not yet paid, February offers employee to translate, or the services of a translator when lithium batteries if they are not
a 1 percent discount if paid and if available. We are happy to say goodbye to those days disposed of properly? Lithium
by Feb. 29. Keep in mind and hello, bonjour, and hola to the introduction of this new batteries are easily damaged
that there is no discount offered in March so now is your technology. This is just another way we are delivering on our once thrown out. When they are dropped, scraped,
last chance to save some money on your taxes. commitment to “Serving You” … regardless of the language crushed, or punctured, the lithium inside can become
February also marks the opening of the newest service the client speaks. exposed and create a fire hazard. When lithium combines
center in Palm Beach Gardens where we will begin with water, it produces highly flammable hydrogen and
servicing our clients in a beautiful, spacious, and modern Origami In The Garden lithium hydroxide that produces a spark. If this happens
facility. After several years of planning and construction, inside a garbage/recycling truck or a solid waste facility,
we are thrilled to bring this newest facility to our clients in A beautiful new exhibit that spark can cause a fire. These fires can spread quickly
northern Palm Beach County. Look for next month’s issue has unfolded at Mounts and burn for weeks.
of “Tax Talk” when I will share some of the photos and Botanical Garden. Origami Lithium batteries can be properly disposed of at one
details of the grand opening! in the Garden, created by of the seven Solid Waste Authority Home Chemical
Anne M. Gannon, Santa Fe artists Jennifer and and Recycling Centers located throughout Palm Beach
Constitutional Tax Collector, Kevin Box, is an outdoor County. Many major retailers also offer free disposal
Serving Palm Beach County sculpture exhibition. It of these batteries. For more information and examples
features 20 metal sculptures of products containing lithium batteries, visit the Solid
Introducing Pocketalk! inspired by the Japanese art Waste Authority website, www.swa.org/lib.
of paper folding. What better
Serving you is our commitment time to enjoy the beautiful grounds at Mounts than during the
and goal with every interaction with cooler winter weather? I hope you get a chance to stroll through
our clients. And with that, we are the exhibit. Origami in the Garden is open now through May
pleased to announce an exciting 12, during regular Mounts Botanical Garden hours.
new service is now available in all Visit https://www.mounts.org/origami-in-the-garden/ to
of our service centers – introducing purchase tickets: $20 general admission; $18 seniors 65
Pocketalk. years-plus, college students and military with ID; $13 kids
The Pocketalk device is simple to 6 to 17; free for children under 6.
use and is capable of translating more Admission is free for Mounts members and RAP
than 80 different languages. All you (reciprocal program) members; must present membership
do is speak into the Pocketalk device card. Annual membership is $60 for an individual or $95
and it converts the words into a text for a family. Visit https://www.mounts.org/membership/ for
and audio translation in the desired more information. Admission is by credit/debit card only.
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser

Dear Taxpayer: New construction numbers represent property that has never • Institutional exemptions
My office is busy been taxed before, adding new value to the 2024 Tax Roll. This • Florida law enforcement and first responders (disabled
preparing the 2024 Tax Roll, contributes to the tax base while sharing the tax burden. in the line of duty)
a report of the combined As the deadline to file for a homestead exemption is March • Living quarters for parents or grandparents (also known
value of all the property (real 1, this is an excellent time of year to review your homestead as the granny flat)
and tangible) in Palm Beach exemption status and examine additional exemptions that may • Senior citizen (limited-income)
County as of Jan. 1. yield tax savings. In this month’s newsletter, you will find • Veterans disability
This report will reflect information to help you do just that. I hope you find it useful. • Widow/widower exemption
market data gleaned from Respectfully, For more information, visit pbcpao.gov or call Exemption
property sales last year as Dorothy Jacks, CFA, FIAAO, AAS, Services at (561) 355-2866.
well as new construction, Palm Beach County Property Appraiser
demolition, land splits, land Portability – You Can Take It
combinations, ownership changes, and additions or removals Homestead Exemption On
of exemptions. With You!
The numbers cited below are as of Jan. 12 and are Real Property
subject to change. If you sell your home and buy a new one, there is good
Our estimates show a decrease in sales volume over last year, If you are a permanent Florida resident, you may be eligible news. – You may not lose all the tax savings accumulated over
indicating a continued slowing in demand. for a homestead exemption, which can save you generally $750 the years.
• Commercial sales are down from 1,275 to 818 or to $1,000 in property taxes each year. All homestead exemption Portability refers to Florida’s Save Our Homes provision
35.8 percent. applications must be submitted by March 1. which allows you to transfer all or a significant portion of your
• Condo sales are down from 21,196 to 16,877 or 20.4 percent. A $25,000 exemption is applied to the first $50,000 of your tax benefit, up to $500,000, from a home with a homestead
• Residential sales are down from 21,638 to 17,846 or property’s assessed value if your property is your permanent exemption to a new home within the state of Florida that qualifies
17.5 percent. residence and you owned the property as of Jan. 1. This for a homestead exemption. The application deadline for
New construction reflects the growth of our county as exemption applies to all taxes, including school district taxes. portability is March 1.
an estimated 5,000 new structures will be added to the 2024 An additional exemption of up to $25,000 will be applied if You can e-file for portability when e-filing for your homestead
Tax Roll. The rate of growth in single-family homes remains your property’s assessed value is between at least $50,000 and exemption. Or, if you have already filed for a homestead
unchanged from last year while more condos and commercial $75,000. This exemption is not applied to school district taxes. exemption and need only to file for portability, visit our website
buildings are projected to be added this year than last. In addition, a homestead exemption limits any increase to your or call Exemption Services at (561) 355-2866.
• New Single-Family Homes – 3,566, almost no change assessed value to a maximum of 3 percent each year or the
from 2023 amount of the change in the Consumer Price Index, whichever Office Closed Due To Holiday
• New Condominium Units – 968, up 26 percent from is lower.
2023 There Are Three Ways To Apply In honor of Presidents’ Day, the Palm Beach County
• New Commercial Buildings – 274, up 8.7 percent • E-file at pbcpao.gov Property Appraiser’s Office (including all of our Service
from 2023 • Visit one of our five service centers to file in person Centers) will be closed on Monday, Feb. 19.
• 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
Captain’s was established in 1980 servicing exemption.
Palm Beach County and is a privately
owned and managed company. Additional Exemptions
Captain’s is committed to providing
dependable, reliable and professional
ground transportation to and from all If you receive a homestead exemption, you may be eligible
South Florida Airports and Seaports. PBCVH212 for additional exemptions or discounts in the categories
To reserve your vehicle: listed below. The application deadline for all additional
561-798-2180 or 800-634-7890 www.captainsairport.com exemptions is March 1.
• Civilian disability