Lee County and the state has each filed liens (here and here) totaling $162,056 against Charles and Barbara Parsons for illegally receiving homestead exemptions from 2002 through 2006. The state lien seeks unpaid tourist development taxes, also known as bed taxes.
The liens include thousands in penalties and interest for the home at 14040 Schultz Road in south Fort Myers. The home is up for sale for $9,995,000, according to online listings.
"Villa Alorean."
Valued at $4.5 million by the county appraiser, the property’s homestead exemption allows for the Save Our Homes benefit that caps taxable value increases at 3 percent each year.
The riverfront home on Schultz Road in south Fort Myers is advertised online as the Villa Aloreon, an upscale private or corporate retreat costing as much as $19,500 per week. It’s also advertised online as the Buena Vista Center, where Barbara Parsons gives business seminars.
State law stipulates if a homeowner leaves during the rental period, and the residence is rented in consecutive years, the owners do not qualify for the homestead exemption.
The Lee County Property Appraiser’s Office said in November it planned to file $458,396 in liens against the couple for back taxes and penalties, far more than what was filed last month. Linda Anderson, director of the county appraiser’s Public Service Department, did not immediately return calls to clarify the difference.
– Ryan Lengerich
Tags: homestead fraud, local, watchdog
What about the County employee that got caught and tried to hide renting a property without notifying the Property Appraiser that the property was rented? When caught they tried to request public records to see who turned them in.
There are many more who have tried to break the law and will get caught.