Page 7 - The Shores of Jupiter - March '25

The Shores, Page 7
Tax Talk

Dear Friends: 2025, and will begin with the upcoming 2025 tax year Drop It!
Is spring in the air? With assessment. Amendment 5 requires the value of the
a somewhat chilly winter in second, or additional, homestead exemption to be adjusted We pride ourselves on
South Florida, perhaps the for annual inflation. If inflation goes up, your second delivering exceptional service
springtime weather is right exemption will also go up, and you could pay less in to all of our clients throughout
around the corner, and that property taxes as a result. Palm Beach County. We serve
means outdoor gardening To learn more about homestead exemptions, visit the you online, in-person, by kiosk
is in full swing. While I Property Appraiser’s website at www.pbcpao.gov. and also by drop box. Did you
tend to my outdoor garden know we have drop boxes
throughout the year, this time Before You Go, You Should located at each of our six service center locations? The
of year is about planting and drop box allows you to drop off payments for property tax,
fertilizing. But be careful, it Know … business tax, tangible personal property tax, and motor
is important to know your vehicle registration. You can also surrender your license plate.
soil before you plant as you If your 2025 Using the drop box is twice as fast as mail and is checked
want to ensure the right soil travel plans include multiple times per day!
will help your plants grow taking a flight To use the drop box, you will need to visit one of our
and remain healthy. There domestically and/ service centers during our business hours (Monday through
are many different types and or internationally, Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.), check in with our team at the
combinations of fertilizer on please be sure to reception desk to ensure you have what you need and then
the market so you need to take note of new you are good to go – no reservation required! For more
know what your soil needs before you decide to incorporate travel requirements information about the services that are drop box eligible,
nutrients into the ground. A soil testing kit is a good start and going into place. visit www.pbctax.gov/resources/payment-options/.
I recommend visiting Mounts Botanical Garden’s website for On Ma y 7 ,
helpful gardening tips at www.mounts.org/gardening-tips. 2025, all U.S. travelers must be Real ID compliant to board
Good luck with your spring gardening and enjoy the fruits domestic flights. If you have a gold star on your driver
of your labor throughout the year. license/state identification card, you are compliant. If not, be
Anne M. Gannon, sure to make a reservation at www.pbctax.gov/reservations
Constitutional Tax Collector, Serving Palm Beach County to obtain your Real ID. Check the website for the required
documentation you will need to bring to your reservation.
New Homestead Adjustment Don’t delay, reservation lead time is approximately 4 to 6
weeks.
If you are a Planning a trip the United Kingdom? U.S. citizens traveling
permanent Florida to the U.K. for short visits, tourism or business, including
resident, you may just passing through U.K. airports, will need an Electronic
be eligible for a Travel Authorization (ETA). This applies to all parts of the
homestead exemption, U.K., including Northern Ireland. The ETA is modeled after
as determined by the the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization and acts
Palm Beach County as a pre-clearance for travel to reduce security risks and make
Property Appraiser. A homestead exemption lowers your border entry more efficient. The ETA is $12.75 and takes
property’s assessed value and caps its increase, meaning approximately three working days to process. It is required for
you pay less in property taxes. travelers of all ages and valid for two years. Visit www.gov.
In last November’s general election, Florida voters uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta
approved Amendment 5, which took effect on Jan. 1, to apply and happy travels!