The Shields Painting Difference: Perfection with Every Brush Stroke
Many painting companies in Florida rely on flashy marketing and big promises to try and attract new clients. But when it comes time to work, they fall short of their promises. This is often due to a lack of experience, qualified painters, and a drive to overachieve. At Shields Painting, we do things a little differently than other painting companies in Citrus County. We believe that a professional paint job should be as close to perfect as possible. Our goal is to leave you 100% satisfied, whether we're touching up an old residential paint job or performing a complex commercial project. It might sound simple, but we achieve that goal through honesty, hard work, beautiful results, and reasonable pricing.
As a family-owned and operated painting company in Sugarmill Woods, FL, we strive to provide personalized, professional, and friendly service. Shields Painting has been in business since 1968 for a good reason. Whenever possible, we go the extra mile to make sure our customers are happy. Unlike some of our competition, we want to know all about your house or business painting project: your vision, your preferences, your challenges, and your goals. When we understand your needs, we can present you with a fantastic final product - one that you're proud to show off to friends and neighbors.
At Shields Painting, we combine our extensive experience with time-tested, meticulous painting processes, resulting in the highest quality painting results around. As a painting contractor in Citrus County, we can take on a variety of residential, commercial, and industrial projects in Florida.
A few of our most popular painting services include:
- Interior Painting
- Exterior Painting
- Residential Painting
- Commercial Painting
- Cabinet Painting
- Ceiling Painting
- Fence Painting
- Sign Painting
- MUCH More!
Our commercial, industrial, and residential painting contractors take the proper steps to protect your property and belongings while we work. Our team will clean up after ourselves, so your property is left clean and free of debris when we're done. After all, we think there's only one way to do a job, and that's the right way.
Painting Services

Eco-friendly & clean work area.

PDCA Certified Member.

Your Go-To House Painting Company in Sugarmill Woods, FL
Your home is a haven of relaxation and solitude. It is uniquely you - a place where you can express who you are through style and design. Whether you need interior touch-ups for your crown molding or a new exterior coat of paint, hiring a reliable painting contractor is the best way to get quality results.
At Shields Painting, we know how important it is to have a home that highlights your tastes and personality. That's why we offer an extensive array of residential painting services in Citrus County. As tempting as it might be to try a DIY paint job, without the proper skills and experience, there is a good chance that the results will turn out less than satisfactory.
High-quality painting requires skill, experience, and patience. If you're a homeowner who needs residential painting services but doesn't have the time, patience, or skills to handle the job, look no further than Shields Painting. We offer accuracy, precision, and longevity with each paint job we perform. Our customers choose Shields Painting for their home because they receive:
- Free Quotes with Detailed Project Breakdowns
- Affordable Pricing
- Expert Painting Contractors
- High-Quality Paint Products
- Combo of Traditional and Modern Techniques
- Well-Maintained Tools
- Unmatched Craftsmanship
- Friendly, Personalized Service
- Good Old-Fashioned Hard Work!
The majority of our house painting services come in two forms: interior and exterior.
Interior Residential Painting
As an interior painting contractor with decades of experience, our expert technicians have developed an interior painting process that maximizes quality and emphasizes customer satisfaction. We understand that interior painting goes beyond aesthetics. It protects your ceilings and walls and helps you sustain a healthier place to live for your family. When only the finest craftsmanship will do inside your home, Shields Painting is here for you.
Our seasoned team of painting experts and craftsmen is dedicated to respecting your space and providing you with the look and feel you're craving inside your home. Whether you bought a new house and want to make it your own or need minor touch-ups but have no time, Shields Painting is ready to tackle the job, no matter how small or large.
Unlike some painting companies, our interior house painters take the time to get the details right, every time. For instance, color is only one aspect of your interior paint job. The paint sheen or finish is just as important. Certain finishes are better for living rooms and bedrooms than in kitchens and bathrooms. We'll help you find the right finish and paint colors for your home, so you don't have to worry about touch-ups or repainting.
Some of our most popular interior house painting services include:
- Ceiling Painting
- Popcorn Ceiling Removal
- Living Room Painting
- Bathroom Painting
- Basement Painting
- Color Consultations
- More

Cabinet Painting
Citrus County cabinet painting deserves its own section on this page because it requires more time, skill, and quality paint than most sections of your home. If your home's cabinets are built into its woodwork, replacing them can be obnoxiously expensive. Compared to the cost of installing new cabinets, painting your kitchen cabinets is much more affordable.
