Do I have to refile for homestead exemption every year in Florida?

No. Once granted, the Florida homestead exemption renews automatically each year as long as the property remains your permanent residence and the ownership does not change. Counties mail an annual renewal notice; you only act if something changed.

I closed on my home in December. Can I still get the exemption for this year?

The exemption applies to the tax year in which you owned and lived in the home as your permanent residence on January 1. If you close in December and move in, you qualify for the following tax year and should file right away, before that year's March 1 deadline.

Do I lose my homestead exemption if I refinance?

No. Refinancing does not affect your homestead exemption because the ownership and your residency have not changed. Adding or removing someone from the deed, moving out, or renting the home can affect it, so call your county property appraiser in those cases.

What is Save Our Homes in Florida?

Save Our Homes is the cap that comes with the Florida homestead exemption. It limits increases in your home's assessed value to no more than 3% per year, no matter how fast market values rise. The benefit can also be transferred to a new Florida homestead through portability.

Can I have a homestead exemption on two homes?

No. Florida allows one homestead exemption per family unit, on the home that is your permanent primary residence. Second homes, investment properties and rentals do not qualify, and claiming a residency based exemption in another state can disqualify your Florida homestead.

Florida Homestead Exemption: How and Where to File (County Links)

What the homestead exemption is

Florida gives an exemption on the home you actually live in. It lowers the taxable value your property taxes are calculated on, and it unlocks Save Our Homes, which caps how fast your assessed value can rise at 3% a year no matter what the market does. It is one form, it is free to file, and it keeps paying you back every single year you own the home. How much it changes your bill depends on your county and your home, so your county property appraiser is the source for exact numbers.

Who qualifies

You owned the home AND lived in it as your permanent residence on January 1 of the tax year
You are a Florida resident
One homestead per family

Investment properties, second homes and rentals do not qualify. This is for the place you actually call home.

The deadline

March 1 of the year you want the exemption. And here is the part people get wrong: you do not have to wait until January. You can file as soon as you close. If you bought this year, file now and you are set for next year.

What you need

Florida driver license or Florida ID showing the property address
Florida vehicle registration, if you have a vehicle
Voter registration or a declaration of domicile
Social Security numbers for all owners
Your recorded deed or closing statement
Not a US citizen? Bring your permanent resident card

The exact list varies a little by county, so double check their page before you sit down to file.

Moving? Ask about portability

If you had homestead on a previous Florida home, you may be able to carry your Save Our Homes benefit over to the new one. That is called portability, and it needs its own form (DR-501T) filed along with your homestead application. If you sold and bought in the last couple of years, do not skip this one.

Already have homestead?

It renews automatically every year as long as nothing changes. Refinanced? You keep it. But if you added someone to the deed, moved out, or started renting the home, call your property appraiser before they call you.

File in your county

These go to the official county property appraiser sites, not to me.

Miami-Dade County miamidadepa.gov → Broward County bcpa.net → Palm Beach County pbcpao.gov e-file → Orange County (Orlando) ocpafl.org → Hillsborough County (Tampa) hcpafl.org → Lee County leepa.org → Collier County collierappraiser.com → Volusia County vcpa.vcgov.org →

Any other Florida county: the state's exemption page links to every county property appraiser.

Quick answers

Do I have to refile every year?
No. Once granted, it renews automatically as long as nothing changes. Your county mails a renewal notice each year; you only act if something changed.

I closed in December. Can I still file for this year?
The exemption follows January 1. If you were not the owner living there on January 1 of this year, you qualify for next year. File now and you are locked in before the March 1 deadline.

I refinanced. Do I lose it?
No. A refi does not touch your exemption. Ownership changes do, so if you added or removed someone on the deed, check with your appraiser.

What is Save Our Homes?
The cap that comes with homestead. Your assessed value cannot rise more than 3% a year while you have the exemption, and the accumulated benefit can move with you to your next Florida home through portability.

Can I have homestead on two homes?
No. One per family, on your primary residence only. Claiming a residency exemption in another state can disqualify your Florida homestead too.

Want me to double check your exemption or portability?

Drop your info and I will take a look with you. No charge, no pitch.

By submitting, you agree Ronald Cepeda (NMLS #407464) may contact you by phone, text or email about your inquiry. Consent is not a condition of purchase.

Got it. I will take a look and reach out. 🏠

Not sure if your exemption is in place?

Or thinking about your next move? Text or call me.

📱 305-785-3915

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Ronald Cepeda
Mortgage Loan Originator
NMLS:407464
C. 305-785-3915
E. Ronald.Cepeda@pmfmortgage.com Website: Applywithronald.com

Bought a home this year? File for homestead before March 1.