How to Apply for the Florida Homestead Exemption

For Florida homeowners, the homestead exemption is one of the most valuable benefits available. It provides significant property tax savings, protects your home from certain creditors, and serves as a cornerstone of Florida’s constitutional property rights. Applying correctly — and on time — ensures you receive the full protection and savings you’re entitled to under the law.

This guide explains who qualifies, how to apply, and what supporting documents you’ll need. For a deeper explanation of how homestead protection works, visit our main page on the Florida Homestead Exemption.

Who Qualifies for the Florida Homestead Exemption

To qualify for the Florida Homestead Exemption, you must meet three primary requirements:

• You are a permanent resident of Florida as of January 1 of the year you apply.
• The property is your primary residence (you must occupy the home and intend to remain there permanently).
• You are the owner of record (your name appears on the deed or legal title).

Rental or vacation properties do not qualify. If you split time between states, you cannot claim homestead exemptions in multiple jurisdictions.

What the Homestead Exemption Provides

The Florida Homestead Exemption reduces the assessed value of your property for tax purposes and limits future increases. In most counties, the exemption offers:

• Up to $50,000 off the assessed value of your primary residence for property tax purposes.
• Eligibility for the Save Our Homes Cap, which limits annual increases in assessed value to 3% or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower.
• Protection from certain creditors and forced sale under Florida’s constitutional homestead laws.

While the exemption starts as a tax benefit, it also plays a major role in estate planning and property protection — especially for married couples and families with minor children.

When and Where to Apply

You must apply for the homestead exemption with your county property appraiser’s office by March 1 of the year you want the exemption to begin. Late applications may still be accepted if good cause is shown, but they are not guaranteed.

Homeowners in our local region can apply online, by mail, or in person at their county offices:

• Manatee County Property Appraiser: www.manateepao.gov/homestead
• Sarasota County Property Appraiser: www.sc-pa.com
• Pinellas County Property Appraiser: www.pcpao.gov

If you recently moved or purchased a home, be sure to update your Florida driver’s license and voter registration before applying. These documents are used to confirm residency.

Documents You’ll Need

When applying, have these documents ready for each owner applying for the exemption:

• Florida driver’s license or ID card showing the property address
• Florida voter registration card (if applicable)
• Vehicle registration or declaration of domicile
• Recorded deed or property tax bill showing ownership
• For non-U.S. citizens, a permanent resident (green) card

Each county may request additional documents depending on your situation, such as proof of spousal residency, trust documents, or homestead designation forms if the property is owned by a trust.

Applying Through a Trust or Estate

If your property is owned in a revocable living trust, you can still qualify for the homestead exemption — but the trust must be properly structured. The trust agreement must identify the property as your residence and ensure that you retain full rights of occupancy. Otherwise, the property could lose its homestead status.

Because the Florida Constitution strictly defines homestead rights, it’s important to review your trust language with an experienced attorney before filing. Even a small drafting error can affect both your tax exemption and your future creditor protections.

Maintaining Your Homestead Exemption

Once approved, you do not need to reapply each year as long as you continue to occupy the property as your permanent residence. However, your property appraiser may periodically send a renewal notice. It is important to review this notice carefully and update any information that has changed — especially if you move, marry, divorce, or change your mailing address.

If you sell your home and buy another within Florida, you may be eligible to transfer your “Save Our Homes” benefit (called portability) to your new residence. To do this, you’ll file a portability application in addition to your new homestead application.

Why Accuracy Matters

Submitting incorrect or incomplete information can delay approval or, in some cases, result in penalties if the exemption is granted in error. Because the exemption also affects how your property is treated for estate planning and creditor protection, accuracy is especially important.

How Barnes Walker Can Help

At Barnes Walker, our real estate and estate planning attorneys assist clients throughout Florida with understanding, claiming, and preserving homestead rights. We help ensure property ownership structures — such as trusts, life estates, or joint tenancy — align with Florida’s homestead requirements.

We also assist Realtors and closing professionals in confirming whether new buyers are eligible for the exemption before closing, helping avoid surprises after purchase.

Learn more about the Florida Homestead Exemption here, or contact our office to discuss how to include your homestead in your estate plan and maintain your legal protections under Florida law.

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What to know

• Apply for the Florida Homestead Exemption by March 1 with your county property appraiser.
• Provide proof of Florida residency and ownership, such as a driver’s license and recorded deed.
• If your home is owned by a trust, confirm that the trust language preserves your homestead rights.
• Keep your records current and notify the property appraiser if you move or change ownership.
• For legal questions or complex ownership situations, seek professional guidance before applying.