STARKE, Fla. – A local state representative and his wife have now paid more than $8,700 in back property taxes and interest.
After getting an anonymous tip in an email June 12, the Bradford County Property Appraiser found that Charles Van Zant and his wife improperly claimed a homestead exemption on a home in Keystone Heights.
Recommended Videos
The tip said the home had been receiving a homestead exemption even though no one had lived there for years.
Van Zant, a Republican, represents House District 19, which includes part of Clay County, as well as Putnam, Bradford and Union counties. He was first elected to the House in 2008.
READ: Letter to Van Zants about homestead exemption
After receiving the tip, the property appraiser started reviewing the case, and at the end of June, found Van Zant was not living at that address, and therefore was not entitled to the $25,000 a year homestead exemption.
The office sent Van Zant a letter saying it would be recovering taxes that should have been collected, going back to 2008.
The taxes ranged from $652 to $695 dollars a year, but with interest, the Van Zants owed more than $8,700. They sent in a check to pay the bill on July 23.
Van Zant is term-limited and can't run for re-election this year.
His wife is one of three Republicans seeking the seat and will be on the Aug. 30 ballot.