Animal Regulations All dogs and cats require vaccination against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Evidence of vaccination shall consist of a "Rabies Vaccination and License Certificate" and a tag attached to the animal's collar.    http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/speciesstatutes/stspdog.htm

Automobile Insurance Florida law requires that upon establishing residency, residents must have liability and PIP insurance on all their vehicles. Minimum requirements are $10,000 for liability and PIP.

Automobile License Plates  Anyone with a vehicle is required to have a Florida automobile tag immediately upon residence or employment or upon placing a child in school.  To register your vehicle, you will need title, car registration, proof of Florida insurance and an auto emissions test.  $25.00± Frostproof            1-863-678-4160  Haines City          1-863-421-3202 Kissimmee           1-407-343-4000

Boat Registration  All Florida boats with motors (regardless of size) and used in fresh or salt water must be titled, registered with the County Tax Collector’s Office, and issued a decal which must be affixed to the PORT side of the boat. Registrations are renewed annually during June. Fees vary according to the length of the boat. Newcomers from out of state should bring their title and/or registration. Valid boat registration in another state does not require a Florida license if used here for less than 90 days. Florida registration and title application must be made within 20 days of purchase of a new or used boat. Boat registration is handled through the vehicle registration offices. Lakeland             1-863-499-2320 Lake Hamilton     1-863-421-3201

Drivers License   New residents must obtain a Florida driver’s license within 30 days of establishing residency, registering to vote, or placing a child in school.   If you are changing addresses within the state, you have ten days to notify the department. A new license is required for any driver who becomes a resident of Florida, is employed in Florida, or registers a child in a Florida public school. State law requires applicants to take three tests: Vision. Written. Driving… even if you already have a valid driver's license from another state. Go to https://www6.hsmv.state.fl.us/dlcheck/findcustomer and register your emergency contact info. Lake Wales:      1-863-678-4160

Establishing Florida Residency  One of the most important steps for newcomers is to establish residency. Legal residency in Florida may be established in one of two ways: Filing a Declaration of Domicile at the Clerk of Circuit Court Office. Registering to vote at the Supervisor of Elections Office. The process is very simple. Just stop by one of the multiple locations throughout the county or call your Voters Registration Office for further information.

Filing for Florida Homestead Exemption The Homestead Act is a unique feature of Florida Law which provides that legal residents who meet certain requirements are granted a $25,000 exemption on the assessed evaluation of one’s principal residence (six month minimum). Florida has no state income tax. There is a sales tax; intangible assets tax on stocks, bonds & securities; and tax on tangible property used in business. If you bought a home last year and claim Florida as your residence, it's time to apply for your $25,000 Homestead Exemption.  Anyone who wants to claim the tax break on a home purchased last year must apply by March 1.   As a Florida resident, you are eligible to declare the first $25,000 of assessed value on your new home as exempt for tax purposes, thereby reducing the cost of your ad valorem tax bill.   Your home qualifies for exemptions:   1.  If bought before December 15 and made your permanent residence before January 1. 2.  If it is not rented. 3.  Claimed under any other exemptions.  In order to apply for Homestead Exemption, you need to apply in person to the County Appraiser's Office with proof of Florida residency (voter registration or Declaration of Domicile), social security number, copy of deed, tax bill, a valid Florida driver's license and a Florida registration and title on any motor vehicles owned.

Resident Emergency Contact The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles now offers an emergency contact information registration. In the event that you are injured in an accident and unable to speak, the officers will type your driver's license number into their computer and, if you have registered your emergency contact information the DHSMV website, they will pull up your contact information immediately. By having access to this information at the accident site, they are able to save precious time by contacting someone who can make decisions about your care. If you live by yourself or have teenagers that drive, it is even more important to register. If you have elderly parents/relatives who are still driving, this is also probably critical for them as well. The process is quick and easy and you are allowed to enter two emergency contacts. The only downside is the site only allows those with Florida driver's licenses or Florida I.D. cards to register.  It takes 2 minutes or less. Go ahead and do it. It’s is a good thing! Just go to the website below. https://www6.hsmv.state.fl.us/dlcheck/findcustomer

Seat Belt Law  Florida Law requires that all passengers in the front seat of a vehicle wear seat belts.  Drivers will be held responsible and fined for passengers who are age 15 and below in the front seat not wearing safety belts; 16 and above passengers in the front seat not wearing safety belts are fined.  Children 3 and younger must be transported in a crash-tested, federally approved child restraint device. The driver is also responsible for all occupants obeying the law.

Sewage  Polk County Utilities                1-800-301-6039       $31.95± per Month

Supervisor of Elections  You must be a US Citizen and 18 years old by election day to register to vote.  Proof of residency is not required, but some form of local identification is needed.  To vote in an election, registration must be made at least 30 days before election day.

Tax Benefits for Homeowners  We all know the old adage about nothing being certain except death and taxes. However, on a more positive note, you can also be certain of tax benefits if, that is, you are a homeowner. Purchasing a home can provide valuable tax savings to homebuyers. Mortgage interest, property tax, and other payments associated with financing a home can apply to your tax deductions. They may decrease the amount of income tax you must pay to the federal government. Another financial advantage to owning a home is that as you begin to pay off your mortgage loan, you build equity in your property. In other words, the value of your home can increase as your total mortgage amount decreases over time. For those who rent, the tax savings of ownership go to the landlord, not to the tenants. Wouldn't you rather build equity for yourself every month instead of paying someone else and giving away "your" tax savings?  Additional Advantages of Homeownership Scheduled Savings - When you are a homeowner, your monthly mortgage payments serve as a type of savings plan. Over time you will accumulate what lenders call "equity," an ownership interest in your house that you may be able to borrow against or convert to cash by selling the house. Stable Housing Costs - While rents typically increase year after year, the principal and interest portion of most mortgage payments remains unchanged for the entire repayment period. Because of the effect of inflation, you pay the same amount with ever "cheaper" dollars. Increased Value - Houses typically increase in value over time. It's not unusual for a house that sold fifteen years ago to be valued at much more than its selling price today. This increased value is as good as money in the bank to the homeowner. Substantial Tax Breaks Florida citizens enjoy unmatched tax "breaks". There is no tax on personal income or lifetime gifts. There is no inheritance tax. The seven-percent sales tax is not applicable to food, medicines, dentures, eyeglasses or medical services.

Tax Millage  Polk County                          1-863-534-4700       17.9220