At Shields Painting, we specialize in transforming old cabinets into new, gorgeous features that are just as usable as they are beautiful. Each step of our cabinet painting process is meticulous and thorough. And we'll take care of the entire job, from cleaning, prep, and sanding to priming, painting, and reassembly. This unique service lets you enjoy a brand-new look in your kitchen without having to go into debt by replacing your cabinets.
Whether your cabinets are new, but you want to change their color or you'd like to transition wood cabinets to a painted finish, Shields Painting has the expertise and experience to give you a new look you'll love.

Exterior Residential Painting
Your home - it's a place that not only keeps your belongings safe. It protects your family and loved ones, too. It's one of your largest investments, and like anything else of value, it should be protected. However, Florida weather can take a toll on your home's structure and paint, lowering your home's value and even putting your family at risk.
While it's true that a beautiful exterior affects your house's value, it shouldn't take thousands of remodeling dollars to make a positive change to your home. There's a fine line between reasonable pricing and top-quality painting, and that sweet spot is what Shields Painting aims for. If you want to transform how your friends and neighbors see your home, never underestimate the power of a professional paint job.
Our exterior residential painting services are designed to boost curb appeal, give your home a fresh look, and help it stand up to Florida's unique weather. But we provide more than that. When you hire Shields Painting for your outdoor painting project, you will enjoy peace of mind in knowing that your home is in truly capable hands. Our goal is to exceed your expectations and help bring out the best in your property, whether you need to re-stain your deck or remove old, peeling paint from your siding.
If you're on the hunt for the very best exterior painting contractor in Sugarmill Woods, FL, look no further than Shields Painting.
Some of our most popular exterior house painting services include:
- Vinyl Siding Painting
- Deck Painting and Staining
- Stucco Exterior Painting
- Wood Exterior Painting
- Porch Painting and Staining
- Soffit Painting
- Fascia Painting
- Window Painting
- Front Door Painting
- Thorough Painting Prep
- More

The Premier Commercial Painting Company in Sugarmill Woods, FL
When it comes to first impressions, your businesses' appearance plays an important role. Your commercial property's paint job factors into its overall aesthetics. A great-looking, well-maintained paint job can mean the difference between a customer walking in your storefront and passing by. Conversely, an old, worn-out commercial paint job can send the wrong message to prospective customers. If you can't take the time to keep up your property's appearance, why would a customer spend their hard-earned money on your products?
The same goes for your businesses' interior paint. Would you want to do business with a company that has peeling paint or unsightly crown molding? At Shield's Painting, our goal is to create a beautiful environment that your customers and employees will love inside and out. When you work with our business painters, you can rest easy knowing we treat your business like it were our own. We always clean up after ourselves and know that operations cannot come to a halt just because we're painting. As such, we'll work with your busy schedule to ensure the job gets done right the first time without disrupting your day-to-day commitments.
With decades of commercial painting experience, we know the demands of a commercial painting project necessitate a disciplined and focused approach from the start. Our team of business painters is committed to delivering quality, on-time results on every project, every time - no excuses

We offer professional business painting services to a variety of building types, including:

01
Industrial Painting
A high level of care and finesse are required to effectively paint an industrial property. At Shields Painting, we know that industrial paint jobs involve much more than aesthetics. That's why our industrial services are customized to your specifications, using industrial-grade materials that stand up to heavy-duty operations.
02
Retail Store Painting
Our commercial painters apply effective, yet appealing interior and exterior paint that stand up to the daily rigors of busy retail environments.


03
Small Business Painting
Do you own a restaurant franchise? Have a small "mom and pop" location that needs a fresh coat of paint? Shields Painting has the resources and reliability to efficiently get the job done the first time. That way, you can focus on serving your customers, not having your business repainted.
04
Healthcare Location Painting
From walk-in clinics to long-term care facilities, Shields Painting is sensitive to your patients' needs. We know you must protect your patient's privacy while maintaining productivity. Our approach to healthcare location painting centers around your schedule to avoid disruptions in care.


05
Apartment Complex Painting
Erase signs of wear and make your apartment complex or multi-family building a more desirable place to live with a stunning, professional paint job.
Florida's Most Trusted Painting Contractor
Shields Painting has been in the business since 1968. In a world where so much has changed, we are proud to uphold the ideals that make us successful: hard, honest work, getting the job done right, and excellent customer service. Providing you with trustworthy, quality work will always take priority over rushing through a project to serve the next customer. That is just not the way we choose to do business.
