Homestead and Other Exemptions

Under certain circumstances the benefit of this exemption can carry over to the surviving spouse.

If filing for the first time, bring proof of your service connected disability: such as, a letter from the United States Veterans’ Administration.

In order to apply for and receive this local option homestead exemption, the applicant’s income may not exceed $24,289.00 as of January 1, 2008. The income limitation was established at $20,000 in 2001. The figure is adjusted annually, on January 1, according to percentage changes in the average cost-of-living index. The cost-of-living index is the national average of the monthly consumer-price-index figure for the period of January 1 through December 31. It compares the prior year with the year before it and is issued by the United States Department of Labor.

The income limitation for 2009 will be posted to the Department’s website as soon as the new figures become available.

See the list of counties and municipalities that offer additional homestead exemption for persons 65 and older.

A permanent resident of Florida 65 years old or older may defer that portion of the tax that exceeds 3 percent of the applicant’s household income for the previous year. If any applicant’s household income for the prior calendar year is less than $10,000, or is less than the amount of the household income designated for the additional homestead exemption pursuant to s. 196.075, F.S. and the applicant is 65 years of age or older, approval of the application shall defer the ad valorem taxes plus non-ad valorem assessments in their entirety.

For additional information as to the number of years, total amounts that may be deferred, and interest on deferred taxes, contact the local tax collector.

1. Tangible Personal Property – All goods, chattels, and other articles of value capable of manual possession whose chief value is intrinsic to the article itself. “Inventory” and “Household Goods” are expressly excluded from this definition.
2. Household Goods – Apparel, furniture, appliances, and other items usually found in the home and used for the comfort of the owner and family. Household goods are exempt from property taxation.
3. Inventory – Items of inventory are exempt from property taxation. Inventory generally means goods, wares, and merchandise held by a business for sale.

Some items of personal property are not taxable, for example, licensed motor vehicles, boats, airplanes, trailers, trailer coaches, and certain mobile homes as defined by law.

Taxable items are assessed at just value based on an annual return that must be filed by April 1 with the county property appraiser. The year of purchase, original cost, and the taxpayer’s estimate of just value is required on the return. The property appraiser has the duty to discover omissions and to place value upon personal property.

The amount of tax due is calculated by multiplying the value of the property by the tax rate set by the taxing authorities. The tax bill is mailed to the taxpayer, usually by November 1.

The payment must be made to the tax collector by April 1 of the following year. There are specific discounts allowed for early payment and penalties for delinquency, failure to file, and for unlisted property.

If you are looking for information on the $25,000 tangible personal property exemption, see the Frequently Asked Questions for Amendment 1 Implementation.

For more information about property taxes, contact your county property appraiser or tax collector.