If you own a home in the state of Florida, you may be eligible for a valuable property tax benefit known as the Homestead Exemption. This exemption can provide significant savings by reducing the taxable value of your primary residence.
Understanding the Homestead Exemption:
Florida’s homestead exemption lowers the taxable value of your permanent home, which lowers your property tax bill. To qualify, you must own the home and make it your permanent residence by January 1 of the tax year, then file an application with your county property appraiser by March 1.
The first $25,000 of the exemption applies to all property taxes. According to the Volusia County Property Appraiser, an additional exemption, adjusted for inflation each year, applies automatically to homes that receive the original exemption and depends on the home’s assessed value; it does not apply to school taxes. Your property appraiser can tell you the current amounts. On November 3, 2026, Florida voters will decide Amendment 3, a proposed constitutional amendment on homestead exemptions and property assessments. We will update this page after the result.
Save Our Homes: the cap that comes with homestead
Once your home has a homestead exemption, Florida’s Save Our Homes limit applies beginning the next year. It keeps the assessed value of your home from rising by more than 3% or the change in the Consumer Price Index each year, whichever is lower.
The cap belongs to the owner, not the house. When a home changes ownership, it is generally reassessed at its full just (market) value, so a seller’s current tax bill is usually not a good predictor of your bill as the new owner. Ask your agent for a tax estimate for the home you are buying, and use the property appraiser’s online tools if they are available.
Steps to File for Homestead Exemption:
Check eligibility: Ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for the Homestead Exemption. You must be a permanent Florida resident, own and occupy the property as your primary residence, and have established residency by January 1st of the tax year.
Gather required documents: Collect the necessary documentation for filing your Homestead Exemption application. This typically includes proof of ownership (deed or tax bill), your Florida driver’s license or ID card, and any other supporting documents requested by the county property appraiser’s office.
Complete the application: Obtain the Homestead Exemption application form from your county’s property appraiser’s office or website. Fill out the form accurately, providing all the required information, including property details, your personal information, and any co-owners or spouses.
Submit the application: Once you have completed the application, submit it to your county’s property appraiser’s office. Ensure that you include all required supporting documents along with the application form. It is recommended to make copies of all documents for your records.
Be aware of the deadline: Your application must be submitted to the county property appraiser by March 1 of the year you want the exemption to begin. If you bought your home and moved in after January 1, you are not eligible for that tax year; the Volusia County Property Appraiser encourages you to pre-file for the following year. If you miss the deadline, contact your property appraiser right away to ask what options apply.
Follow up and confirmation: After submitting your application, you may receive a confirmation or receipt from the property appraiser’s office. Keep this document for your records as proof of your application submission.
Renew your exemption: In most cases, once you have been approved for the Homestead Exemption, it is automatically renewed each year. However, certain circumstances such as changes in ownership or use of the property may require you to reapply. Contact your county’s property appraiser’s office to verify if any action is needed to maintain your exemption.
Where to file in Volusia and Brevard County
Volusia County
The Volusia County Property Appraiser accepts homestead applications online and in person at either of its two office locations. You can also download the application and fill it out before you come in. Bring the required documents with you. Start at vcpa.vcgov.org or call 386-736-5901.
Brevard County
The Brevard County Property Appraiser accepts applications online, by mail and in person at any of its four offices. Start at bcpao.us. You can submit an application any time of year, but it must be submitted by March 1 to apply to that year’s taxes.
What to bring
Requirements vary slightly by county, but the two property appraisers list items like these:
- A Florida driver license, or a Florida ID card if you do not drive
- Florida vehicle registration, or voter registration if you are registered
- Social Security information for each applicant and for your spouse, even if your spouse is not an owner
- A permanent resident card if you are not a U.S. citizen
- A copy of the trust agreement if the home is held in a trust (Brevard also accepts a recorded memorandum of trust)
- A letter from the other taxing authority if you own or recently sold property elsewhere that had a residency-based exemption
- In Brevard, a copy of your recorded deed or tax bill
Always check your county property appraiser’s page for the current list before you file.
Buying your first Florida home, or moving within Florida?
A simple timeline helps:
- Close and move in. Make the home your permanent residence.
- Own and occupy by January 1. If you moved in before January 1, you can file for that tax year.
- File by March 1. File online, in person or by mail with the county property appraiser.
- Watch for the notice. Property appraisers mail a Notice of Proposed Property Taxes (TRIM notice) each August that shows your exemptions and taxable value.
If you are moving from one Florida homestead to another, you may be able to take part of your Save Our Homes savings with you. This is called portability. According to the Florida Department of Revenue, you file Form DR-501T (Transfer of Homestead Assessment Difference) together with the homestead application (Form DR-501) by March 1, and you must establish the new homestead within three years of January 1 of the year you abandoned the old one. The maximum transfer is $500,000. Your property appraiser makes the final calculation. Read the Department of Revenue’s Save Our Homes and portability brochure.
Homestead exemption FAQs
What is the deadline to file for homestead exemption in Florida?
March 1 of the year you want the exemption to begin. You must own the home and make it your permanent residence by January 1 of that year.
I closed on my house in March. When can I file?
You cannot claim homestead for that tax year because you were not living in the home on January 1. You can file for the following year; the Volusia County Property Appraiser encourages new owners to pre-file.
Does homestead reduce all of my property taxes?
No. It reduces the taxable value of your home. The first $25,000 applies to all taxes, including school taxes; the additional exemption does not apply to school taxes. Your bill also depends on local millage rates and any non-ad valorem assessments.
Do I have to reapply every year?
The Brevard County Property Appraiser says an approved homestead exemption renews automatically each year as long as ownership and residence conditions stay the same. Contact the property appraiser if you sell, change title or move, or if a qualifying condition changes.
Can I file online in Volusia and Brevard County?
Yes. Both county property appraisers offer online filing. Gather your documents first so you can upload or submit them.
What happens if I claim homestead on a home that is not my permanent residence?
The Brevard County Property Appraiser notes that Florida law requires the property appraiser to record a tax lien against property that received an exemption it did not qualify for, and that back taxes, penalties and interest can apply. If you are unsure whether you qualify, ask the property appraiser before you file.
Buying or selling in Volusia or Brevard County? Read our guide to tax prorations and homestead, start on our Buy a Home page, browse homes for sale by city, or talk to an agent at one of our local offices.
This article is general information and is not tax or legal advice. Your county property appraiser makes the final determination on any exemption.