Commissioner’s Update
Free Tax Services Offered To Palm Beach County Residents
By Mayor Maria G. Marino
It’s that time of year when the United Way of Palm Beach County teams up with IRS-certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteers for a tax-free filing campaign. This initiative offers free, confidential, and secure tax preparation and e-filing for qualified taxpayers. Taxes
Filed Free provides two easy and stress-free ways to file at no cost: taxpayers can file online at www.MyFreeTaxes. com anytime and anywhere, or they can meet with an IRS-certified volunteer in person at one of 16 locations throughout the county. Volunteers are available to assist in English, Spanish, Creole and sign language, with no appointment required.
To make it easier to prepare your return please bring the following items to the VITA sites:
• Last year’s Federal Income Tax Return (2024 income tax returns)
Northern Notes
Raccoons – Misunderstood Masked Marauders
By Katie Roundtree, Director of Finance and Administration
Northern Palm Beach County Improvement
District
Trash pandas, bandits, thieves—these are all nicknames for northern raccoons. Raccoons, common throughout Florida, are a testament to the adaptability of wildlife. They can thrive in both urban and rural environments, even as their natural habitats shrink. A large part of their success is due to their adaptability to new challenges and opportunities, whether that’s nesting in cozy chimneys, invading chicken coops, or breaking into trash bins, their reputation as sneaky thieves who prefer to steal trash to survive is a testament to their intelligence and resourcefulness.
Raccoons are about the size of a small dog and weigh around 1 to 25 pounds when fully grown. They are most notable for their black eye masks and ringed tails. Raccoons also have flat feet, with their hind legs longer
• Social Security Cards for you, your spouse (if married), and all dependents listed on the return
• Correct birth dates for all names listed on the return
• All W-2s for 2024, including spouses
• Form 1098 – Mortgage interest, property taxes
• Form 1099 – DIV, G, INT, MISC, NEC, K, Q, R, RRB, SSA for 2024
• Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of your refund (This is optional, but it gets your cash to you fast)
• A Photo ID card (driver’s license, etc.), including spouse’s, if married and filing joint return
• For Dependent Care Credit, bring care provider’s name, address, SSN/EIN, and amount you paid
• For Education Credit, bring 1098T or 1098E and amount paid for qualified expenses
• Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement
If married and filing a joint return, both spouses must come to the VITA site.
VITA volunteers will NOT prepare Schedule D (Complex), Schedule E, Employee Business Expenses, Moving Expenses and Nondeductible IRA.
This Free Tax Assistance is offered from Thursday, January 22 to Tuesday, April 15. Don’t miss this deadline!
To find a VITA site location near you, call 211 or visit www.TaxesFiledFree.org.
than their front legs, giving them a hunched appearance. Their feet have five moveable toes, allowing them to grab and handle food. Both a raccoon’s front and rear paws resemble a human hand, featuring five slender, finger-like toes that enable them to easily manipulate food and objects. Raccoons have extremely sensitive front paws with specialized hairs, allowing them to easily locate and identify objects by touching them. This sensitivity increases when their paws are wet. While it appears that raccoons “wash” their food by dunking it in water, they are actually using this behavior to enhance their sense of touch. In fact, their scientific name, Procyon lotor , literally means “washing dog.” When raccoons dunk their food in the water and, seemingly, wash it, they are really just making their paws more sensitive. Water
By Bill Thompson
The Days Of Wine And Roses
To the contrary—Life is complicated. Where I grew up in a little town in North Carolina, there was one dentist and one primary care doctor. Here in Jupiter, I have a primary doctor who, when felt necessary, sends me to a specialist who sends me to a specialist who sends me to another specialist who sends me to another specialist. Soon I have a string of specialists and many appointments. Seven specialists and a primary. That is eight doctors and one dentist. That is a lot to keep up with. Mercy. I need a medical secretary. Thank God for one fine talented wife with a keen eye for detail. And with all that, I’m primarily just tired. Sick and tired of being sick and tired.
