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Summary of Administrative Process for the 10% Assessment Increase Limitation
All non-homestead residential property and certain residential and
nonresidential property be assessed at just value as of January 1, 2008.
Thereafter, the property must be reassessed annually and any change
resulting from the reassessment of such property may not exceed 10
percent of the just value of the property in the prior year.
In addition it requires that owners of property subject to the 10%
assessment increase limitation shall, on or before March 1 of each year,
apply with the county property appraiser. Failure to apply constitutes a
waiver of the assessment limitation unless the failure was due to postal
error or unless the Value Adjustment Board accepts a late application due
to particular extenuating circumstances.
All non-homestead residential property and certain residential and
nonresidential property be assessed at just value as of January 1, 2008.
Thereafter, the property must be reassessed annually and any change
resulting from the reassessment of such property may not exceed 10
percent of the just value of the property in the prior year.
In addition it requires that owners of property subject to the 10%
assessment increase limitation shall, on or before March 1 of each year,
apply with the county property appraiser. Failure to apply constitutes a
waiver of the assessment limitation unless the failure was due to postal
error or unless the Value Adjustment Board accepts a late application due
to particular extenuating circumstances.
The following is a general list of exemptions available in Florida.
When to File
Generally, initial application for property tax exemption must be made
between January 1 and March 1 of the year for which the exemption is
sought. Initial application should be made in person at the property
appraiser's office.
$25,000 Homestead Exemption
Every person who has legal or equitable title to real property in the State
of Florida and who resides on the property on January 1 and in good faith
makes it his or her permanent home is eligible for a homestead
exemption. If title is held by the husband alone, a wife may file for him, with
his consent, and vice-versa. If property is held by the entireties, one
spouse may file as agent for the other.
If filing for the first time, be prepared to answer these questions:
In whose name or names was the title to the dwelling recorded as of January 1?
What is the street address of the property?
How long have you been a legal resident of the State of Florida?
(A Declaration of Domicile or Voter's Registration will be proof of date before January 1.)
Do you have a Florida license plate on your car and a Florida driver's license?
Were you living in the dwelling on January 1?
$500 Widow's and Widower's Exemption
Any widow or widower who is a bona fide Florida resident may claim this
exemption. On remarriage, the widow or widower is ineligible for the
exemption. A person who is divorced before the spouse's death is not
considered a widow or widower.
$500 Disability Exemption
A Florida resident who is totally and permanently disabled may qualify for
this exemption.
$5,000 Disability Exemption for Ex-service member
An ex-service member disabled at least 10% in war or by
service-connected misfortune may be entitled to a $5000 exemption on
any property owned by the ex-service member.
$500 Exemption for Blind Persons
A Florida resident who is blind may qualify for this exemption. If claiming
exemption based on blindness, the applicant must have a certificate of
blindness issued by the Division of Blind Services of the Department of
Education, the Federal Social Security Administration, or the Veteran's
Administration.
Service Connected Total and Permanent Disability Exemption
An honorably discharged veteran with service-connected total and
permanent disability may qualify for total exemption of homesteaded real
estate used and owned as a homestead, less any portion used for
commercial purposes. An existing exemption can be transferred to a new
qualifying residence.Application must be made on the new residence and
all other criteria met for the continued homestead exemption.
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.
Exemption for Totally and Permanently Disabled Persons
1.Real estate used and owned as a homestead by a quadriplegic, less
any portion used for commercial purposes, is exempt from taxation.
2.Real estate used and owned as a homestead, less any portion used for
commercial purposes, by a paraplegic, hemiplegic, or other totally and
permanently disabled person, who must use a wheelchair for mobility or
who is legally blind, is exempt from taxation.
A person seeking exemption under number 2 above must meet gross
income limitations. Gross income includes veterans' and social security
benefits. The gross income of all persons residing in the homestead for
the prior year cannot exceed $14,500. However, beginning January 1,
1991, the $14,500 limitation will be adjusted annually. The adjustment will
be based on the percentage change in the average cost-of-living index of
the immediate year compared with the prior year.