As professionals dedicated to perfection, we strive to provide a unique painting experience for every customer - one that focuses on their needs and desires instead of our own. Whether you need residential painting for your home or commercial painting for your business, we encourage you to reach out today to speak with our customer service team. Whether you have big ideas about a new paint project or need our expertise and guidance, we look forward to hearing from you soon.

Free Consultation
Latest News in Sugarmill Woods, FL
Halloween happenings around the county
NANCY KENNEDYhttps://www.chronicleonline.com/news/local/halloween-happenings-around-the-county/article_b9ded36d-aa5d-5ae1-9cf8-7c7a04d6f306.html
Think ghoulies and ghosties and long-legged beasties and things that go bump in the night. Add jack-o-lanterns, hay rides, costume contests, bounce houses, games and, of course, lots and lots of candy and you have the makings of a weekend of Halloween fun.Here’s a sampling of activities and events to help you celebrate the festival of fright – if you dare.•••Wednesday, Oct. 26Diamond Ridge Health and Rehabilitation Center annual Trunk-or-Treat, 2730 W. Marc Knighton C...
Think ghoulies and ghosties and long-legged beasties and things that go bump in the night. Add jack-o-lanterns, hay rides, costume contests, bounce houses, games and, of course, lots and lots of candy and you have the makings of a weekend of Halloween fun.
Here’s a sampling of activities and events to help you celebrate the festival of fright – if you dare.
•••
Wednesday, Oct. 26
Diamond Ridge Health and Rehabilitation Center annual Trunk-or-Treat, 2730 W. Marc Knighton Court, Beverly Hills, beginning at 5 p.m., come out and trick-or-treat at the various decorated trunks and have your face painted.
Friday, Oct. 28
YMCA Fall Festival and Trunk-or-Treat from 5 to 8 p.m. the Citrus YMCA will host the seventh annual Fall Festival and Truck-or-Treat at the YMCA, 4127 West Norvell Bryant Highway, Lecanto. Enjoy games, bounce houses, food trucks and a costume contest to go with the trunks. Tickets are $5 per family and can be purchased at the Citrus YMC. Those interested in providing a trunk, contact Wayne Williams at gwilliams@suncoastymca.org for more information.
Boo Boo Bash Halloween event at the hospital. HCA Florida Citrus Hospital is presenting its second annual Boo Boo Bash event, a free and safe fun for families in Citrus County. The trunk-or-treat style event is from 5 to 8 p.m. in the hospital’s main parking lot located at 502 W. Highland Blvd., Inverness.
In addition to decorated trunks for trick-or-treating, attendees will enjoy fun treats and giveaways, DJ, coloring station and other activities, including a children’s costume contest.
Citrus County Fire Rescue and the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office will also be on-hand with emergency vehicles for children to explore.
Nature Coast Church Trunk or Treat from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. enjoy a night filled with hayrides, music, food and fun – and Trunk-or-Treating. The church is at 5113 S. Suncoast Blvd. Homosassa.
Calvary Church Harvest Night is back! Don’t miss this great night of fun for the entire family, including inflatables, carnival games, food, candy, prizes, an interactive hayride, and so much more. Best of all, admission is free. Food and snacks will be sold at a low cost. The event is from 6 to 10 p.m. at 2728 E. Harley St., Inverness.
Halloween Drive-Through in Homosassa by Family and Friends Reaching for Abilities (FFRA) presents its annual Halloween Drive-Through on Oct. 28 and 29. Gates open at 7 p.m. and the event is open until 10 p.m. Tickets are available at the gate, all cars $20 per vehicle. Log this address in the GPS: 6065 Sydney Terrace, Homosassa (off Cardinal Lane by Walmart), or find it located east of Howard’s Flea Market: Drive east on West Cardinal Street, turn left on South Lewdingar Drive, and follow the signs.
There are three prizes, $500, $300, and $200 to be awarded at their clubhouse, 1065 N. Paul Drive, Inverness, during a party afterwards
For more information and to volunteer for setup and security, call Maryellen Richmond at 352-422-1079, Robert DeSimone at 352-628-5606 or email iam4mentoring@aol.com.
Saturday, Oct. 29
American Legion Post 155 Halloween Trunk-or-Treat from 9 a.m. to noon, American Legion Post 155 invites the public to a Trunk-or-Treat event at the post, located at 6585 W. Gulf-to-Lake Hwy., Crystal River.