Don’t worry. I’ll be here when all my friends are gone. Stubborn, you know. With the life I’ve lived, one builds longevity and survival. Not correct, of course. but fun to think.
What Else?
The python crossing Island Way, the gator crossing Longshore with his dinner firmly clinched in giant jaws—a mid-size mud turtle, and a mid-sized alligator seen in Misty Lake, subsequently captured by the Fish and Wildlife.
Deadline for the May Issue is April 14
Mail or email to:
Bill Thompson, 18583 Lake Bend Drive billthompsonsoj@gmail.com
The Shores of Jupiter website: www.theshoresofjupiter.org
Disclaimer
Copy appearing herewith may not be the viewpoint of The Shores Board of Directors or its newsletter editor. Nor should responsibility be assigned for accuracy or validity or articles contributed by residents or other articles chosen by the publisher or the editor.
Realtime Property Management of South Florida LLC
Alexa Schuck, Property Manager
612 N. Orange Ave., Bldg C-4, Jupiter, FL 33458
The Shores Of Jupiter Homeowners Association Inc.
Board Of Directors, Committee
Board Of Directors:
David Lindley, President
John Hornyak, Vice President
Cynthia Clemente, Secretary
Barry Parker, Treasurer
Sal Greco, Director
Brian Martin, Director
Ryan Warren, Director
Architectural Control Committee:
Brian Martin, Co-Chair
Sal Greco, Co-Chair
John Hornyak
Compliance Committee:
Ryan Warren, Chair
Lakes And Parks Committee:
David Lindley, Chair
Crimewatch Committee:
Bill Thompson, Co-Chair
Sal Greco, Co-Chair
Welcoming Committee: John Hornyak, Chair
Sylke Lopez
Infrastructure
David Lindley, Chair
Communications and Newsletter Editor: Bill Thompson, Chair
Events & Social Media Committee:
Barry Parker, Co-Chair
Kristi Parker, Co-Chair
Francesca Brown
Tracey Lavoll
Sylke Lopez
Anais Maristany-Diaz
Dena Martin
Webmaster
Kristi Parker
Northern Notes from page 1
increases the tactile nerve responsiveness of their paws, allowing them to learn more about what they are holding and eating. The highly developed nerves in their forepaw pads and their manipulative abilities help them to identify items. Their forepaws are almost like a second set of eyes. They will often rub and roll objects in their hands or will even rub their hands together when they are not holding anything.
Raccoons are also extremely intelligent and good at solving complex problems. Some measures of intelligence have placed raccoons above cats but below primates in their ability to distinguish between objects. They have exceptional memories and can remember the solution to tasks for up to three years without reinforcement.
Raccoons will eat almost anything. Raccoons are not fussy about their choice of food. Although classified as a carnivore, the raccoon eats as much, if not more, plant matter as animal matter during the year. When ripe fruits, acorns, and seeds are available, raccoons feed heavily on them. At other times and places, they will feed on bird and turtle eggs, insects, crayfish and crabs, frogs, fish and small mammals. They’ll eat dead animals that they encounter, raid bird feeders for seed and pet food bowls for kibble and check out garbage cans that aren’t secured.
Raccoons are not fussy about their living quarters either. Under normal conditions, they usually select a den in a hollow tree limb instead of the trunk. Dens in trees may be anywhere from ground level to 60 feet above ground. However, in urban areas, raccoons demonstrate their adaptability by choosing a wide variety of “cavities,” including rock and debris piles, attics, crawl spaces beneath homes, decks, sheds, culverts, sewer drains and the burrows of other animals. This adaptability is a testament to their resilience and survival skills in the face of changing environments.
