I learned that I lost the homestead on a property which we were renting. I knew it was going to happen since it has to be owner occupied in order to keep the homestead. Anyways, this is a property in Florida it's not only that the homestead was lost but that the taxes went up to the property market value which doubled! We were paying $3k now it's up to over $7k! We have decided to sell because the rent will not cover all expenses. I think this makes no sense, it's like purchasing the property now in 2006 instead of 10yrs ago. Has anyone gone thru this? Is there anything that I can do. They are charging me the difference for last year. I know that if I call the appraisers office they are going to say "this is how it is". Who else can I bring this up with.
Thank you.

I feel your pain. I own a townhouse in Tampa, Fl that I paid $60,000. My taxes were $800 and as soon as I moved the homestead to another property my taxes went to $3700.

You can no longer have a positive cash flow on an investment property unless you go negative am on your morgage.

www.flbestrate.com

Your probably lucky you are not the subject of criminal charges. Many county appraisers are taking people to court over false homestead claims. Our County site now has a button to click to report homestead violations. Those that report violations can receive rewards in the form of a percent of the back taxes owed due to the false claims for homestead status.

You must report your change in homestead status the same year it occurs and generally before the tax statements are calculated.

So, what's the question? You don't live there - you don't qualify for Homestead exemption. If you moved to Georgia would you complain about having to pay state income tax? You didn't pay it in Florida but the law says you must in Georgia just like the law says that you only get a Homestead exemption if you live in the house. It sounds like you have been getting away with underpaying your taxes for a while and I don't think you're going to find anyone in the tax office who will change that.

You couldn't claim homestead but you could fight the county assesors opinion of value.Tax assesment has nothing to do with value when you sell so trying to get this as low as possible is key.

Pick comps and the declining market to justify a reduction in your tax assesment.Saying i pay too much in taxes will get you nowhere in a hearing.You must have concrete eveidence comps to justify why the assesment is high.You need to ask for a hearing to fight the new assesment.