Florida's Homestead Exemption can reduce your property's taxable value by up to $50,000 — saving you money every year!
What is a Homestead Exemption?
The homestead exemption in Florida can reduce the taxable value of your property by up to $50,000, providing significant savings on your annual property taxes. To qualify, the property must be your permanent residence as of January 1st of the tax year you are applying for.
This is one of the first things you should take care of after closing on your new home — and the good news is the process is straightforward!
What is Portability? (Save Our Homes)
If you are moving from one Florida home to another, you may be able to "port" your tax savings to your new home. Here's how it works:
Florida's "Save Our Homes" benefit caps the annual increase of your home's assessed value at 3%. Over time, your home's market value grows much higher than its taxed (assessed) value — that difference is your portable savings. Portability allows you to transfer that difference (up to $500,000) to your new home, keeping your new property taxes low from day one.
Quick Example
Old Home Market Value
$400,000
Assessed (Taxed) Value
$250,000
Your Portable Savings
$150,000
If you buy a new home for $600,000, your new assessed value would start at $450,000 instead of $600,000 — saving you money on property taxes right away!
Important: Portability must be applied for at the same time as your Homestead Exemption. You typically have up to 3 years to port your savings after selling your previous home.
Steps to Apply
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Check Eligibility
You must own and occupy the home as your primary residence as of January 1st of the tax year you are applying for.
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Gather Your Documents
You will most likely need the following:
- A valid Florida driver's license or ID card
- A Florida vehicle registration (if applicable)
- Proof of residency (utility bill, voter registration, etc.)
- Social Security numbers for all applicants
- A copy of your recorded warranty deed (helpful to have on hand)
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Apply Online or In Person
Visit your county's Property Appraiser's website or office to submit your application. Click the button below to find your county's property appraiser and/or tax collector's contact info, and website for filing homestead exemption.
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Submit Before the Deadline
Applications must be submitted by March 1st of the tax year. Don't wait — file as soon as possible after closing!
Important Deadline: March 1st is the annual filing deadline. Missing it means waiting until the following year to receive your exemption.
Additional Resources
Need more details? We’ve created these free downloadable flyers to help you navigate the homestead filing process. Access county-specific contact information and a deep dive into how Florida’s portability laws work below:
Don't forget to also check out our page with new homeowner tips and tools: