Florida Homestead Exemption
You bought the home. Now make sure you understand one of Florida’s most important property tax benefits for permanent residents.
Your Florida home may qualify for valuable property tax benefits.
Florida’s Homestead Exemption can reduce the taxable value of an eligible permanent residence. Homesteaded property may also qualify for Florida’s Save Our Homes assessment limitation, which can provide additional long-term property tax benefits.
What is the Florida Homestead Exemption?
Florida provides property tax benefits to qualifying property owners who own and occupy their Florida property as their permanent residence.
The Homestead Exemption reduces a property’s taxable value. The initial portion applies to all property taxes, while an additional inflation-adjusted exemption may apply to certain non-school property taxes.
You may qualify if:
- You hold legal or qualifying beneficial title to the Florida property.
- The property is your permanent residence.
- You established the property as your permanent residence by January 1 for the tax year being claimed.
- You meet the residency and documentation requirements of your county property appraiser.
How to Apply
Homestead Exemption is administered locally. Your application is submitted to the property appraiser in the Florida county where your home is located.
What should I have available?
Requirements can vary by county and individual circumstances, but your property appraiser may ask for information supporting your ownership and Florida residency.
- Florida driver license or Florida identification card
- Florida vehicle registration or license plate information
- Florida voter registration information, if applicable
- Social Security numbers for applicants when required
- Date Florida residency was established
- Prior residence information
- Property address and ownership information
- Other residency documentation requested by your county property appraiser
Save Our Homes & Portability
Homestead Exemption can provide benefits beyond the initial exemption from taxable value.
Save Our Homes
Beginning after a property qualifies for Homestead Exemption, Florida’s Save Our Homes law limits annual increases in the assessed value of qualifying homestead property, subject to applicable law.
Moving from another Florida homestead?
You may also be eligible for portability. Portability can allow an eligible homeowner to transfer all or part of the Save Our Homes assessment difference from a previous Florida homestead to a new Florida homestead.
Portability is not automatic. Eligible homeowners generally file Form DR-501T together with the Homestead Exemption application for the new property.
Homestead Exemption does not automatically transfer from the seller to the buyer. If the property will be your permanent residence, review the filing requirements with your county property appraiser and submit your own application when eligible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does The Closing Agent file my Homestead Exemption?
No. Homestead Exemption is a property tax matter handled by the property appraiser in the county where your property is located. The homeowner is responsible for completing the applicable application.
Is Homestead Exemption automatic when I buy a home?
No. Purchasing and occupying a home does not automatically establish the exemption. Eligible property owners must apply through their county property appraiser.
What is the deadline to file?
The standard Florida filing deadline is March 1 of the tax year for which the exemption is being requested. Contact your county property appraiser promptly if you believe you missed a filing deadline because additional procedures may apply.
Can I claim Homestead Exemption on a second home or investment property?
Homestead Exemption is generally associated with your permanent Florida residence. Vacation homes, rental properties and other properties that are not your permanent residence ordinarily do not qualify for the exemption.
What happens if I move?
Florida Homestead Exemption
You bought the home. Now make sure you understand one of Florida’s most important property tax benefits for permanent residents.
Your Florida home may qualify for valuable property tax benefits.
Florida’s Homestead Exemption can reduce the taxable value of an eligible permanent residence. Homesteaded property may also qualify for Florida’s Save Our Homes assessment limitation, which can provide additional long-term property tax benefits.
What is the Florida Homestead Exemption?
Florida provides property tax benefits to qualifying property owners who own and occupy their Florida property as their permanent residence.
The Homestead Exemption reduces a property’s taxable value. The initial portion applies to all property taxes, while an additional inflation-adjusted exemption may apply to certain non-school property taxes.
You may qualify if:
- You hold legal or qualifying beneficial title to the Florida property.
- The property is your permanent residence.
- You established the property as your permanent residence by January 1 for the tax year being claimed.
- You meet the residency and documentation requirements of your county property appraiser.
How to Apply
Homestead Exemption is administered locally. Your application is submitted to the property appraiser in the Florida county where your home is located.
