Page 19 - Abacoa Community News - March '25

Abacoa, Page 19

governMent

Tax Talk

Dear Friends: approved Amendment 5, which took effect on Jan. 1,
Is spring in the air? With 2025, and will begin with the upcoming 2025 tax year
a somewhat chilly winter assessment. Amendment 5 requires the value of the
in South Florida, perhaps second, or additional, homestead exemption to be adjusted
the springtime weather is for annual inflation. If inflation goes up, your second
right around the corner, exemption will also go up, and you could pay less in
and that means outdoor property taxes as a result.
gardening is in full swing. To learn more about homestead exemptions, visit the
While I tend to my outdoor Property Appraiser’s website at www.pbcpao.gov.
garden throughout the year,
this time of year is about
planting and fertilizing. But
be careful, it is important to know your soil before you
plant as you want to ensure the right soil will help your including just passing through U.K. airports, will need an
plants grow and remain healthy. There are many different Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). This applies to all
types and combinations of fertilizer on the market so parts of the U.K., including Northern Ireland. The ETA
you need to know what is modeled after the U.S. Electronic System for Travel
your soil needs before Authorization and acts as a pre-clearance for travel to
you decide to incorporate reduce security risks and make border entry more efficient.
nutrients into the ground. The ETA is $12.75 and takes approximately three working
A soil testing kit is a good days to process. It is required for travelers of all ages and
start and I recommend valid for two years. Visit www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-
visiting Mounts Botanical an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta to apply and happy
Garden’s website for Before You Go, You Should travels!
helpful gardening tips
at www.mounts.org/gardening-tips. Good luck with Know … Drop It!
your spring gardening and enjoy the fruits of your labor
throughout the year. If your 2025 travel plans include taking a flight We pride ourselves on
Anne M. Gannon, domestically and/or internationally, please be sure to take delivering exceptional
Constitutional Tax Collector, Serving Palm Beach note of new travel requirements going into place. service to all of our
County On May 7, 2025, all U.S. travelers must be Real ID clients throughout Palm
compliant to board domestic flights. If you have a gold Beach County. We serve
New Homestead Adjustment star on your driver license/state identification card, you are you online, in-person, by
compliant. If not, be sure to make a reservation at www. kiosk and also by drop
If you are a permanent Florida resident, you may be pbctax.gov/reservations to obtain your Real ID. Check box. Did you know we
eligible for a homestead exemption, as determined by the website for the required documentation you will need have drop boxes located
the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser. A homestead to bring to your reservation. Don’t delay, reservation lead at each of our six service center locations? The drop box
exemption lowers your property’s assessed value and caps time is approximately 4 to 6 weeks. allows you to drop off payments for property tax, business
its increase, meaning you pay less in property taxes. Planning a trip the United Kingdom? U.S. citizens
In last November’s general election, Florida voters traveling to the U.K. for short visits, tourism or business, Tax Talk on page 20