Guv Bush Extends Property Tax Discounts

TALLAHASSEE - Governor Jeb Bush has signed House Bill 15 (B) into law to
allow counties that were declared a major disaster area in 2005 to extend
the discount period on early payment of taxes.

The bill authorizes counties declared a major disaster area to adopt
options for extending the time in which a property tax payment qualifies
for an early-payment discount. The extension does not apply to mortgages,
lien holders or vendees that make tax payments on behalf of the property
owner. Counties may adopt extensions in whole or in part by issuing an
emergency ordinance. The county tax collector is responsible for
implementing the discount period.

The bill extends the following early-payment of property taxes discount
periods:
the 4 percent discount period from November 30, 2006 to January 31, 2006;
the 3 percent discount period from December 31, 2005 to February 28, 2006;
and the 2 percent discount period from January 31, 2006 to March 31, 2006.

Hendry County and Glades county have not as yet adopted the extensions made
possible by this new law.