What should I have available?
Requirements can vary by county and individual circumstances, but your property appraiser may ask for information supporting your ownership and Florida residency.
- Florida driver license or Florida identification card
- Florida vehicle registration or license plate information
- Florida voter registration information, if applicable
- Social Security numbers for applicants when required
- Date Florida residency was established
- Prior residence information
- Property address and ownership information
- Other residency documentation requested by your county property appraiser
Save Our Homes & Portability
Homestead Exemption can provide benefits beyond the initial exemption from taxable value.
Save Our Homes
Beginning after a property qualifies for Homestead Exemption, Florida’s Save Our Homes law limits annual increases in the assessed value of qualifying homestead property, subject to applicable law.
Moving from another Florida homestead?
You may also be eligible for portability. Portability can allow an eligible homeowner to transfer all or part of the Save Our Homes assessment difference from a previous Florida homestead to a new Florida homestead.
Portability is not automatic. Eligible homeowners generally file Form DR-501T together with the Homestead Exemption application for the new property.
Homestead Exemption does not automatically transfer from the seller to the buyer. If the property will be your permanent residence, review the filing requirements with your county property appraiser and submit your own application when eligible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does The Closing Agent file my Homestead Exemption?
No. Homestead Exemption is a property tax matter handled by the property appraiser in the county where your property is located. The homeowner is responsible for completing the applicable application.
Is Homestead Exemption automatic when I buy a home?
No. Purchasing and occupying a home does not automatically establish the exemption. Eligible property owners must apply through their county property appraiser.
What is the deadline to file?
The standard Florida filing deadline is March 1 of the tax year for which the exemption is being requested. Contact your county property appraiser promptly if you believe you missed a filing deadline because additional procedures may apply.
Can I claim Homestead Exemption on a second home or investment property?
Homestead Exemption is generally associated with your permanent Florida residence. Vacation homes, rental properties and other properties that are not your permanent residence ordinarily do not qualify for the exemption.
What happens if I move?
The exemption itself does not simply transfer to your new home. You must apply for Homestead Exemption on the new property. However, if you previously had a Florida homestead, you may be eligible to transfer some or all of your Save Our Homes assessment difference through portability.
Are other property tax exemptions available?
Yes. Depending on individual circumstances, Florida law provides additional property tax benefits for certain seniors, veterans, disabled persons, surviving spouses, active-duty military members and others. Your county property appraiser can determine which exemptions may apply.
Ready to File?
Homestead applications are handled by your local county property appraiser. Use the Florida Department of Revenue’s county directory to locate the office serving your property.
Find Your County Property AppraiserHelping You Navigate What Comes Next
At The Closing Agent, our relationship with our customers doesn’t end when the documents are signed. We believe a great closing experience includes helping Florida property owners understand the important steps that follow homeownership.
TRUSTED. COMMITTED. ACCURATE.
The information provided is not intended to constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. You should not act on or refrain from acting based on the information provided without first consulting with your legal and/or tax counsel.
The exemption itself does not simply transfer to your new home. You must apply for Homestead Exemption on the new property. However, if you previously had a Florida homestead, you may be eligible to transfer some or all of your Save Our Homes assessment difference through portability.
Are other property tax exemptions available?
Yes. Depending on individual circumstances, Florida law provides additional property tax benefits for certain seniors, veterans, disabled persons, surviving spouses, active-duty military members and others. Your county property appraiser can determine which exemptions may apply.
Ready to File?
Homestead applications are handled by your local county property appraiser. Use the Florida Department of Revenue’s county directory to locate the office serving your property.
Find Your County Property AppraiserHelping You Navigate What Comes Next
At The Closing Agent, our relationship with our customers doesn’t end when the documents are signed. We believe a great closing experience includes helping Florida property owners understand the important steps that follow homeownership.
TRUSTED. COMMITTED. ACCURATE.
The information provided is not intended to constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. You should not act on or refrain from acting based on the information provided without first consulting with your legal and/or tax counsel.