When is the deadline to file for homestead exemption in Florida?

Applications are due March 1 of the tax year. When March 1 falls on a weekend, the deadline moves to the next business day. You must own the home and make it your permanent residence by January 1 of that year.

I closed on my home in June. When do I file?

File for the following tax year. If you close in 2026 and the home is your permanent residence on January 1, 2027, apply by March 1, 2027. Many property appraisers accept applications early, as soon as your deed is recorded.

How much does the homestead exemption save?

It reduces the taxable value of your primary home. The first $25,000 applies to all property taxes, and an additional exemption applies to non-school taxes on assessed value above $50,000. That second amount is now adjusted for inflation: for 2026 it is $26,411, covering assessed value from $50,000 to $76,411, for a total of $51,411.

Can I keep my tax savings if I move to another Florida home?

Yes. Portability lets you transfer up to $500,000 of your Save Our Homes benefit to a new Florida homestead if you establish it within three tax years of leaving the old one. You apply for portability with your homestead application.

How to File Florida Homestead Exemption

Q: What is the Save Our Homes cap?

Once your home has a homestead exemption, its assessed value can rise by no more than 3 percent a year or the change in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower, even if market value rises faster.

The Florida homestead exemption is one of the biggest savings available to new homeowners, and it is easy to miss because it is not part of the closing. You apply on your own with the county property appraiser after you move in.

Who Qualifies

You can claim the homestead exemption if, as of January 1 of the tax year:

You hold legal or beneficial title to the home, and
The home is your permanent residence

You can claim only one homestead, in Florida or anywhere else.

The Dates That Matter

Date	What it means
January 1	You must own the home and live in it as your permanent residence
March 1	Application deadline for that tax year (next business day if it falls on a weekend)

If you close in June 2026 and live in the home on January 1, 2027, your first homestead year is 2027 and the deadline is March 1, 2027. Most property appraisers accept applications as soon as your deed is recorded, so filing early is the easiest way not to forget.

What It Saves

The exemption lowers the taxable value of your home:

$25,000 off the assessed value for all property taxes, including school taxes
An additional exemption for non-school taxes on assessed value above $50,000, now adjusted each year for inflation. For 2026 it is $26,411, covering assessed value from $50,000 to $76,411

For 2026, the combined exemption is $51,411 for a qualifying home.

The Save Our Homes Cap

After your first homestead year, the Save Our Homes cap limits how much your assessed value can rise: no more than 3 percent a year or the change in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower. In a rising market, this cap is often worth more over time than the exemption itself.

Portability When You Move

If you sell one Florida homestead and buy another, you can usually carry your Save Our Homes savings with you. Portability transfers up to $500,000 of the difference between your old home's market value and assessed value, as long as you establish the new homestead within three tax years. Apply for portability on your homestead application for the new home.

How to Apply in Central Florida

Apply with the property appraiser in the county where your home is:

Orlando and Orange County: Orange County Property Appraiser
Lake Mary, Sanford and Oviedo: Seminole County Property Appraiser
Kissimmee and St. Cloud: Osceola County Property Appraiser

Each office offers online filing. Have these ready:

Your recorded deed or the date your deed was recorded
Florida driver's license or ID showing the property address
Florida vehicle registration, if you own a vehicle
Florida voter registration, if you are registered to vote
Social Security numbers for every owner applying

A Note on 2026 Changes

Florida voters will decide a proposed constitutional amendment on the November 3, 2026 ballot that would raise the non-school homestead exemption in later years. See our Amendment 3 explainer for details. Until any change takes effect, the rules above apply. Your county property appraiser has the most current information.

How We Help

After your closing, we record your deed with the county clerk or comptroller. Once it is recorded, you can find it in the county's official records search. If you have questions about your closing or your deed, call us at (888) 354-8005.