Open to the public. Bring the family.
First Presbyterian Church of Inverness Trunk-or-Treat will be from 4 to 7 p.m. at 206 Washington Ave., Inverness, across from Lake Henderson.
Old Homosassa Learning Center Halloween party at the Old Homosassa Learning Center from 5-7 p.m. at the Homosassa Civic Club, 5530 S. Mason Creek Road, Homosassa.
The free event features Trunk-or-Treating, a haunted house, craft stations, DJ, costume contest, and hot dogs.
LightUpCitrus has a free Halloween light show all month long nightly and a free Trunk-or-Treat night from 7 to 9 p.m. featuring special guests The Batman Of Spring Hill, Pirates with Shiver Me Pictures, Spring Hill’s “Michael Myers” and The Witch on Rose Ave available to pose for free photos with families, plus more than 20 volunteer Trunk-or-Treat vehicles to visit.
LightUpCitrus is at 745 N. Heathrow Drive, Lecanto.
The Nightmare on Pine Bluff Street is back.
The 21st annual super scream of “The Nightmare on Pine Bluff Street” will take place on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 7-10:30 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 31, from 7-9:30 p.m. at 8154 W. Pine Bluff St., Crystal River.
The haunted maze and graveyard are back after skipping last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Come out for a fun scare and good time. Bagged candy for the kids.
Money or non-perishable goods donations accepted for Citrus United Basket.
Sunday, Oct. 30
Pumpkin Patch, Trunk-or-Treat at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Hernando is having a Pumpkin Patch this year benefitting the S.O.S. Food Pantry.
Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are available for sale each day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
On Sunday, Oct. 30, the church will host a Trunk-or-Treat for the community from 3-6 p.m. All are invited to come by.
The church is at 439 E. Norvell Bryant Hwy., Hernando.
VFW Post 7122 offers Trunk-Or-Treat. Parents bring your children to VFW Post 7122 for Trunk-Or-Treat from 3 to 5 p.m.
In its second year, this is a time for the community to enjoy a safe Trunk-or-Treating event in the post’s secure parking lot with the veterans and their families.
The post is at 8191 S. Florida Ave. Floral City, FL 34436.
Gulf to Lake Church Trunk-or-Treat. Bring the kids from 3-5 p.m. for a fun time of Trunk-or-Treating. The church is at 1454 N. Gulf Ave., Crystal River.
Monday, Oct. 31
Downtown Inverness Cooterween event from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Downtown Inverness Business Partnership, city of Inverness and Florida Government is hosting a family-friendly Halloween event featuring: business-to-business trick-or-treating, costume contests, Witches and Warlocks Walk with Pine Street Pub and Twysted Vyne, Fit Full Force annual Haunted House, face painting and balloon artist at Ice Ice Baby Cafe, plus music with DJ Trae.
For more information, go online at www.inverness.gov.
Inverness UMC hosting Trunk-or-Treat from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Inverness United Methodist Church is hosting Trunk-or-Treat on the church grounds at 1140 Turner Camp Road, Inverness. Come one come all, costumes welcome. Families are welcome.
The Witch on Rose Avenue Halloween village – and more. Come by for candy, chills, thrills and a spooktacular time!
Witching hours are between 6-10 p.m. at 3219 S Rose Ave, Inverness. Take U.S. 41 S to Eden Drive/Moccasin Slough Road to South Rose Avenue.
Haunting on Pine Haunted House. They said our town was safe. They said emergency responders would be here soon. They never came, they were wrong... No one is safe! Escape the zombies or you could become their next meal!
Visit the Fit Full Force Fitness Studio Haunted House from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at 118 N. Pine Ave. Inverness. Admission is free.
Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Parent’s discretion is advised.
For information, call: 352-639-4348 or email fitfull force@gmail.com
St. Margaret Episcopal Church Trunk-or-Treat. Located near downtown Inverness, stop by for Trunk-or-Treating beginning at 6 p.m. The church is at 114 N Osceola Ave, Inverness.
Nancy Kennedy can be reached at 352-564-2927 or by email at nkennedy@chronicleonline.com.