Like all living creatures, raccoons play a critical role in their ecosystems. Their role can be similar to that of a gardener or pest control, and they’re often referred to as a natural “cleanup crew.” The raccoon diet, a mix of plants, invertebrates and small mammals, serves a unique purpose in the ecosystem. When they consume berries and nuts, raccoons act as natural gardeners, distributing seeds to promote the growth of new plants and trees. Their digging behavior contributes to soil turnover, promoting decomposition and plant renewal.
Raccoons help control populations of parasitic species like lizards, frogs, toads and rats. When these creatures grow abundant, raccoon populations rise to curb the population growth. Raccoons also help protect bees by feeding on wasps, one of the bee’s main predators.
Perhaps their most important role in the ecosystem is consuming carrion (or dead animal carcasses), which helps keep the ecosystem clean. In addition to benefiting ecosystems, raccoons also help keep urban areas clean by consuming dead animals on our streets.
While raccoons can carry diseases such as rabies and roundworm, good hygiene and not handling raccoons can limit the spread. The best advice is to leave them alone, give them their space, wash your hands after gardening, and secure trash cans or other tantalizing targets. If you suspect a raccoon is sick or behaving unusually, it’s best to contact local wildlife authorities for assistance.
NPDES tip: Your neighborhood drainage system is not a garbage disposal – don’t treat it like one. Encourage residents to take responsibility and to not dump chemicals, fertilizer, paint, oil, etc., in inlets or pipes. Discourage sweeping of lawn clippings and dirt into street drains and disposing of lawn clippings and other debris (wood, concrete blocks, Christmas trees, etc.) directly into retention lakes. Keep drainage facilities clear of vegetation, trash, improperly and illegally discarded appliances, shopping carts, tires, cars, garbage bags, etc.
Financial Focus®
Time For Some Financial Spring Cleaning
By Sally Sima Stahl, Edward Jones
Spring is here – which means it’s once again time to wash the windows, organize your cabinets and steam your carpets. This year, in addition to tidying up around your house, why not also consider some financial spring cleaning?
Here are some suggestions to consider:
• “De-clutter” your investment portfolio . When you embark on your home cleaning mission, you might notice that you have redundancies – three blenders, two vacuum cleaners, and so on. Similarly, you might find duplications in your investment portfolio, perhaps in the form of multiple, near-identical stocks or mutual funds. If so, then it might be worthwhile to consider selling some of these investments and using the proceeds to boost your portfolio in other areas in which you may be lacking.
Bill’s Box from page 1
Then there are the Shores et al teen e-bikes terrorists blasting around and through Shores’ internal streets and drives. All e-bike teenagers are not reckless, disrespectful. Those are a clear and present danger to themselves but are also to neighbors and pets and automobiles. However, some riders trying to out-do their daredevil friends, come very close to moving automobiles. Speed and power noise seem to be the goal. If allowed to continue some immature, mostly boys, will come to great harm, even fatal, as has already happened outside the Shores in surrounding areas. These e-bikes are a nice Christmas present with thorough parental supervision and observance. There are three categories of
• Cut back on “overgrown” investments . Now that winter is over and you’re venturing outside more, you may notice some overgrown shrubbery or some tree branches that need pruning. And while it may sound counterintuitive, you might also have some investments that have grown too big for your needs. For example, you might own some growth-oriented investments whose value has increased so much that they now take up a larger percentage of your portfolio – and carry a higher degree of risk – than you originally intended. If that’s the case, you might be better off by selling some of these investments and purchasing others to help bring your investment mix back to its desired alignment.
• Dust off your investment strategy. With more sunlight now pouring in your house, you might notice that the corners of your walls and ceiling may need a good dusting. And as you continually work to strengthen your financial foundation, you may need to dust off your investment strategy, especially if you’ve recently experienced changes in your life, such as a marriage, addition of children, new job, and so on. And as you move closer to retirement, you may also need to adjust your strategy in some ways. For one thing, you might want to adopt a more conservative investment approach in the years immediately preceding your retirement, though you’ll still need to have some growth potential in your portfolio to help keep you ahead of inflation.
power and speeds. One can be powered by motorcycle engines. It sounds like a NASCAR racecar. The broad timeline for these infractions is between 3 p.m. and even later than 9 p.m. The JPD is aware of these infractions and is on the lookout. Violations are subject to the same punishment as any other moving vehicle on public roadways.
