First Time Homebuyers

Homestead Exemption

FLORIDA LAW entitles every person who has legal or equitable title to real estate and maintains it as their permanent residence, to apply and receive up to a $50,000 homestead property exemption. A partial exemption may apply if the ownership of the applicant is less than 100%.

You are entitled to a Homestead Exemption if, as of January 1st, you have made the property your permanent home or the permanent home of a person who is legally or naturally dependent on you. By law, January 1 of each year is the date on which permanent residence is determined.

All proof of residency should be dated prior to January 1st.

Information needed for each person filing for an exemption:

Florida Drivers License
Social Security Card of Number of applicant & applicants spouse.
If the applicant is not a U.S. citizen, a U.S. Permanent Resident Alien Card.

Additional Information Needed:

Date each applicant became a permanent Florida resident.
Date of occupancy.
Date of birth of all applicants.
Any exemptions filed last year.
Address of last income tax return.
If property is titled in a trust, copy of entire trust must be submitted or Certificate of Trust supplied by the Property Appraisers Office.
If you are filing on a mobile home, proof of title or registration to mobile home and deed to property must be brought into office to obtain a “Real Property” application.

Other exemptions for which you may qualify are listed and explained on the individual county websites below.

Central Florida Property Appraisers Homestead and other Exemption information:

Lake County

https://www.lakecopropappr.com/exemptions.aspx

352-253-2150

Orange County

https://www.ocpafl.org/exemptions/

407-836-5044

Osceola County

https://www.property-appraiser.org/all-exemptions/

407-742-5000

Seminole County
https://www.scpafl.org/HomesteadandotherExemptions
407-665-7506