Kissin' Cuzzins, Canadian Biopharma Company, Big Olaf: Business News
St. Pete, FL Patchhttps://patch.com/florida/stpete/kissin-cuzzins-canadian-biopharma-company-big-olaf-business-news
In other Tampa Bay-area business news: Largo pizzeria a front for drug house, new owners for Homosassa golf clubs, Big Olaf shops rebrand.TAMPA BAY, FL — Here's the latest restaurant, retail and other business news from the Tampa Bay region.2 Big Olaf Locations Leave Franchise, Rebrand With New Ice CreamFollowing a deadly listeria outbreak linked to Sarasota'...
In other Tampa Bay-area business news: Largo pizzeria a front for drug house, new owners for Homosassa golf clubs, Big Olaf shops rebrand.
TAMPA BAY, FL — Here's the latest restaurant, retail and other business news from the Tampa Bay region.
2 Big Olaf Locations Leave Franchise, Rebrand With New Ice Cream
Following a deadly listeria outbreak linked to Sarasota's Big Olaf Creamery, two locations have cut ties with the company and rebranded with new ice cream.
Canadian Biopharmaceutical Company Moves To Downtown St. Pete: EDC
Cybin, a publicly traded company based in Toronto, focuses on psychedelic-based treatments for depression, alcohol use and anxiety.
Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.
South Tampa Couple Purchase Homosassa Golf, Tennis Clubs
Links Golf in Tampa has acquired Sugarmill Woods Country Club, Southern Woods Golf Club and Oak Village Bath and Tennis Club, all in Homosassa, from the Cabot Group of Canada.
Largo Pizzeria A Front For Drug House, Says Pinellas Sheriff
Some customers at Brickhouse Pizza in Largo may have been getting a lot more than pepperoni with their pizza. The owner of the pizzeria has been accused of operating a drug house out of the restaurant, according to a news release from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
Run-Down Ruskin Motel Transformed Into Affordable Apartments
Catholic Charities used Hillsborough County funding to rehab and transform a dilapidated roadside motel into nontraditional housing.
Kissin' Cuzzins: St. Pete Eatery That Opened In 1961 Hits The Market
An iconic St. Petersburg restaurant dating back to the 1960s has hit the market. The owners of Kissin' Cuzzins are asking $2.49 million for both the business and its property at 951 34th Street N.
Other Tampa Bay-area business news:
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
U.S. 19 road projects slated to wrap up in 2023
Michael Bateshttps://www.chronicleonline.com/news/local/u-s-19-road-projects-slated-to-wrap-up-in-2023/article_ff35108d-d86d-52da-a5cf-bab223dbb61c.html
All three sections of the U.S. 19 widening and resurfacing projects from Homosassa to Crystal River are still scheduled to finish in 2023.The Chronicle asked the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for details about what’s been done recently and what’s coming up. Here’s what it said:U.S. 19 resurfacing, trail, and sidewalk project from the Hernando County line to West Green Acres StreetThis project will repave U.S. 19/U.S. 98 (Suncoast Blvd.) between the Hernando County line and West Green Acr...
All three sections of the U.S. 19 widening and resurfacing projects from Homosassa to Crystal River are still scheduled to finish in 2023.
The Chronicle asked the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for details about what’s been done recently and what’s coming up. Here’s what it said:
U.S. 19 resurfacing, trail, and sidewalk project from the Hernando County line to West Green Acres Street
This project will repave U.S. 19/U.S. 98 (Suncoast Blvd.) between the Hernando County line and West Green Acres Street in Citrus County – about 6.8 miles. A northbound right turn lane will be added at Cardinal Street and left turn lanes will be constructed at various median openings within the project limits.
A new 10-foot wide multi-use trail is being built on the east side of U.S. 19 and a 5-foot wide sidewalk is being constructed on the west side of the highway.
The $20.1-million project started in January 2021 and is expected to finish in spring 2023.
Watson Civil, the contractor, has completed about 95 percent of the storm drainage and roughly 85 percent of concrete sidewalk has been installed along the west side of the corridor.
Over the last few months, the contractor has been handling sinkhole/void repairs in several areas. Including grouting five holes.
Over the next few months, “we anticipate seeing an increase in production largely due to the asphalt milling and resurfacing scheduled to start in mid-November,” FDOT spokeswoman Kris Carson said.
Carson said FDOT is “anticipating having the shared-use path along the east side of the corridor completed in early 2023.”
Change orders since replacement contractors began work include three work orders: Uninterruptible Power Supply Controllers, $15,817.62; Additional Clearing and Grubbing, $18,150. additional maintenance of traffic signs, $810.
