HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION
UNDERSTANDING 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. (If you have previously owned a Homesteaded property in Florida see "PORTABILITY") 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.)
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DO I QUALIFY FOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION?
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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 timely is March 1.
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HOW TO CLAIM HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION?
Apply BEFORE March 1st (Change your Driver's License first)
Locate the Property Appraisers Office in your County
Complete the application in person or online.
Make sure you receive a receipt.
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Clay County - Exemption Information
Main Branch - 477 Houston St, 2nd Floor, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 - (904) 284-6305
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Duval County - Exemption Information
231 E Forsyth St #260, Jacksonville, FL 32202 - (904) 255-5900
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4030 Lewis Speedway, Suite 203, St. Augustine, FL 32084 - (904) 827-5500​
HOW DO I RENEW MY HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION?
As long as nothing has changed your homestead exemption will be renewed automatically each year. You should receive a card in the mail each year notifying you of the renewal. ​
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PORTABILITY
UNDERSTANDING PORTABILITY
'Portability' in Florida refers to the ability of a property owner to transfer some or all of the 'Save Our Homes' benefit on a previous homestead to a newly established homestead. A homeowner must have a Homestead Exemption in place on their current residence to qualify for Portability. The law was passed as a constitutional amendment in January 2008. The 'Save Our Homes' benefit is the difference between the assessed value and market value of a homestead property due to the annual limit on increases in assessed value.
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The amount is either transferred in its entirety or as a percentage depending on the value of the new property. (See diagram below provided by St Johns County Property Appraiser)
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Upsizing- if the just value (market value) of the new homestead is more than the previous home's value, the entire Save Our Homes (SOH) benefit can be transferred.
Downsizing- if the just value of the new home is less than the previous home's just value (market value), a percentage of the accumulated SOH benefit can be transferred.
You may not transfer more than $500,000.
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DO I QUALIFY FOR PORTABILITY?
Effective January 1, 2021, state law allows you to transfer your 'Save Our Homes' benefit to a new home if you had the homestead exemption on your old home in either of the three tax roll years preceding the year for which you established your new homestead. While a property owner may file for portability in later years; time limits do apply - You may transfer the difference between the assessed and market values (CAP) from your previous homestead as of January 1 of either of the three immediately preceding years. In other words, you may only go two tax years without having a homestead exemption in order to transfer your CAP.
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HOW TO APPLY FOR PORTABILITY
File the Transfer of Homestead Assessment Difference BEFORE March 1
Locate the Property Appraisers Office in your County
Complete the application in person or online
(Most counties will ask you to file for portability when completing
the application for Homestead Exemptions)