If filing for the first time, a certificate of total and permanent disability from
two licensed doctors of this state or from the. For the legally blind, one of
the two certificates may be from a licensed optometrist of this state.
Additional homestead exemption for persons 65 and older
In accordance with s. 6(f), Art. VII of the State Constitution, the board of
county commissioners of any county or the governing authority of any
municipality may adopt an ordinance to allow an additional homestead
exemption of up to $50,000 for any person who has the legal or equitable
title to real estate and maintains thereon the permanent residence of the
owner, who has attained age 65, and whose household income does not
exceed $20,000.
Beginning January 1, 2001, the $20,000 income limitation shall be
adjusted annually, on January 1, by the percentage change in the
average cost-of-living index in the period January 1 through December 31
of the immediate prior year compared with the same period for the year
prior to that. The index is the average of the monthly
consumer-price-index figures for the stated 12-month period, relative to
the United States as a whole, issued by the United States Department of
Labor.
Counties and municipalities offering the additional homestead exemption
for persons 65 and older
Homestead Property Tax Discount For Veterans Age 65 and Older
With a Combat Related Disability
This amendment provides a property tax discount on homestead property
owned by eligible veterans. To be eligible, a veteran must have an
honorable discharge from military service, be at least 65 years old, be
partially disabled with a permanent service connected disability all or a
portion of which must be combat-related, and must have been a Florida
resident at the time of entering military service.
Homestead Tax Deferral
A person who is entitled to claim homestead tax exemption may elect to
defer payment of part of the combined total taxes. The combined total
includes ad valorem taxes and any non- ad valorem assessments that
would be covered by a tax certificate sold by the tax collector. An annual
application for tax deferral should be filed with the county tax collector on
or before January 31, following the year in which the taxes and non-ad
valorem assessments are assessed. Approval of an application for tax
deferral will defer the portion of property tax that exceeds 5 percent of the
applicant's household income for the prior year. If household income for
the prior year is less than $10,000, all ad valorem taxes plus non-ad
valorem assessments will be deferred.
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, 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.
Installment Payment of Property Taxes
Taxpayers who want to prepay property taxes on the installment plan
should file an application with the tax collector by May 1 of the year in
which the taxes are assessed. After submission of an initial application, a
taxpayer is not required to submit annual applications as long as he
continues to elect to prepay taxes by installments. For additional
information as to discounts and payment dates, contact the local county
tax collector. Effective January 1, 1993, county tax collectors may accept
an installment payment of property tax on the next business day following
the due date, if the last day for payment falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or
holiday.
Personal Property For purposes of property taxation, personal
property is divided into these categories:
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.
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.
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.
When to File
Generally, initial application for property tax exemption must be made
between January 1 and March 1 of the year for which the exemption is
sought. Initial application should be made in person at the property
appraiser's office.
$25,000 Homestead Exemption
Every person who has legal or equitable title to real property in the State
of Florida and who resides on the property on January 1 and in good faith
makes it his or her permanent home is eligible for a homestead
exemption. If title is held by the husband alone, a wife may file for him, with
his consent, and vice-versa. If property is held by the entireties, one
spouse may file as agent for the other.
If filing for the first time, be prepared to answer these questions:
In whose name or names was the title to the dwelling recorded as of January 1?
What is the street address of the property?
How long have you been a legal resident of the State of Florida?
(A Declaration of Domicile or Voter's Registration will be proof of date before January 1.)
Do you have a Florida license plate on your car and a Florida driver's license?
Were you living in the dwelling on January 1?
$500 Widow's and Widower's Exemption
Any widow or widower who is a bona fide Florida resident may claim this
exemption. On remarriage, the widow or widower is ineligible for the
exemption. A person who is divorced before the spouse's death is not
considered a widow or widower.
$500 Disability Exemption
A Florida resident who is totally and permanently disabled may qualify for
this exemption.
$5,000 Disability Exemption for Ex-service member
An ex-service member disabled at least 10% in war or by
service-connected misfortune may be entitled to a $5000 exemption on
any property owned by the ex-service member.