The concern over these dangers is not mine alone. Shores residents express these concerns on various media and to the HOA board of directors as well as to the Jupiter Police Department. Under their website, one can read the official ordinance, rules and regulations on e-bikes. Copy Deadline For May April 14, 2025. It slips up on you. Letters to the editor are welcome.
• Protect yourself from financial dangers . As you go about your household spring cleaning, you may find actual physical dangers that need to be removed or stored more safely, such as sharp objects or broken tools. And as you navigate daily life, you may also find threats to your financial safety – the need for an expensive home improvement, or a major car repair or an unexpectedly large medical bill. If you don’t have the money available to pay these expenses, you might be forced to dip into your retirement accounts or run up your credit card or take out a high-rate loan. To protect yourself from having to make these moves, you may want to maintain an emergency fund containing several months’ worth of living expenses, with the money kept in a liquid account, separate from those you use for your daily living expenses.
Of course, some of these moves can take some time – but by getting started on them soon, you can help put your financial house in better shape by the time the next spring cleaning rolls around.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Edward Jones, Member SIPC.
Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington, D.C., through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P., and in California, New Mexico and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C.; Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C.; and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C.
Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax advice. You should consult your qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.
Contact us at (561) 748-7600, Sally Sima Stahl, CFP®, AAMS™, 1851 W. Indiantown Road, Ste. 106, Jupiter, FL 33458.
Professional Firefighters And Paramedics Of Palm Beach County
This time of year, typically brings weather with less humidity, less rainfall and more winds. These conditions can combine to create a higher fire danger in our preserves, both in Abacoa and in neighboring wildland areas.
With these drier conditions, brush, grass and trees can become very dry, very quickly which means that it takes only a small source of ignition to start a fire. If left unchecked, a wildland fire can spread rapidly and encroach on residential and commercial properties. Ignition sources include discarded cigarettes, sparks from off-road recreational vehicles used in natural areas, and unfortunately, the intentional actions to start a fire.
Reporting a fire immediately can help to prevent its spread, which in turn will help to reduce the loss of natural areas, wildlife habitat, wildlife, and most importantly, will help to reduce the risk of loss of personal property and life.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue has all the resources available to mitigate any wildland fire and protect the adjoining residential and business properties, but notification must be made before action can be taken, so it is vitally important, especially in the dry weather season, to dial 9-1-1 to report any suspected or actual fire.
Jupiter Senior Softball News
Veteran softball player, Mike Manasia, 92, has been enshrined as the Jupiter Senior Softball Association’s 2024 Hall of Fame inductee.
A large crowd of softball players and members of Mike’s family attended the February 28 enshrinement ceremony at Jupiter Community Park.
The Hall of Fame (HOF) was established 2020 to honor JSSA members who have made an extraordinary impact on the softball organization. And Manasia’s selection is a testament to his impact he has had on the senior softball program and his teammates.
Mike Manasia, right, with the framed Hall of Fame citation presented by Vic Troiano
If you see or smell smoke but are not sure where it is coming from, and even if you think it “may be nothing” call anyway. We would much rather have it turn out to be minor, than for there to be a delay, giving the fire time to spread.
Please help to protect our natural resources by being fire safety aware. Thank you.
Steen Eriksson
Legislative Aid North Professional Firefighters and Paramedics of Palm Beach County
IAFF Local 2928
HOAN@iaff2928.com
Marianne Manasia, Lauren Manasia and Dianne Maher.
At his enshrinement, Vic Troiano presented Manasia his framed Hall of Fame citation which lauds his many accomplishments, including the following:
“For 25 years Mike has been a fierce on-field competitor, and his famous phrase, ‘I can’t do it alone guys’ has become legendary throughout the organization. His remarkable longevity and sense of principle remain a model to be admired by everyone.”
