Fraudulent Homestead Exemption

Florida's homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of a property by $25,000,
but too many residents unlawfully try to get the savings on more than one home.
State lawmakers are cracking down, and Florida House Speaker Allan Bense says
he supports any effort to increase penalties for fraudulent homestead filers.

Legislation has been proposed that would make it a felony to claim more than one homestead exemption. The offense is a third-degree misdemeanor.

The property appraiser can recoup taxes on nonqualified homesteaded property dating back 10 years. There is a 50-percent penalty on the overdue taxes, plus 18-percent interest. The property appraiser also puts a lien on the property until the debt is paid.