Florida Property Tax Relief: Exemptions & How to File
Florida has 11 main property tax relief programs, administered through your County Property Appraiser. Filing is free.
Biggest benefit
Up to $50,000 total: $25,000 exemption applied to the first $50,000 of assessed value (all taxing levies), PLUS an additional $25,000 exemption applied to assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000 (all levies other than school district levies).
Earliest common deadline
March 1
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Never pay to file a property tax exemption
Applying for a homestead, senior, veteran, or disability exemption is always free through your County Property Appraiser. You do not need a middleman, and no one can file it "faster" for a fee.
Be skeptical of official-looking letters offering to file your homestead exemption, "designate" your homestead, or send you a copy of your deed for $50–$200. These are private solicitations, not government notices. When in doubt, contact your County Property Appraiser directly using the phone number on your tax bill.
Florida property tax relief programs
Amounts, eligibility, deadlines, and the official source for each program.
| Program | Benefit | Who qualifies | Deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homestead ExemptionHomestead | Up to $50,000 total: $25,000 exemption applied to the first $50,000 of assessed value (all taxing levies), PLUS an additional $25,000 exemption applied to assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000 (all levies other than school district levies). | Must own the property and maintain it as your permanent residence (or the permanent residence of a legal or natural dependent) as of January 1 of the tax year. Must be a permanent Florida resident. | March 1 | Official source ↗Fla. Stat. § 196.031; Fla. Const. Art. VII, § 6Form DR-501, Original Application for Homestead and Related Tax Exemptions ↗ |
| Save Our Homes Assessment Limitation (with Portability)Assessment Freeze | Caps the annual increase in the assessed value of a homestead property at the lower of 3% or the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Accumulated assessment savings (the 'assessment difference') may be transferred to a new Florida homestead, up to a maximum of $500,000. | Property must have a homestead exemption. For portability, a new Florida homestead must be established within three years of January 1 of the year the previous homestead was abandoned. | March 1 | Official source ↗Fla. Stat. § 193.155; Fla. Const. Art. VII, § 4(d)Form DR-501T, Transfer of Homestead Assessment Difference ↗ |
| Additional Homestead Exemption for Persons 65 and Older (Local Option)Senior (65+) | Up to an additional $50,000 exemption (the exact amount is set by each county or municipality by ordinance). Applies only to that jurisdiction's county or municipal taxes, not school district taxes. | Age 65+ · Income: Household adjusted gross income must not exceed the annually adjusted limit. The statutory base figure is $20,000, adjusted each January 1 by the change in the cost-of-living (CPI); the limit for 2026 is $38,686. · Must have legal or equitable title to the home and maintain it as your permanent residence; must be age 65 or older as of January 1. Available only where the county or municipality has adopted the exemption by ordinance. | March 1 | Official source ↗Fla. Stat. § 196.075; Fla. Const. Art. VII, § 6(d)Form DR-501SC, Adjusted Gross Household Income Sworn Statement and Return ↗ |
| Long-Term Residency Senior Exemption (Local Option)Senior (65+) | Exemption equal to the entire assessed value of the homestead (a total exemption from applicable county or municipal taxes), for qualifying long-term senior residents. | Age 65+ · Income: Household income must not exceed the same annually adjusted limit as the additional senior exemption (statutory base $20,000, adjusted annually; $38,686 for 2026). · Must be age 65 or older, have maintained permanent residence on the property for at least 25 years, and the just (market) value of the property must be less than $250,000. Available only where adopted by county or municipal ordinance. | March 1 | Official source ↗Fla. Stat. § 196.075(2)(b); Fla. Const. Art. VII, § 6(d)Form DR-501SC, Adjusted Gross Household Income Sworn Statement and Return ↗ |
| Disabled Veteran $5,000 ExemptionVeteran | $5,000 of assessed value exempt from taxation. | Disabled to a degree of 10 percent or more by misfortune or while serving during a period of wartime service (service-connected). · Must be a bona fide Florida resident and have received an honorable discharge. Also available to the unremarried surviving spouse. | March 1Late filing: up to 4 years back | Official source ↗Fla. Stat. § 196.24Form DR-501, Original Application for Homestead and Related Tax Exemptions ↗ |
| Full Exemption for Totally and Permanently Disabled VeteransVeteran | Complete exemption from ad valorem taxation on the homestead property (100% property tax exemption). | Service-connected total and permanent disability, certified by a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. · Must be honorably discharged, own and occupy the property as a homestead, and be a permanent Florida resident on January 1 of the tax year (or have been at time of death, for surviving spouse eligibility). | March 1Late filing: up to 4 years back | Official source ↗Fla. Stat. § 196.081Form DR-501, Original Application for Homestead and Related Tax Exemptions ↗ |
| Combat-Related Disabled Veteran 65+ DiscountVeteran | A homestead property tax discount equal to the veteran's percentage of permanent, service-connected combat-related disability as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (e.g., a 50% rating yields a 50% discount). | Age 65+ · Partially or totally permanent combat-related disability as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. · Must be age 65 or older, honorably discharged, and own and reside in the homestead property. | March 1 | Official source ↗Fla. Stat. § 196.082; Fla. Const. Art. VII, § 6(f)Form DR-501DV, Application and Return for Homestead Tax Discount, Veterans Age 65 and Older with a Combat-Related Disability ↗ |
