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Ocala and
North Central Florida Information |
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Florida
QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau
Information:
Marion County, Florida | Elected
Officials
Information:
Levy County, Florida | Elected
Officials
About Ocala
The United States purchased Florida from Spain for
$5,000,000 in 1819. Andrew Jackson, military
commander of the territory, took part in the formal
transfer at Pensacola on July 17, 1821. Florida was
admitted to the Union as the 27th state on March 3, 1845.
While Florida's overall metropolitan area
performance slipped this year, Ocala still managed to move
from thirteenth place to the top position in the 2007
Best-Performing Cities Index (Source: Milken
Institute). According to the Milken Institute, Ocala
"owes its position to consistent, top-ten growth
rankings across specific categories, such as wages and
technology output ... unlike many other Florida metros,
Ocala has greater dependence on the manufacturing
industry..."
To Become a
Legal Resident
The following actions by you will serve to establish
you as a legal resident of Florida: File a
Declaration of Domicile at the office of the Circuit Court
or register to vote as the Voter Registration Office.
About Voting
You may vote in national, state, county and municipal
elections if you are a citizen of the United States of
America, 18 years of age or older, and registered to
vote. Registration may be done at the county
Supervisor of Elections office. The registration
books are closed 30 days prior to an election. You
cannot be a voter in another state.
Marion
County Supervisor of Elections
Levy
County Supervisor of Elections
Homestead
Exemption (eligibility)
$25,000 Homestead Exemption - On January 1st you must
have owned and occupied the property as your permanent
legal residence.
$500 Widows' Exemption - On January 1st you must have been
an un-remarried widow.
$500 Disability Exemption - On January 1st you must have
been disabled for one of the following reasons: (1)
Blind, (2) a veteran disabled 10% or more by war of
service-connected misfortune, or (3) a permanent resident
totally and permanently disabled. Consult the
Property Appraiser as to written doctors' certifications
which must be submitted prior to receiving this
exemption.
If you are applying for any exemption for the first time,
you must contact the Property Appraiser's office and be
prepared to attest under oath as to the length of your
permanent Florida residency. By law, the absolute
deadline for filing for the current year is March 1st.
Real Estate Tax
The Real Estate tax is a combination of city, county
(some have hospital, district fire and flood control), and
school taxes and based on 100% of the appraisal value of a
property, either business or residential, and will vary
according to location, type of construction and, if
residential property, as to allowance of Homestead,
Widows' or Disability Exemptions. The tax year runs
with the calendar year. Real Estate taxes are due
and payable November 1st of the current year, subject to
discounts as follows: During November, 4%; December,
3%, January, 2%; February, 1%; and March, Net. Taxes
are delinquent as of April 1st of each year and carry an
increasing penalty of non-payment and sale.
Marion
County Property Appraiser
Levy
County Property Appraiser
Florida
Property Appraisers
Income Tax
The State of Florida has no state income tax but it
does have a corporate tax. State sales tax is 6%
with food purchased in grocery stores, medicine and
professional service exempt.
Estate Tax
Residents of the State of Florida have no state
inheritance tax unless they are subject to a Federal
Estate Tax, in which case the Florida inheritance tax is
limited to an amount allowed as a deduction from the
Federal Estate Tax.
Taxable
Intangibles
The Intangible Tax is divided into two
classifications:
(1) covers stocks, bonds, etc., at $1.00 per thousand.
(2) covers accounts receivable, mortgages outside of the
state, annuities, etc., at 2 mils for each dollar.
State
Documentary Tax
State Documentary Tax is in the form of a stamp placed
on documents such as notes at the rate of $.15 per $100
and on deeds at the rate of $.50 per $100.
If You Go Into
Business
If you operate under a trade name, you must publish a
notice in a local newspaper once a week for four
consecutive weeks. If your business is located
within the city limits, you will have to secure a City
Occupational License from City Hall. Additionally,
you need a county license, which can be secured form the
county Tax Collector's Office. City and County
Occupational Licenses expire September 30th of each year.
Marion
County Tax Collector
Levy
County Tax Collector
List
of Florida Tax Collectors
Schools
Proof of residency, birth and vaccinations plus a
physical examination by a physician are required to enroll
in public schools. Proper forms may be obtained from
the county's Board of Health.
Marion
County Public Schools
Levy
County Public Schools |
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