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Laws & Taxes

CFO Sink Encourages Floridians to Claim Earned Income Tax Credit and Undelivered Refunds

TALLAHASSEE, FL - January 29, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Florida CFO Alex Sink is urging Florida taxpayers to find out if they may be one of the estimated 10,000 Floridians who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a federal tax credit for low-income working individuals and families, on Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day 2010. Eligible Floridians are due back an estimated $15 billion, on top of what they already may be claiming on their taxes, if they all claimed the EITC.

Ros-Lehtinen Opposes Tax Increases In Tax Extenders Legislation; Says Bill Would Badly Hurt The Already Battered Commercial Real Estate Market

Washington, DC - December 14, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a senior member of the Florida Congressional Delegation, voted against the tax increases in the Tax Extenders Act of 2009, as these increases would harm the already-stressed commercial real estate market. The legislation includes a $24.6 billion permanent tax increase on investments in the midst of a recession

Florida Realtors Applaud the Extension, Expansion of Homebuyer Tax Credit

ORLANDO, FL - November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Potential homebuyers have even more incentive to purchase a Florida home, according to Florida Realtors, thanks to the extension and expansion of the federal $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit.

Meek Votes to Extend Critical Unemployment Benefits and First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit

WASHINGTON, DC - November 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Congressman Kendrick B. Meek today voted in favor of H.R. 3548, the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 to extend critical unemployment benefits for unemployed workers, expand and improve the homebuyer tax credit, and provide tax relief for military families and businesses. The legislation passed by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 402-12.

Klein Votes to Extend Homebuyer Tax Credits

Washington, DC - November 5, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Ron Klein (FL-22) today joined a bipartisan majority of his colleagues to support legislation that will strengthen South Florida’s economy. The bill, the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009 (H.R. 3548) has two critical provisions for our community. First, it extends tax credits for first-time homebuyers in order to continue to provide a crucial jolt to the real estate market and the South Florida economy. In addition, the bill supports local businesses by allowing a five-year carry-back on net operating losses.

Congresswoman Kosmas Helps Pass Legislation to Support Home Ownership among Our Troops

Washington, DC - October 8, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24) voted in favor of the Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act (H.R. 3590), which will make changes to home-buying provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to benefit active-duty servicemen and women currently, or soon to be, deployed overseas. The bipartisan legislation passed by a vote of 416-0.

Mack Votes to Extend Homebuyer Tax Credit for Servicemembers

WASHINGTON, DC - October 8, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Connie Mack (FL-14) praised unanimous passage of legislation in the House of Representatives today that will extend the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit for one year for qualifying U.S. servicemen and women.

Florida Initiative Advances Up to $8K to Help First-Time Homebuyers, Says Florida Association of Realtors

Florida Homebuyer Opportunity Program Runs Through Nov. 30. ORLANDO, FL - July 13, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Like thousands of first-time homebuyers around the state, Aaron Thorp is planning to take advantage of a new Florida economic stimulus initiative. Under the Florida Homebuyer Opportunity Program, eligible buyers can receive up to $8,000 in immediate assistance for a downpayment or closing costs, rather than wait to receive their federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers.

Tax Credit Gives Consumers 8,000 Reasons to Buy

February 25, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The new economic stimulus legislation signed into law by President Obama on Feb. 17 contains several provisions that will be beneficial for members – and help stimulate demand for housing.

FAR launches ‘Give Me 5 for Florida’s Future’ to support Amendment 5

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – July 22, 2008  – With the bipartisan support of State Reps. Frank Attkisson (R-Kissimmee) and Darryl Rouson (D-St. Petersburg), the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR) today launched its “Give Me Five for Florida’s Future” grassroots campaign supporting passage of Amendment 5 in the general election on Nov. 4, 2008.

Amendment 5 to have its day in court

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – If Florida voters pass Amendment 5 in November, property taxes will drop by 25-40 percent, but the amendment must first face a court challenge. A Tallahassee judge will hear arguments on Aug. 13, and the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR), which supports the amendment, anticipates a favorable ruling.

Lawsuit filed to keep Amendment 5 off ballot

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Opponents of Amendment 5 filed a lawsuit late Thursday claiming that it’s “misleading” and “reckless.”
However, FAR Vice President of Public Policy John Sebree says he doesn’t have a problem with the lawsuit, and it was expected. He “looks forward to a final ruling” so that FAR can move forward and “organize the education […]

Crist signs real estate bills into law

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Charlie Crist signed one of FAR’s top legislative initiatives yesterday: Florida’s “highest and best use” property assessment standard will become fairer on Sept. 1, 2008, under HB 909 by Rep. Peter Nehr (R-Tarpon Springs). Starting in September, the state will retain the “highest and best use” standard, but “best use” has […]

New law allows landlords to charge liquidated damages

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A Florida landlord can now charge liquidated damages or an early termination fee under a bill signed last week by Gov. Charlie Crist, even if the property is re-rented immediately. The bill is similar to one Crist vetoed last year.

Sinking dollar gives foreigners ‘upper hand’

MIAMI – March 11, 2008 – From atop any gleaming, half-sold condo project, South Florida’s housing market looks bleak.
Viewed from abroad, it looks brighter.