| This revision proposes changes to the State
Constitution relating to property taxation. With respect to homestead property,
this revision: (1) increases the homestead exemption except for school district
taxes and (2) allows homestead property owners to transfer up to $500,000 of
their Save-Our-Homes benefits to their next homestead. With respect to
nonhomestead property, this revision (3) provides a $25,000 exemption for
tangible personal property and (4) limits assessment increases for specified
nonhomestead real property except for school district taxes.
In more detail, this revision: (1) Increases the
homestead exemption by exempting the assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000.
This exemption does not apply to school district taxes. (2) Provides for the
transfer of accumulated Save-Our-Homes benefits. Homestead property owners will
be able to transfer their Save-Our-Homes benefit to a new homestead within 1
year and not more than 2 years after relinquishing their previous homestead;
except, if this revision is approved by the electors in January of 2008 and if
the new homestead is established on January 1, 2008, the previous homestead must
have been relinquished in 2007. If the new homestead has a higher just value
than the previous one, the accumulated benefit can be transferred; if the new
homestead has a lower just value, the amount of benefit transferred will be
reduced. The transferred benefit may not exceed $500,000. This provision applies
to all taxes. (3) Authorizes an exemption from property taxes of $25,000 of
assessed value of tangible personal property. This provision applies to all
taxes. (4) Limits the assessment increases for specified nonhomestead real
property to 10 percent each year. Property will be assessed at just value
following an improvement, as defined by general law, and may be assessed at just
value following a change of ownership or control if provided by general law.
This limitation does not apply to school district taxes. This limitation is
repealed effective January 1, 2019, unless renewed by a vote of the electors in
the general election held in 2018.
Further, this revision: a. Repeals obsolete
language on the homestead exemption when it was less than $25,000 and did not
apply uniformly to property taxes levied by all local governments. b. Provides
for homestead exemptions to be repealed if a future constitutional amendment
provides for assessment of homesteads "at less than just value" rather than as
currently provided "at a specified percentage" of just value. c. Schedules the
changes to take effect upon approval by the electors and operate retroactively
to January 1, 2008, if approved in a special election held on January 29, 2008,
or to take effect January 1, 2009, if approved in the general election held in
November of 2008. The limitation on annual assessment increases for specified
real property shall first apply to the 2009 tax roll if this revision is
approved in a special election held on January 29, 2008, or shall first apply to
the 2010 tax roll if this revision is approved in the general election held in
November of 2008. |