The following is a response from Mike Hill’s Campaign Manager Tamara Fountain.
Mr. Hill did not claim his wife owns the Marcus Point Home. He said his wife is on the deed. He rents a condo in his district. His Marcus Point Home is his permanent residence. He spends time in both homes. He has not claimed he has two primary residences. He only receives one homestead tax exemption on his permanent residence. He has also owned a State Farm Agency in his district for 16 years. He is living and working in his district which meets the residency requirements for serving in the House of Representatives. This is the reason the House certified his residency.
A(196.031 (1) of Florida Statutes recognizes that the owner of property may claim a homestead exemption without the necessity of physical presence on the property. The statute provides that if the property is the permanent residence of another or others legally or naturally dependent upon such person, the property owner may be eligible for a homestead tax exemption without regard to whether the property owner resides on the property.
