Florida Homestead Exemption (2026): How to File, Deadlines & Savings by County
The Florida homestead exemption is one of the best deals in homeownership: up to $50,000 off your home’s taxable value, plus the Save Our Homes cap that limits future increases. This guide explains the rules, the March 1 deadline, and links you straight to your county’s property appraiser to file. Pick your county below for local savings and filing details.
Quick answer: how do I apply for the Florida homestead exemption?
File once with your county property appraiser by March 1 of the tax year; most counties offer online filing. You must own the home and make it your permanent residence as of January 1. Expect to show proof of residency, such as a Florida driver license or ID with the property address, Florida vehicle registration, voter registration or a declaration of domicile, plus Social Security numbers for you and your spouse. The exemption removes up to $50,000 of assessed value, starts the Save Our Homes cap, and renews automatically each year while you still qualify. Find your county appraiser in the Florida Department of Revenue county directory. (Updated October 29, 2026.)
What the Florida homestead exemption is
If you own a home in Florida and it’s your permanent residence, the homestead exemption removes up to $50,000 from the home’s assessed (taxable) value, lowering your annual property-tax bill. The first $25,000 applies to all taxing authorities, including schools. A second $25,000 applies to the assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000 for non-school levies. It also unlocks the Save Our Homes cap, which limits how fast your assessed value can rise.
Save Our Homes 3% cap
Once your home is homesteaded, Save Our Homes caps the annual increase in its assessed value at 3% or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. Over time this is often worth far more than the exemption itself, because it shields you from rising market values. You can estimate the effect with our Save Our Homes tax estimator.
Portability: take your savings with you
If you sell and buy another Florida homestead, portability lets you transfer up to $500,000 of your accumulated Save Our Homes benefit to the new home (file Form DR-501T within three tax years). It’s one of the most valuable and most overlooked parts of the program.
Who qualifies
You must own and occupy the home as your permanent residence as of January 1 of the year you’re applying. It must be your primary home, not a second home or rental. You only file once — the exemption renews automatically each year as long as you still qualify; just tell the appraiser if that changes.
How to file
File with your county property appraiser by March 1 for that tax year — most offer online filing. Find your county’s official appraiser through the Florida Department of Revenue’s county appraiser directory.
To file, the appraiser will generally ask for proof that the home was your permanent residence as of January 1: a Florida driver license or ID showing the property address, your Florida vehicle registration, voter registration or a declaration of domicile, and your Social Security number (and your spouse’s). Non-citizens provide their permanent-residency card. Requirements can vary slightly by county, so check your appraiser’s page.
Find your county
Typical savings from county-average millage; your actual savings depend on your home’s assessed value and taxing district.
Keeping your exemption status, and other property tax exemptions
Under Florida law (Art. VII, s. 6 of the Florida Constitution and s. 196.031, F.S.), property owners who hold title and make the home their primary residence on January 1 can claim up to $50,000 off the assessed value. The first $25,000 applies to every property tax, including school taxes. The second $25,000 applies to assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000 and does not apply to school taxes; since 2025 that second amount is adjusted each year for inflation (Amendment 5, approved by voters in November 2024).
Exemption status renews automatically each year; you do not refile. You must tell the property appraiser if the home stops being your permanent residence, and renting out the home can end the exemption under s. 196.061, F.S. Claiming a residency-based exemption in another state or county while keeping a Florida homestead can bring back taxes, penalties and interest under s. 196.161, F.S.
The tax benefit can stack with other property tax exemptions filed with the same county office, including the $5,000 exemptions for a widow or widower, blindness, or total and permanent disability (s. 196.202, F.S.), disabled veteran exemptions (s. 196.081 and s. 196.24, F.S.), and local-option senior exemptions where a county or city has adopted them (s. 196.075, F.S.).
Quick answers
Do I have to reapply every year to keep my exemption status?
No. The exemption renews automatically each year as long as the home remains your permanent residence. Notify your county property appraiser if that changes.
Does renting out my home affect the exemption?
It can. Under s. 196.061, F.S., renting the home can count as abandoning it as a homestead. Ask your county property appraiser before you list it for rent.
What other property tax exemptions can a homeowner claim?
Depending on eligibility: $5,000 exemptions for widows, widowers, blindness or total and permanent disability, disabled veteran exemptions, and local-option senior exemptions where adopted. Each is filed with your county property appraiser.
Sources: Florida Constitution Art. VII s. 6; Florida Statutes ss. 196.031, 196.061, 196.075, 196.081, 196.161, 196.202, 196.24 (leg.state.fl.us); Florida Department of Revenue property tax exemption guidance (floridarevenue.com). Checked October 22, 2026.
Florida homestead exemption FAQ
How do I file for homestead exemption in Florida?
Do I have to file every year?
How much does the homestead exemption save?
What is portability?
Buying in Florida? See homes for sale
Already own? See what your home would sell for
General information for Florida homeowners, current for the 2026 tax year; not legal or tax advice. The homestead exemption is administered by your county property appraiser — confirm details, forms, and online filing on their official site (linked above) or via the Florida Department of Revenue. Typical-savings figures are estimates from county-average millage (in-repo, FY2025-26) and your actual savings depend on your home’s assessed value and taxing district. As of 2026-11-01.