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Deadline approaches for agricultural exemption
©Associated Press
February 28, 2003
TALLAHASSEE -- Thousands of Florida farmers, ranchers and growers could see dramatic property tax bill increases if they fail to return an "agricultural classification" form by Monday's deadline.
About 20 percent of the state's 180,000 farmers have not returned the form that was mailed late last year, Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson said Wednesday.
For the past 11 years the landowners have received the special classification without being required to return the card, a procedure similar to the automatic renewal of homestead exemptions for homeowners.
However, the 2002 Legislature voted to require that farmers fill out the card to certify to property appraisers that they are entitled to the agricultural exemption. Bronson said some tax assessors and property appraisers wanted the change in order to screen out "some people ... getting longtime exemptions that don't deserve ag exemptions."
The cards were mailed to appraisers in December by the Department of Revenue and should have been received by taxpayers by early January. Cards mailed back must be postmarked no later than March 3.
By having their property classified as agricultural, farmers receive a substantial reduction on their tax bills. For example, a timber owner who paid $1,000 in taxes on 500 acres last year could see a $9,000 bill this year without the special classification.
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