| Total and Permanent Disability Exemption (Quadriplegics and Others)Disability | Complete exemption from taxation for quadriplegics. Persons who are paraplegic, hemiplegic, wheelchair-dependent, or legally blind and totally and permanently disabled receive a total exemption if they meet the income limitation. | Quadriplegia (no income test); or paraplegia, hemiplegia, other total and permanent disability requiring use of a wheelchair for mobility, or legal blindness (subject to income limit). Total and permanent disability must be certified. · Income: For non-quadriplegic totally and permanently disabled applicants, prior-year gross household income of all persons residing on the homestead must not exceed the statutory limit (base $14,500, adjusted annually for cost of living). Quadriplegics have no income limit. · Must be a permanent Florida resident and use and own the property as a homestead. | March 1 | Official source ↗Fla. Stat. § 196.101; Fla. Const. Art. VII, § 6Form DR-416, Physician's Certification of Total and Permanent Disability (filed with Form DR-501) ↗ |
| First Responder Total and Permanent Disability ExemptionDisability | Complete exemption from ad valorem taxation on the homestead property (100% property tax exemption). | Total and permanent disability resulting from an injury or injuries sustained in the line of duty as a first responder. · Must own and use the property as a homestead and be a permanent Florida resident on January 1 of the tax year. Extends to an unremarried surviving spouse holding title and residing on the property. | March 1 | Official source ↗Fla. Stat. § 196.102Form DR-501, Original Application for Homestead and Related Tax Exemptions ↗ |
| $5,000 Exemption for Blind, Totally Disabled Persons, and Widows/WidowersDisability | $5,000 of assessed value exempt from taxation. | Blindness or total and permanent disability, currently certified by a licensed Florida physician, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or the Social Security Administration (not required for the widow/widower category). · Must be a bona fide resident of Florida. | March 1Late filing: up to 4 years back | Official source ↗Fla. Stat. § 196.202Form DR-501, Original Application for Homestead and Related Tax Exemptions ↗ |
| Homestead Tax DeferralTax Deferral | Defers payment of a portion of homestead ad valorem taxes and non-ad valorem assessments: for applicants under 65, taxes exceeding 5% of household income may be deferred; for applicants 65 or older, taxes exceeding 3% of household income may be deferred; applicants with household income under $10,000 (or who qualify under the additional homestead exemption thresholds) may defer the entire amount. Deferred taxes become a lien accruing interest. | Income: Deferral thresholds are income-based: taxes above 5% of prior-year household income (under 65) or 3% (age 65+) may be deferred; full deferral if income is under $10,000. · Must be entitled to claim the homestead tax exemption under Fla. Stat. § 196.031(1) on the property. | March 31 | Official source ↗Fla. Stat. § 197.252 |
Missed a deadline? You may still be able to file — and get money back.
Several programs here accept late applications for prior years. If approved, your County Property Appraisercan reduce a bill you haven't paid or refund taxes you already paid on the exempted amount.
- ↻Disabled Veteran $5,000 Exemption: late applications accepted up to 4 years back — File with the county property appraiser by March 1, with proof of the VA disability rating and honorable discharge. Refunds of excess taxes paid are limited to the prior 4 years once VA documentation is received.
- ↻Full Exemption for Totally and Permanently Disabled Veterans: late applications accepted up to 4 years back — File with the county property appraiser by March 1 with the VA certification letter.
- ↻$5,000 Exemption for Blind, Totally Disabled Persons, and Widows/Widowers: late applications accepted up to 4 years back — File with the county property appraiser by March 1 with required certification of blindness, disability, or death of spouse.
For veterans
In most states a higher VA disability rating unlocks a larger — often total — property tax exemption.
Trusted Resources
Trusted tools to help you claim what you've earned
VA Claims Academy
A 100% VA disability rating unlocks full property tax exemptions in most states. VA Claims Academy helps veterans pursue the rating increases they may be owed.
Visit VA Claims Academy →*
* Affiliate disclosure: GovSifter may earn a commission from links above. This does not affect program listings or editorial content.
For seniors
Planning ahead protects your exemption and your home.
Trusted Resources
Trusted tools to help you claim what you've earned
CareSifter — Find trusted senior care
Property tax relief is one piece of aging in place affordably. CareSifter helps families compare in-home care, assisted living, and senior services.
Explore CareSifter →*Trust & Will — Estate planning made simple
Keeping a homestead exemption in the family often depends on how the home is titled. Trust & Will makes wills, trusts, and transfer-on-death deeds affordable and online.
Start with Trust & Will →*
* Affiliate disclosure: GovSifter may earn a commission from links above. This does not affect program listings or editorial content.
Florida property tax relief FAQ
What property tax exemptions are available in Florida?
Florida offers 11 main property tax relief programs: Homestead Exemption, Save Our Homes Assessment Limitation (with Portability), Additional Homestead Exemption for Persons 65 and Older (Local Option), Long-Term Residency Senior Exemption (Local Option), Disabled Veteran $5,000 Exemption, Full Exemption for Totally and Permanently Disabled Veterans, Combat-Related Disabled Veteran 65+ Discount, Total and Permanent Disability Exemption (Quadriplegics and Others), First Responder Total and Permanent Disability Exemption, $5,000 Exemption for Blind, Totally Disabled Persons, and Widows/Widowers, Homestead Tax Deferral. Each is administered through your County Property Appraiser.
How do I apply for a property tax exemption in Florida?
You apply through your County Property Appraiser — for free. Most exemptions require a one-time application by the deadline; check each program for its form and cutoff date. You never need to pay a third party to file.
I missed the Florida exemption deadline — can I still file?
Possibly. Disabled Veteran $5,000 Exemption accepts late applications up to 4 years back; Full Exemption for Totally and Permanently Disabled Veterans accepts late applications up to 4 years back; $5,000 Exemption for Blind, Totally Disabled Persons, and Widows/Widowers accepts late applications up to 4 years back. If approved, you may receive a reduced bill or a refund of taxes paid on the exempted value.
Is filing for a Florida property tax exemption free?
Yes. Filing is always free through your County Property Appraiser. Letters offering to file your homestead exemption for a fee are private solicitations, not government notices.
Compare Florida to other states by relief type
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