Homeowners and renters are missing out on millions of dollars in tax relief. Use the resources below to learn more.
Florida
You may be eligible to receive money back
Florida Program Overview
Property Tax-Aide features widely available property tax relief programs in Florida, including those that local governments may have expanded to include additional benefits for older residents. They are Homestead Exemption, Senior Low-Income Citizen Exemption (available in certain counties and municipalities), Long-Term Resident Senior Citizen Exemption (available in certain counties and municipalities), and Property Tax Deferral.
The information on this page is updated as new information becomes available by the relevant tax agencies.
Homestead Exemption
Property owners that live in the home as their permanent residence may be eligible to receive a Homestead Exemption. The first exemption of $25,000 applies to all property taxes, including school district taxes. An additional exemption up to $25,000 applies to the assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000. This exemption applies to non-school taxes.
By having a Homestead Exemption, the assessed value of the property cannot increase by more than 3% each year, regardless of the market value.
By having a Homestead Exemption, the assessed value of the property cannot increase by more than 3% each year, regardless of the market value.
Eligibility
- Property owner lives in the home that is the permanent residence as of January 1.
- Cannot have homestead exemption on another property in any other county, state, or country.
- Be a U.S. citizen or possess a Permanent Resident Card
Application Deadline
- Applications are submitted to the county property appraiser on or before March 1 of the current tax year.
- Some counties allow for electronic filing.
- The exemption automatically renews each year as long as there is no change in the title and continue to reside in the home.
- If you move, you have to apply for the exemption on the new property.
Required Documentation
The applicant will need to show proof of ownership and residency, including when they became a permanent Florida resident. All proof of residency should be dated before January 1. Such proof includes
- Evidence of ownership (deed, tax receipt, etc.)
- Social Security numbers for all applicants and spouses;
- Voter Registration (if you vote) dated
- Florida Driver License
- Florida Vehicle Registration
- Address of last Federal income tax return filed
- If property is titled in a trust, a copy of the entire trust must be submitted
Additional Information & Resources
For additional details, see this Informational Guide on Florida Homestead Exemptions.
Applications are available from the Florida Department of Revenue Property Tax webpage and on most county property appraisers’ websites. A complete list of contacts for county property appraisers is available from the state.
Once you are on your county appraiser’s website, look for information on Exemptions. Many counties allow electronic filing.
Senior Low-Income Citizen Exemption
An additional exemption up to $50,000 may be available for homeowners who have or are eligible for and are applying for the Homestead Exemption. This exemption is available to those 65 or over with income below an annually-adjusted income limit.
By local option, the county and other jurisdiction may adopt this additional exemption. The amount of exemption is set by each jurisdiction.
To determine if this program has been adopted for county and other taxing jurisdiction, contact your county appraiser.
By local option, the county and other jurisdiction may adopt this additional exemption. The amount of exemption is set by each jurisdiction.
To determine if this program has been adopted for county and other taxing jurisdiction, contact your county appraiser.
Eligibility
- Homeowner must have a current Homestead Exemption (see information on Homestead Exemption above).
- Applicant must be 65 or older as of January 1
- Income does not exceed the total adjusted gross household income. This limit is adjusted each year based on change in consumer price index.
- For 2024 senior exemption, the 2023 adjusted gross income cannot exceed $36,614 per year for the entire household.
Application Deadline
- Filing period for the additional exemption in those places that have the exemption is January 1 through March 1
- Annual application is required.
Required Documentation
- Homestead exemption application (DR-501) when applying for the exemption for the first time.
- Proof of age
- Sworn statement of Income (DR- 501sc) for household
- For each member of the household, Federal tax return or application of automatic extension
- Wage and tax statement (W-2)
- For not required to file Federal tax return: copy of prior year’s Social Security Statement;
- Statement of income on Statement of Income form
- Proof of age submitting one of the following: Certified copy of a birth certificate, Florida driver’s license or ID Card, Permanent Resident card, o Marriage certificate, Certified school records, Certified census records, Life Insurance policy in effect longer than 2 years
Additional Information & Resources
For additional details, see this Informational Guide on Florida Senior Exemptions.
If you’d like to download an application, you may do so here or click the link under the “Your Resources” tab found on this page.
For information about exemptions offered by each county, applicants should contact the county appraiser. Please refer to the complete list of contacts for county property appraisers
Once you are on your county appraiser’s webpage, look for information on exemptions.
Long-Term Resident Senior Citizen Exemption
The Long-term Senior Residency Exemption exempts the ad valorem taxes for qualified residents of counties and cities which have adopted the program.
Eligibility
- Must be eligible for the Low Income Senior Exemption (see information on the Senior Low-Income Citizen Exemption above).
- Reside on the property for at least 25 years
- Applicant’s property must have just value less than $250,000 at the time of the initial application.
Application Deadline
- Filing period for the long-term exemption in those places that have adopted the exemption is January 1 through March 1
- Annual application is required.
Required Documentation
- Homestead exemption application (DR-501) when applying for the exemption for the first time.
- Proof of age
- Sworn statement of Income (DR- 501sc) for household
- For each member of the household, Federal tax return or application of automatic extension
- Wage and tax statement (W-2)
- For not required to file Federal tax return: copy of prior year’s Social Security Statement;
- Statement of income on Statement of Income form
- Proof of age submitting one of the following: Certified copy of a birth certificate, Florida driver’s license or ID Card, Permanent Resident card, o Marriage certificate, Certified school records, Certified census records, Life Insurance policy in effect longer than 2 years
Additional Information & Resources
For additional details, see this Informational Guide on Florida Senior Exemptions.
If you’d like to download an application, you may do so here or click the link under the “Your Resources” tab found on this page.
For information about exemptions offered by each county, applicants should contact the county appraiser. Please refer to the complete list of contacts for county property appraisers
Once you are on your county appraiser’s webpage, look for information on exemptions.
Property Tax Deferral Program
Property Tax Deferral program is available to homeowners who are eligible for the Homestead Exemption. The amount that can be deferred is based on the age and adjusted gross income of all members of the household.
Eligibility
- The total amount of deferred taxes, assessments, interest, and unsatisfied liens must be less the 85% of the just value of the property.
- The primary mortgage financing cannot be more than 70% of the just value.
- Must furnish fire insurance coverage with the loss payable to the county tax collector.
Application Deadline
Application for deferral (DR-570) must be submitted to the Tax Collector by March 31, the year after the assessment.
Required Documentation
- Owner entitled to the Homestead Exemption may qualify.
- Application for Homestead Tax Deferral (DR-570)
- Proof of prior year’s income, using Federal income tax returns for all members of the household.
- Proof of fire and extended coverage insurance at least equal to the total of all outstanding liens, deferred taxes, assessments, and interest with loss payable to the county tax collector.
- Each year the tax collector will notify owners of property with deferred payments to submit a list of all outstanding liens on the homestead and the current amount of each lien. If the owner does not send the information within 30 days, the total amount of taxes, assessments, and interest will be due within 30 days.
Additional Information & Resources
For questions about this program contact your county tax collector, which can be found on the complete list of contacts for county tax collectors from the Florida Department of Revenue.
Your Resources
Your state accepts digital and mailed applications
Property Tax-Aide has independently selected the property tax relief programs featured on this website that we think are the most relevant and beneficial to older adults. It is not an exhaustive list of all property tax relief programs available in each state. Please consult your local tax agency for a comprehensive listing of property tax relief programs in your area.