In expressing his gratitude Manasia, who was a pitcher, said it was a great honor to be recognized by his friends and teammates and was not something he expected. “It was ‘a great gift.’” His brass nameplate as the 2024 inductee was added to the Hall of Fame plaque on display at the park.
When he retired from playing in December 2023, Manasia was 91 and the oldest active player in the Jupiter Senior Softball program. A native of New York, and Army veteran of the Korean War, Manasia said he knew it was time to hang up his cleats when his eyes began to deteriorate.
Mike’s son Michael, and daughters Diane Maher and Annette Fongione were among family members and friends present for his HOF induction. Others were sonin-law Frank Truskaloski, daughter-in-law Marianne Manasia, mother-in-law Jane Memmelo, grand-daughter Lauren Manasia and Mike’s friend Trissie Sloan.
The Jupiter Senior Softball Association has been a staple in the community since it began playing games at Jupiter Community Park in 1999.The slow-pitch softball program is open to persons 55 and older and there is no upper age limit. Games are every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, beginning with batting practice at 8:30 a.m.
Registration can be made online at www.leaguelineu. com/jssa or for more information contact Gary Newman at (917) 623-0791.
Family and friends who attended Mike Manasia’s Hall of Fame enshrinement included, left to right, Frank Truskaloski, Annette Fongione, Trissie Sloan, Jane Memmelo, Michael Manasia,
ArtFest By The Sea At Juno Beach, Presented By Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center
Celebrates 35th Anniversary With A Focus On Sustainability And Coastal Conservation
The 35th anniversary of ArtFest by the Sea at Juno Beach, presented by Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, was a resounding success, drawing tens of thousands of art lovers, community members, and environmental advocates for a weekend of creativity and conservation along the stunning coastline.
The festival’s commitment to sustainability was on full display this year, with initiatives like the Recycle Right program educating attendees on responsible waste disposal and efforts to protect marine life through conservation exhibits at Loggerhead Marinelife Center. These efforts reinforce ArtFest by the Sea’s role in not only celebrating art but also preserving the natural beauty that makes the area so unique.
“Reaching 35 years is a testament to the incredible artists, dedicated volunteers, and the passionate community
that make this event possible,” said Brian Elkins, Director of Events at the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce. “ArtFest is more than just an art festival—it reflects the high quality of life in Palm Beach North, where art, community, and environmental stewardship come together to create something truly special.”
As ArtFest, co-produced by the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce and Howard Alan Events, looks ahead to the future, its dedication to the arts, community, and environmental responsibility will continue to shape the event, ensuring it remains a cherished tradition for years to come.
ADHD Looks Different In Girls
By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., Licensed School Psychologist
Savannah explained,
“My 13-year-old daughter’s a wreck at home. She is disorganized, argumentative and has trouble accomplishing day- to-day tasks on her own and following a routine. However, at school and sports she is very driven and motivated, is very personable, and has strong verbal skills. Help me understand her!” My school neuropsychological testing revealed Savannah’s daughter had ADHD.
ADHD looks different in girls as compared to boys. Three key differences are that ADHD in girls is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed because they are more likely to have inattention symptoms rather than hyperactivity. In elementary years boys are diagnosed at a 4 boys to 1 girl ratio but by adulthood, that evens out to a 1:1 ratio as more girls self-refer for testing. Second, girls show more internalized symptoms like anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem, which can be mistaken for other conditions. Third, girls are really good at masking or hiding their symptoms which makes ADHD harder to recognize.
Savannah’s daughter had significant emotional dysregulation which came out in her mood swings. She experienced frequent emotional ups and downs and struggled with frustration which made her irritable and sensitive. This led to arguments if things were not going her way. My testing also revealed she had difficulty with friendships. Her emotional dysregulation struggles affected her ability to maintain stable friendships. She had teammates but not one really close friend.
