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Posted 3/25/09 

 

2009 Constitutional Amendments Update

Amendment 3 – Changes and Improvements Not Affecting the Assessed Value of Residential Real Property.

As the name implies, as of January 1, 2009, county assessors cannot take into account any improvements made to a home, for ad valorem purposes, designed for hurricane safety or installing a renewable energy source device. 

Amendment 4 – Property Tax Exemption of Perpetually Preserved Land. 

On January 1, 2010, owners who have created preservation and conservation land through easements with local and state governments will receive an exemption to ad valorem taxation.  This amendment takes away the double punishment some land owners were undergoing, by not only giving up development rights, but then being taxed as if they hadn’t. 

Amendment 6 – Assessment of Working Waterfront Property Based Upon Current Use. 

Effective January 1, 2010, owners of waterfront property that have existing uses below their “highest and best use” will finally receive a tax break.  County assessors will now be required to assess value based on the current use, and not something that may never exist on the property.  This amendment effectively precludes county governments from taxing waterfront property owners out of their property by forcing them to sell.