Last reviewed: October 22, 2026. Laws, tax rates and programs change — confirm details with the official sources below and your lender, title company, insurance agent or attorney. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Who qualifies
You must hold title to the property and make it your permanent residence as of January 1 of the tax year. Apply with your county property appraiser — the Miami-Dade Property Appraiser or the Broward County Property Appraiser.
How much it’s worth
The homestead exemption can reduce the assessed value by up to $50,000. The first $25,000 applies to all property taxes, including school taxes. An additional exemption of up to $25,000 applies to the assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000 and does not apply to school taxes.
Save Our Homes cap
After your first year with homestead, annual increases in your home’s assessed value are capped at 3% or the change in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower.
Portability
When you move from one Florida homestead to another, you may be able to transfer some or all of your Save Our Homes benefit (up to $500,000) to the new home if you establish the new homestead within the time allowed by law. Apply for portability along with your new homestead application.
Deadline and how to apply
The filing deadline is March 1. Both Miami-Dade and Broward accept applications online. You’ll typically need your deed or closing information, Florida driver’s license or ID with the property address, vehicle registration and voter registration (if applicable), and Social Security numbers for owners and spouses.
Other exemptions
Florida offers additional exemptions for seniors (with income limits set locally), veterans with disabilities, surviving spouses, people with disabilities and others. Check your property appraiser’s site for details.
Frequently asked questions
When is the homestead deadline?
March 1 for the tax year. If you buy in 2026 and live there on January 1, 2027, apply by March 1, 2027.
Do I need to reapply every year?
Generally no — it renews automatically as long as you remain eligible, but you must notify the property appraiser if the home stops being your permanent residence.
Does homestead reset when I buy a home?
A sale generally resets the assessed value to market value as of the next January 1; the new owner then applies for their own exemption.