Florida Homestead Exemption 2026

Florida's homestead exemption gives permanent residents up to $50,000 off assessed value, plus the powerful Save Our Homes 3% cap and portability. Here's the amount, how to file, the March 1 deadline and the details by county.

📅 Last updated: July 2026 · Source: Florida DOR

💵 Up to $50,000 📉 Save Our Homes 3% cap 🗓️ File by March 1

The Florida homestead exemption removes up to $50,000 from the taxable value of your permanent home and locks in the Save Our Homes 3% cap, which limits how fast your assessment can grow. It's free to file with your county Property Appraiser, the deadline is March 1, and it renews automatically once granted.

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How much is the Florida homestead exemption?

The exemption is worth up to $50,000, in two parts:

First $25,000 — applies to all property taxes, including school taxes.
Second $25,000 — applies to assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000, and excludes school taxes.

So a home assessed at $75,000 or more gets the full $50,000 (with the second half not reducing the school portion). The exemption is on top of the far more valuable Save Our Homes assessment cap.

Save Our Homes & portability

Save Our Homes caps your homestead's annual assessed-value increase at 3% (or CPI, whichever is lower), no matter how fast the market rises. The longer you own, the wider the gap between your market value and your capped taxable value — often the biggest saving of all. Portability then lets you carry that accumulated benefit (up to $500,000) to a new Florida home using Form DR-501T, generally within three tax years.

How to file a Florida homestead exemption

Own and permanently reside in the home as of January 1.
File with your county Property Appraiser — most offer free online applications (see counties below).
Provide Florida proof of residence — driver's license, voter registration or vehicle registration at the address.
File by March 1. Once granted, it renews automatically every year.

Florida homestead exemption by county

The exemption and Save Our Homes cap are statewide, but you file with your county Property Appraiser. Here's where to apply in the largest counties:

County	File with	Online
Miami-Dade County	Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser	Apply →
Broward County	Broward County Property Appraiser (BCPA)	Apply →
Hillsborough County (Tampa)	Hillsborough County Property Appraiser	Apply →
Orange County (Orlando)	Orange County Property Appraiser	Apply →
Palm Beach County	Palm Beach County Property Appraiser	Apply →

Each county Property Appraiser administers the same statewide $50,000 exemption and Save Our Homes cap, and many add an extra senior exemption for income-qualified residents aged 65+.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Florida homestead exemption? +

Up to $50,000. The first $25,000 applies to all property taxes, including school taxes. A second $25,000 applies to the assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000 and excludes school taxes. So a home assessed at $75,000 or more receives the full $50,000 exemption (with the second half not reducing school taxes).

What is Save Our Homes in Florida? +

Save Our Homes is a constitutional cap that limits the annual increase in your homestead's assessed value to 3% (or the change in CPI, whichever is lower), no matter how fast the market rises. Over time this "assessment difference" can save far more than the exemption itself — and you can move it to a new home through portability.

What is Florida homestead portability? +

Portability lets you transfer your accumulated Save Our Homes benefit (the gap between your market value and your capped assessed value, up to $500,000) from your old Florida homestead to a new one. You file Form DR-501T along with your new homestead application, generally within three tax years of giving up the old homestead.

How do I file for a homestead exemption in Florida? +

File with your county Property Appraiser (for example the Miami-Dade or Broward County Property Appraiser) — most offer free online filing. You need proof the home was your permanent residence as of January 1, such as a Florida driver's license, voter registration or vehicle registration at the address. Once granted, it renews automatically each year.

What is the deadline for the Florida homestead exemption? +

March 1 of the tax year. You must own and permanently reside in the home as of January 1, and file by March 1 to receive the exemption for that year. Late applications may be considered with a valid reason, but filing on time is essential.

How much does the homestead exemption save in Florida? +

The $50,000 exemption itself saves roughly $600–$1,000 a year depending on your local millage, but the bigger long-term benefit is the Save Our Homes 3% cap, which keeps your taxable value well below market value the longer you stay — often saving thousands a year for long-time owners.

Do you have to reapply for the Florida homestead exemption every year? +

No. Once the Property Appraiser grants your homestead exemption it renews automatically each year, as long as you continue to own the home and keep it as your permanent residence. You only need to reapply if you move or lose eligibility.

Are there extra Florida homestead exemptions for seniors or veterans? +

Yes. Many counties offer an additional senior exemption for residents 65+ who meet income limits, and there are exemptions and discounts for widows/widowers, people with disabilities, and combat-disabled veterans. These stack on top of the standard homestead exemption — check with your county Property Appraiser.

Homestead Exemption Guide — how it works in every state.
Texas Homestead Exemption — the other big homestead state.
Florida Property Tax Calculator — estimate your bill.

⚠️ General information, not tax or legal advice. Florida homestead rules are administered by each county Property Appraiser and can change. Confirm current amounts, deadlines and eligibility with your county appraiser or the Florida Department of Revenue.