Homestead and Other Exemptions

There are a number of exemptions provided for in state law that can lower your property's value and ultimately save you money in property taxes. This includes the homestead exemption which allows for a deduction of up to $50,000 (second $25,000 does not apply to school taxes) off the assessed value of a property owner's primary residence. (Florida State Statute 196)

Homestead Exemption
All legal Florida residents are eligible for a Homestead Exemption on their homes, condominiums, co-op apartments and certain mobile home lots. The exemption removes $25,000 off the assessed value of an owner-occupied residence and could provide up to another $25,000 additional exemption off assessed value over $50,000. (This additional exemption does not apply to school millage.) Not only does the homestead exemption lower the value on which you pay taxes, it also triggers the 'Save Our Homes' benefit which limits future annual increases in assessed value to 3% or less. The sale of the property, changes in ownership or changes to the property can cause the exemption and benefit to be removed or altered. (When a home is sold, the assessed value increases to market value for the next tax roll.)

You are entitled to a Homestead Exemption if, as of January 1, you have made the property your permanent home or the permanent home of a person who is legally or naturally dependent on you. To be eligible for a homestead exemption, you must own and occupy your home as your permanent residence on January 1. The deadline to file for homestead exemption is March 1. Late filing is permitted with documented extenuating circumstances through September. (The deadline for late filing is set by Florida law and falls on the 25^th day following the mailing of the Notices of Proposed Property Taxes.)

 
***File Now Online for a 2013 Homestead Exemption***
 

Manual Homestead Application and Instructions

Required Documentation

Homestead Exemption on Mobile Homes and Additional Requirements

Other Exemptions

· Armed Forces – Homestead Allowance

· Blindness Exemption

· Conservation Exemption (Land Dedicated in Perpetuity)

· Disability Exemption

· Disability Veteran Exemption

· 'Granny Flat' - Assessment Reduction for Living Quarters of Parents or Grandparents

· Historic Preservation Exemption

· Institutional Exemptions

· Senior Citizen Exemption

· Service-Connected Total and Permanent Disability Exemption

· Totally and Permanently Disabled Exemption

· Widow/Widower Exemption
 

Portability – If you are filing for a homestead exemption and had a previous homestead in the state of Florida in either of the two tax roll years preceding the year for which you are filing, you may be eligible for Portability. Portability allows you to transfer the 'Save Our Homes' benefit from a previous homestead to a new homestead to lower your assessed value. This is not a transfer of your previous homestead exemption. You must file separate applications for homestead exemption and portability. The deadline for Portability filing is also March 1. Find out more on the Portability page.

 

Automatic Renewal
To ease the burden on taxpayers, the Property Appraiser has begun automatically renewing homestead exemptions. Providing nothing has changed and the homesteaded property is still your primary residence, your HOMESTEAD exemption will be automatically renewed each year on January 1^st. In January, you will be mailed a RENEWAL RECEIPT identifying the property possessing the exemption.

If you still live in this house, your exemption will be automatically renewed. Keep the card as your receipt and continue to enjoy the benefit of lower taxes. Automatic renewal is just one more way we are working to improve service to taxpayers of Duval County.