$500 Exemption for Blind Persons
A Florida resident who is blind may qualify for this exemption. If claiming
exemption based on blindness, the applicant must have a certificate of
blindness issued by the Division of Blind Services of the Department of
Education, the Federal Social Security Administration, or the Veteran's
Administration.
Service Connected Total and Permanent Disability Exemption
An honorably discharged veteran with service-connected total and
permanent disability may qualify for total exemption of homesteaded real
estate used and owned as a homestead, less any portion used for
commercial purposes. An existing exemption can be transferred to a new
qualifying residence.Application must be made on the new residence and
all other criteria met for the continued homestead exemption.
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.
Exemption for Totally and Permanently Disabled Persons
1.Real estate used and owned as a homestead by a quadriplegic, less
any portion used for commercial purposes, is exempt from taxation.
2.Real estate used and owned as a homestead, less any portion used for
commercial purposes, by a paraplegic, hemiplegic, or other totally and
permanently disabled person, who must use a wheelchair for mobility or
who is legally blind, is exempt from taxation.
A person seeking exemption under number 2 above must meet gross
income limitations. Gross income includes veterans' and social security
benefits. The gross income of all persons residing in the homestead for
the prior year cannot exceed $14,500. However, beginning January 1,
1991, the $14,500 limitation will be adjusted annually. The adjustment will
be based on the percentage change in the average cost-of-living index of
the immediate year compared with the prior year.
If filing for the first time, a certificate of total and permanent disability from
two licensed doctors of this state or from the. For the legally blind, one of
the two certificates may be from a licensed optometrist of this state.
Additional homestead exemption for persons 65 and older
In accordance with s. 6(f), Art. VII of the State Constitution, the board of
county commissioners of any county or the governing authority of any
municipality may adopt an ordinance to allow an additional homestead
exemption of up to $50,000 for any person who has the legal or equitable
title to real estate and maintains thereon the permanent residence of the
owner, who has attained age 65, and whose household income does not
exceed $20,000.
Beginning January 1, 2001, the $20,000 income limitation shall be
adjusted annually, on January 1, by the percentage change in the
average cost-of-living index in the period January 1 through December 31
of the immediate prior year compared with the same period for the year
prior to that. The index is the average of the monthly
consumer-price-index figures for the stated 12-month period, relative to
the United States as a whole, issued by the United States Department of
Labor.
Counties and municipalities offering the additional homestead exemption
for persons 65 and older
Homestead Property Tax Discount For Veterans Age 65 and Older
With a Combat Related Disability
This amendment provides a property tax discount on homestead property
owned by eligible veterans. To be eligible, a veteran must have an
honorable discharge from military service, be at least 65 years old, be
partially disabled with a permanent service connected disability all or a
portion of which must be combat-related, and must have been a Florida
resident at the time of entering military service.
Homestead Tax Deferral
A person who is entitled to claim homestead tax exemption may elect to
defer payment of part of the combined total taxes. The combined total
includes ad valorem taxes and any non- ad valorem assessments that
would be covered by a tax certificate sold by the tax collector. An annual
application for tax deferral should be filed with the county tax collector on
or before January 31, following the year in which the taxes and non-ad
valorem assessments are assessed. Approval of an application for tax
deferral will defer the portion of property tax that exceeds 5 percent of the
applicant's household income for the prior year. If household income for
the prior year is less than $10,000, all ad valorem taxes plus non-ad
valorem assessments will be deferred.
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, 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.
Installment Payment of Property Taxes
Taxpayers who want to prepay property taxes on the installment plan
should file an application with the tax collector by May 1 of the year in
which the taxes are assessed. After submission of an initial application, a
taxpayer is not required to submit annual applications as long as he
continues to elect to prepay taxes by installments. For additional
information as to discounts and payment dates, contact the local county
tax collector. Effective January 1, 1993, county tax collectors may accept
an installment payment of property tax on the next business day following
the due date, if the last day for payment falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or
holiday.
Personal Property For purposes of property taxation, personal
property is divided into these categories:
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.
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.
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.
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