Video Summary
How do I apply for a homestead exemption? A homestead exemption is what exempts up to $50,000.00 of your property taxes in Florida from taxation. $25,000.00 of your exemption does not exempt it from school taxes. It’s on the assessed value between $50,000.00 and $75,000.00. How do you apply?
You’ll go to the property appraiser’s office and sign an application showing your ownership and further swearing that you are a resident of the state of Florida, show them your Florida driver’s license. A Florida driver’s license would prove that you’re a resident and your address. Then, you simply sign the application, under oath, that you occupy the property, that it was your homestead property as of December 31st of the prior year and that you own the property. You’re not able to apply for a homestead exemption for, let’s say, 2012 if you purchase a house January 2, 2012. It would not be eligible for a homestead exemption until 2013.
You can apply at any time. You don’t have to wait until after the 1st of the year to apply for homestead exemption, and you have up until March 1, 2013 or March 1st of each year to apply for homestead exemption for that particular year. How do you apply? You contact the property appraiser’s office and fill out the application saying that you’re not a resident or have exemption in any other state and show that you’re the owner of the property (there are various forms of ownership, as far as that’s concerned, whether it’s being under an agreement per deed).
It doesn’t matter whether you have a mortgage on it. It would be helpful if you had your deed to show them that you’re the owner of the property. If the owner is husband and wife, I believe only one- either the husband or the wife can apply for the homestead exemption. As far as I know– and certainly in Pasco County, you cannot apply online. I’m not sure if there are any other counties in Florida that have an alternate way of applying for a homestead exemption, other than going to the property appraiser’s office, filling out the information and signing under oath. In Pasco County, Mike Wells is currently the property appraiser. If you have any questions, give me a call at (727) 847-2288.