Eight work orders are in process for depression/sinkhole repairs. No confirmed amounts yet.
For more details, visit https://tinyurl.com/yfdn5zmm.
U.S. 19 Widening from West Green Acres Street to South Jump Court
U.S. 19 is being widened 2.1 miles along that stretch. It’s expanding from four lanes to a six and will have bike lanes, paved shoulders and a sidewalk.
The $32.7-million project started in November 2016 and is expected to finish in spring 2023.
Over the last three months, crews worked on the various ponds along that stretch.
Coming up, a clay liner will be installed at pond 4; continued day and night lane closures for asphalt and drainage pipe repairs.
No change orders since contractor began work.
For more details, visit https://tinyurl.com/3wuccs7f.
Jump Court to Fort Island Trail
That stretch is being widened 4.7 miles from four lanes to six lanes. A shared-use path, sidewalks, and stormwater ponds will be built with the road widening.
The $51.9-million project started in November 2018 and expected to finish in late 2023
U.S. 19 widening from South Jump Court to West Fort Island Trail.
Projected completion: Late 2023.
Work activities the past three months include earthwork, storm drainage construction, installation of concrete curb & gutter and concrete driveways, signalization, paving, and sodding.
The above work will continue for the next three months. Northbound traffic will shift from the new roadway from West Dixieland Street to West Fort Island Trail. Day and night lane closures will continue.
Four change orders since the replacement contractor began work, all totaling $206,802.61 for void repairs.
For more details, visit https://tinyurl.com/ 4mzxnh7p.
Michael D. Bates is a staff writer with the Citrus County Chronicle and can be reached at mbates@chronicleonline.com.
Editorial l Simpson proposes restriction on foreign control of Florida land
Chronicle Onlinehttps://www.chronicleonline.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-l-simpson-proposes-restriction-on-foreign-control-of-florida-land/article_ea5a5897-5fc2-5f8d-b70b-a12eeeee8d9e.html
THE ISSUE: Chinese and other foreigners are buying Florida ag land. OUR OPINION: Possible threat to food supply, water quality, and national security.A few months ago, the news rocked the region that a Chinese-based firm had purchased 1,400 acres in Levy County for an intended primate quarantine and breeding center. There were immediate, and highly negative, reactions from citizens in both Citrus and Levy counties and statewide, extending to Tallah...
A few months ago, the news rocked the region that a Chinese-based firm had purchased 1,400 acres in Levy County for an intended primate quarantine and breeding center. There were immediate, and highly negative, reactions from citizens in both Citrus and Levy counties and statewide, extending to Tallahassee. The event even made national news. As it turns out, however, those uses are not allowed in the parcel’s zoning district.
This is just a nearby example of something that worries Gov. Ron DeSantis and incoming Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson (who has been Citrus County’s state senator and president of the Senate). Simpson has proposed legislation to be called “Florida’s Strategic Land Plan.” It would restrict the purchase, acquisition, lease, or holding of controlling interest in Florida agricultural land by “nonresident aliens, foreign businesses and corporations, or foreign governments.”
In a recent press conference, Simpson tied his concerns to food, water and national security. He worries that foreign governments could buy agricultural land and erase the need to buy from our farmers, or even use it to inflate our food costs. “They could buy prime farmland and just shut it down,” he said. “If you don’t have the ability to grow your own food, you don’t have the ability to control your own fate.”
Simpson said China’s buying spree in Florida leaves “our food supply chain, our water quality and our national security interests vulnerable to the Chinese Communist Party. Restricting foreign control of Florida’s agricultural land and key strategic military land will protect our state, provide long-term stability and preserve economic freedom.”
China is not the only international owner. In 2020, a U.S. Department of Agriculture report noted that 6 percent of agricultural land in Florida was held by foreign interests. Now some 1.3 million acres of Florida ag land are under foreign ownership. Florida accounts for 24 percent of all international real estate purchases in the U.S.
Gov. DeSantis signed an executive order in September banning government entities from obtaining technology products and services from companies associated with “foreign countries of concern.” That list includes China. He also proposed legislation that would prevent companies from those countries from purchasing land near U.S. military bases, as happened in South Dakota. DeSantis has, according to his office, been “consistently opposed to the Chinese Communist Party’s growing influence in Florida.”
Simpson and DeSantis are taking steps now to ensure that Florida’s food and water resources are not “taken hostage” by foreign powers. We applaud their actions.
Do you have questions about your homestead exemption?
