The Break On Your Tax Bill
Fla. Stat. 196.031 — $25,000 on the home, and another $25,000 above $50,000 for levies other than school taxes
The first $25,000. A person who, on January 1, holds legal or beneficial title to real property in the state and in good faith makes it a permanent residence, for themselves or dependents, is entitled to an exemption from all taxation, except assessments for special benefits, up to the assessed valuation of $25,000 on the residence and contiguous real property.
The additional exemption. Every person who qualifies is entitled to an additional exemption of up to $25,000 on the assessed valuation greater than $50,000, for all levies other than school district levies. That $25,000 is adjusted annually for inflation when the consumer price index rises.
Recorded first. Before the exemption is granted, the deed or instrument is recorded in the official records of the county.
March 1. The application for exemption is filed with the county property appraiser on or before March 1 of each year. Failure to apply on or before March 1, when an application is required, waives the exemption for that year, except as the section provides.
Other exemptions and credits, and the forms and proof the assessor asks for, are set out in other sections that are not on this page. Whether a particular home qualifies is a question for the assessor's office or a licensed Florida attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- Fla. Stat. 196.031 — Exemption of homesteads
- Fla. Stat. 196.011 — Annual application, and the March 1 deadline
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Florida attorney.