(a) Any individual aged 62 or older who is entitled to claim a homestead exemption may elect to defer payment of all or part of the ad valorem taxes levied on such individual's homestead by filing an annual application for tax deferral with the appropriate tax official on or before April 1 of the year for which the deferral is sought. If the homestead for which a deferral is requested has an assessed value for purposes of ad valorem taxation of $50,000.00 or more, the deferral may apply only to the taxes on that portion of the assessed value which is $50,000.00 or less.

(b) It shall be the burden of each applicant for a deferral to demonstrate affirmatively his compliance with the requirements of this part.