Chronicle Onlinehttps://www.chronicleonline.com/opinion/columnists/do-you-have-questions-about-your-homestead-exemption/article_784e7400-7f1b-5e32-b915-ea2e161774e6.html
Have you filed for Homestead Exemption yet?? If not, act fast! The deadline to apply for the homestead exemption is March 1. You can file on our website at citruspa.org or come into either of our two offices in Inverness or Crystal River. Our customer service team is available to assist you with any questions you may have.So, what is homestead exemption?In the State of Florida, a $25,000 exemption is applied to the first $50,000 of your property’s assesse...
Have you filed for Homestead Exemption yet?? If not, act fast! The deadline to apply for the homestead exemption is March 1. You can file on our website at citruspa.org or come into either of our two offices in Inverness or Crystal River. Our customer service team is available to assist you with any questions you may have.
So, what is homestead exemption?
In the State of Florida, a $25,000 exemption is applied to the first $50,000 of your property’s assessed value if your property is your permanent residence and you owned the property on Jan. 1 of the tax year. This exemption applies to all taxes, including school district taxes. An additional exemption of up to $25,000 will be applied if your property’s assessed value is between at least $50,000 and $75,000. This exemption is not applied to school district taxes. The homestead exemption includes an additional benefit called the “Save our Homes Cap”. This benefit will limit the annual increase of the assessed value to 3 percent or the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is less. Over time this “Save Our Homes” cap may result in quite the difference in your Market Value vs. Assessed Value.
One thing to remember is, when a property is sold the homestead exemption is removed, the assessed value increases to the just/market value for the new year. This scenario is something we hear about frequently from homebuyers. That they weren’t aware that the tax amount would increase so dramatically, or they didn’t know they had to file for their own homestead exemption. Now, if you choose to not homestead your property, keep in mind that you will not benefit from that 3 percent limitation. Instead, all non-homesteaded properties annual assessment can increase up to 10 percent each year.
Over the last year we have made it a priority to showcase the homestead exemption as much as possible. We have even met with multiple realtors offices, holding a property appraiser informational training session for them. Our hope is that we could give the agents as much information as possible in order for them to better assist their buyers and sellers with explaining homestead or the tax amount change.
In addition to meeting with real estate agents, we post multiple social media posts on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. If you don’t follow our Citrus County Property Appraiser Office social media pages, we encourage you to do so. This month we are dedicating one week of social media posts regarding our Customer Service department and different information topics each day about that department.
We also have multiple online brochures on our website that all realtors or title companies can print off and provide to the public free of charge. We now offer an e-newsletter that each month talks about homestead exemption, as well as many other informative topics that relate to our office. In February and June each year, our office mails out “new homeowner cards” to every residential parcel that has new ownership to remind them to file for their homestead exemption. Those are just a handful of ways we try to reach the public and let all homeowners know to file for the homestead exemption.
What do I need to file for a homestead?
For starters you must have legal or beneficial title, and be residing in the home as of Jan. 1, 2023. When filing for the homestead exemption, you will need the following documents for all property owners applying. Florida Driver’s License/Florida ID Card, Florida Vehicle Registration (if you drive), & Florida Voter Registration (if you vote). Documents should reflect the address of your homesteaded property. In addition, your Social Security card/number, immigration documents if not a U.S. citizen, are the basics that will be required.
If you are married and your spouse is not an owner on the property, we will still require their information as well. Now, if your spouse has a homestead exemption on their home and you want to apply for a homestead at your residence, unfortunately that won’t work. A married couple is only entitled to receive one homestead exemption per the Constitution of The State of Florida, Article VII, Section 6 (b).
‘I already have a homestead exemption’
That’s great! Then you do not need to reapply for that exemption each year. We will renew your exemption(s) annually as long as you still qualify for them. Florida Statute 196.011 (9)(b) requires the owner to notify the Property Appraiser’s office whenever the use of the property or the status or condition of the owner changes so as to change the exempt status of the property. A “no longer qualified” status may be due to the property being rented, is no longer your permanent residence, or there is a change in ownership due to a sale, marriage, divorce, death.
Our office makes every effort to ensure the homeowners of Citrus County understand the exemption process. The staff at the Citrus County Property Appraiser’s office are always available to answer any questions you may have in both of our offices, or chat with us during business hours on our live chat feature online at www.citruspa.org.
Cregg E. Dalton is the Citrus County Property Appraiser
Disclaimer:
