Court refuses to hear Florida homeowner tax case

The Florida Supreme Court has rejected a dispute to two state constitutional amendments that give primary Florida homeowners including homes in Miami.

On Monday, the justices refused to hear the appeals from homeowners including those that own homes in Miami, who argued the amendments give those who have owned their homes a longer time an unfair advantage.

The decision upheld a prior appeal court ruling. The two amendments were Save Our Homes that took effect in 1995 and Amendment 1 that was effective in 2008.

Annual property tax assessment increases are limited to 3% for primary homeowners through the Save Our Homes amendment. Amendment 1 has a "portability"' provision allowing those homeowners to take at least part of that tax break to a new home.

Contributed by MLR Realty