Early recognition and appropriate support can help girls learn to manage these challenges effectively. Consider getting yourself or your child tested if you are concerned about ADHD or struggle with difficulty focusing, forgetfulness, zoning out, trouble with organizing, impulsive decision making, or emotional dysregulation.
We test individuals ages 6 through 25 for ADHD. A great self-help resource is Raising Girls with ADHD by Mary Anne Richey. We also test students from age 2 through college for dyslexia, anxiety, depression autism, and more. Call us at (561) 625-4125 to discuss your child or learn more at www.JimForgan.com.
Jeff Beige
Melissa Dacunha, Davin Lau, Amanda Blanchard
Eric Emerson
Chris Letourneau
Rob Sommer, Andrew Lofholm, Holly Mlodzinski, Lisa Cook, Amanda Blanchard
Molly Leach
Tax Talk
Dear Friends:
The arrival of April means that the 2024 property tax season is a done deal, so hopefully everyone paid their taxes before the March 31 deadline. In addition, before the onslaught of the summer heat, we have a flurry of community events around this time that we look forward to participating in each year – one of which was the Jupiter Jubilee, which you will read more about in this issue.
This time of year also means our staff is embarking on our annual Journey to Good Health program that provides them with an opportunity to learn more about their individual health profile. We then help them, through oneon-one sessions with a licensed nutritionist, to set personal health goals to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Over the years, a good number of our employees, who have participated in the program have achieved amazing results. And the program is designed to reward those employees who meet standards for good health or who make progress toward their goals. I am very proud that we are able to offer this program to our employees and that we are committed to promoting good healthy lifestyles.
In closing, I want to take this time to wish you a Happy Easter and Happy Passover as you celebrate with friends and family.
Anne M. Gannon, Constitutional Tax Collector, Serving Palm Beach County
To Our Citizens …
Publishing our organization’s annual report is a huge undertaking each year.
Data for the report is gathered from many of our departments in order to accurately and fully detail our performance during the previous fiscal year. As you can imagine, this can be tedious when working with dollar amounts in the billions and servicing numbers in the hundreds of thousands. My team did a fantastic job pulling this together and I am pleased to present our “Report to Our Citizens” for fiscal year 2023-24.
This year’s report has been thoughtfully designed to present the data and information in an organized fashion to highlight the efforts and initiatives undertaken by my office. Among our areas of focus this past fiscal year were improving communication, continuing to enhance our online service, and expanding the convenience and availability of the vehicle registration renewal kiosks throughout the county.
There is a great deal of valuable information in this 16-page report and I encourage you to review it by visiting www.pbctax.gov/annual-report where you can also request a copy be mailed to you.
Faces Of The TCO: Joe Sverak
Title: Chief Information Officer
Hometown: Plantation, Florida
Favorite Activity: Four-wheeling
Favorite Food: Steak and Potatoes
Favorite Movie: Star Wars
Whether you transact with us in person, by mail or online, you are interacting with systems that have been put in place by our dedicated Information Technology (IT) team, a department that often goes unnoticed.
Joe Sverak, Chief Information Officer, oversees our IT department of 16 team members who manage and safeguard the stability of our equipment and technology, which includes everything from computers and software to the servers that keep
everything afloat. They are part of the fabric that binds the organization together. When asked about the role that he and his team play at the tax collector’s office (TCO) he said, “There is more to IT than just computers; there are a lot of moving parts behind the scenes, which means there are often several ways to do something, and I give my team the latitude to explore those options.”
Joe tells us that his approach to tackling challenges or problems is “taking the time to come together to understand the issue and make sure everyone is on the same page.” He emphasizes that computer security and improving staff experience are among his department’s top priorities.
When the topic of artificial intelligence arose, Joe had this to say, “AI can’t replace what our people do, but can accelerate our processes” noting that “the benefits outweigh the potential consequences with the proper policies and managed approach.”
