Florida Homestead Exemption

The homestead exemption for real property tax purposes provides an owner of property with a $25,000.00 reduction from the assessed value of the property thereby currently reducing the amount of real property taxes by approximately $650.00 each year. Since real property taxes are paid in arrears in Florida, this type of homestead exemption is only available if the owner is the permanent resident of residential property as of December 31 of the prior year and owner makes application for the exemption at the property appraiser's office on or before March 1 of the following year. If you are widowed or permanently disabled, you may be entitled to an additional reduction from the assessed value of the property.

In order to file you will need the following:

1. Copy of the Recorded Deed
2. Social Security Number of all applicants
3. Proof of Permanent Residency if you are not a U.S. Citizen
4. Death Certificate if filing for a widow or widower exemption

1. Florida Driver's License (valid in Florida-only licenses do not qualify)
2. Florida Vehicle Registration
3. Florida Voter's Registration
4. Declaration of Domicile (if you do not own or drive a vehicle)

When and where do I file for my exemptions?

New applications for the Homestead, Widow, Widower or Disability Exemption must be made in person in the Property Appraiser's Office between January 1st and March 1st. From March through December 31st, you may pre-file for Homestead for the next calendar year. Office locations are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (excluding legal holidays).

What if I move?

EXEMPTIONS CANNOT BE TRANSFERRED FROM ONE PROPERTY TO ANOTHER!
YOU MUST RE-FILE FOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION AT YOUR NEW ADDRESS.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are eligible for any exemptions you do not currently receive, you must file a new application in person for the additional exemptions.

Other Types of Exemptions:

• $500 WIDOW AND WIDOWER: A widow or widower who is a legal and permanent Florida resident may claim this exemption. If the survivor remarries or if husband and wife were divorced before their spouse's death, then the applicant is not eligible.

• DISABILITY EXEMPTIONS:
  • $500 Civilian - Total and Permanent
  • $5,000 VA Service Connected (10% or more)
  • VA Service Connected - Total and Permanent
  • Non-Service Connected or Civilian Total and Permanent
  • Quadriplegic Total and Permanent

For further information regarding exemptions, please call an office nearest you.

Automatic renewal:

The Property Appraiser has elected to automatically renew Homestead Exemptions. As long as nothing has changed and the property in question is still your residence, your Homestead Exemption will be automatically renewed each year on January 1st. If you have bought, sold, or rented this property since January 1st of the previous year, or if you no longer qualify for an exemption on this property, Florida Law requires you to notify the Property Appraiser's Office.

What if I own a mobile home?

If you own the land under your mobile home, you may declare it to be permanent structure and make a one-time purchase of an RP tag for this unit. Therefore, the unit will be included on the real estate tax roll and no further license tag fee is required.

MIZNER TITLE & ESCROW, INC.
CATHARINA B. VAN KLEECK, President
MICHELLE A. LYNCH, Vice President
Mizner Park
433 Plaza Real, Suite 275
Boca Raton, FL 33432
(561) 997-8600, Fax (561) 258-0550
E-Mail - Closings@MiznerTitle.com

(Directions to Mizner Title from Local Airports)

[ What is Title Insurance? | Why Title Insurance? ]
[ Buyers Page | Sellers Page | Realtors Page ]
[ Refinancing Page | Rate Calculators ]
[ Florida Counties Links | Home | Contact Us ]

© 1991- Mizner Title & Escrow, Inc. All Rights Reserved. • Privacy Policy