With 13 years at the TCO and extensive experience, Joe was asked what career he would choose if he had not chosen IT, and he quickly answered, “an automotive mechanic.” Joe, we are glad that you chose IT and we value the integral part you and your team play for our organization’s success.
TCO In The Community
The Town of Jupiter is celebrating its 100th birthday this year and our organization took part in the Centennial Celebration by participating in the Jupiter Jubilee. This event is Jupiter’s biggest hometown celebration and the Town’s official birthday party! It was a great day of celebrating with our neighbors in the North County. TCO employees were on hand to answer questions about TCO services and distribute informational materials.
Thank you to our staff for volunteering their time to share their expertise with attendees. We all look forward to this event to provide outreach to our North County residents.
If you missed us at the Jubilee, visit us at these upcoming community events: Palm Beach Pride, March 29 and 30 at Bryant Park in Downtown Lake Worth Beach and the Black Gold Jubilee, April 12 at Torrey Island Campground in Belle Glade.
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office
Dear Taxpayer:
Happy Spring!
My office continues to work on the 2025 tax roll and make preparations for the release of the estimated 2025 taxable property values to the Palm Beach County taxing authorities at the end of May.
These preliminary estimates assist the county, municipalities, and other taxing authorities in projecting their budgets and tax rates and also provide a benchmark as to what revenue they can expect to receive from property taxes in the coming year.
After the taxing authorities have determined their budgets and proposed tax rates based on the preliminary estimates, my office will mail the TRIM notice, or Truth in Millage, to every property owner in August. This is the notice of proposed taxes that will detail the assessed value of your property, your proposed tax rates, and an estimate of your tax bill. Stay tuned. Also, as “Snowbird Season” comes to a close, we’ve included important information on short-term rental of a homesteaded property for those property owners who benefit from the homestead exemption and are considering renting all or a portion of their homesteaded property.
I hope you find this information beneficial and interesting. Respectfully, Dorothy Jacks, CFA, FIAAO, AAS, Palm Beach County Property Appraiser
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office Service Centers
While a vast array of services and information are available online 24/7 at pbcpao.gov, my office maintains five service centers, conveniently located throughout Palm Beach County and staffed by qualified professionals. They administer the homestead exemption, additional property tax exemptions, mailing address and ownership changes, portability applications and more.
2024 customer service by the numbers:
• Phone calls: 86,167, down 3% from 2023
• Counter visits: 27,232, down 4% from 2023
• E files: 15,835, nearly flat from 2023
• Total new homestead exemptions: 25,256, up 2% from 2023
• Portability applications: 6,401, down 7% from 2023
Main Office & Downtown Service Center
County Governmental Center
Main Office – 5th Floor
Downtown Service Center (Exemptions) – 1st Floor
301 North Olive Avenue, 5th Floor
West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561) 355-2866
South County Service Center 14925 Cumberland Drive
Delray Beach, FL 33446 (561) 276-1250
North County Service Center
3188 PGA Boulevard, 2nd Floor
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 (561) 624-6521
Short-Term Rental Of A Homesteaded Property
A provision in state law allows you to rent your home for a short time without affecting your homestead exemption. Florida law allows the following:
• Rental for 30 days or less per calendar year.
• Rental for more than 30 days and less than six months in one year. If you rent again the following year for more than 30 days, you will lose your homestead exemption.
• Rental on any day except January 1. If your home is rented on January 1, you will lose the homestead exemption. Rental for more than six months constitutes abandonment of a homestead exemption. Property owners are required to notify the Property Appraiser’s Office when their property no longer qualifies for exemption. Failure to do so could result in a homestead tax lien with substantial penalty and interest. Be aware of the law before deciding to rent your property. For more information, visit pbcpao.gov or contact Exemption Services at (561) 355-2866.
Florida Statute 196.061
Florida Statute 196.011 (9) (a)
