Available Exemptions

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION INFORMATION

What is the Homestead Exemption? A homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of the property that you use as your permanent residence by an amount up to $50,000. The first $25,000 applies to all property taxes including school district taxes. The additional exemption up to $25,000, applies to the assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000 and only to non-school taxes. This represents a substantial savings on the taxes levied against your property by the various taxing authorities.

Who May File. Every person who has legal or equitable title to real property in Florida and who has recorded the title instrument in the public records of the county where application is made. The applicant must reside on the property as of January 1st and must in good faith, make it their permanent residence to be eligible. For example, if you were residing in your permanent residence on January 1, 2009, then you are eligible for a 2009 homestead exemption.

When to File. Exemption applications must be made between January 1st and March 1st for the tax year eligible. For example, if you are living in your permanent home on January 1st, 2009 then you have until the close of business of March 1, 2009 to file your homestead exemption for that year. Failure to make application by March 1 of the tax year shall constitute a waiver of the exemption privilege for that year.

Where to Apply.
Property Appraiser's Office
Taylor County Courthouse
108 N Jefferson St. Suite 201 Perry, Florida 32347

First Time Applicants. First-time applicants must come in person to file their application. Only one signature is required for joint owners who are married with the same last name; however, all documentation listed below must be provided.

The Following Information Is Required. 1. Florida Driver License reflecting current residential address:
2. Florida Vehicle Registrations reflecting current residential address. All vehicles owned by the applicants must have resident Florida registrations. This also applies to military personnel. Leased vehicles and nonresident registrations CAN NOT be accepted.
3. Social Security Numbers.
4. Declaration of Domicile or Florida Voter Registration Card reflecting current residential address. If an owner does not have a car registered in their name, one of these documents will be required as proof of residency.

Renewal. The Property Appraisers Office will mail you a renewal card each year in January. Please read the instructions carefully and be sure to comply with deadlines.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If I buy a property, which currently has a homestead exemption, do I get the benefit of that exemption for the remainder of the year?

If I buy a new home, may I transfer my homestead exemption?

Do I have to be a citizen to qualify?

What if the property is in a trust?

Can I get a homestead exemption on a mobile home?

If I buy a property, which currently has a homestead exemption, do I get the benefit of that exemption for the remainder of the year?
If the seller had homestead exemption, the buyer may have the advantage of the seller's homestead exemption for the remainder of the sale year. However, the ''carried over'' homestead exemption will be removed as of December 31st of the sale year. The new owner must apply by the deadline for homestead exemption in their name for the following year. For example, if you purchase a homesteaded home in June of 2003, you will get the benefit of the previous owner's homestead exemption until December 31, 2003. For 2004, you must file an original homestead exemption application by March 1, 2004.

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If I buy a new home, may I transfer my homestead exemption?
If you currently have a homestead exemption and purchased a new home in the same county, you must come into the office to do a transfer. A deed to the new property and a former tax bill or homestead card from the old property will be required. Additional documents will be required if the named property owners differ from one property's title to the other. Please call for details for your specific case.

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Do I have to be a citizen to qualify?
Citizenship is not a requirement to file for homestead exemption. However, an applicant who is not a U.S. citizen must prove that they have permanent residency status when they apply. Please bring your INS issued permanent residency photo ID card when filing a homestead application.

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What if the property is in a trust?
The applicant must furnish this office with a copy of the trust agreement. Florida law specifies those situations under which the resident may obtain homestead exemption. The Florida Constitution requires that the homestead claimant have legal title or beneficial title in equity to the property.

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Can I get a homestead exemption on a mobile home?
Yes, if you possess a mobile home Real Property (RP) decal and own the land. When applying, you must bring in the title or registration to the mobile home.

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Military Homestead Exemptions

Active-duty military members may retain their homestead exemption when stationed out of the area on official PCS orders. Applicants must meet homestead eligibility, maintain Florida residency, maintain a valid Florida driver license, and the homestead must have been in place before leaving the area.

The homestead must be renewed annually. Our office will mail you the appropriate forms to the latest address that we have on record.
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Widow/Widower Exemption

$5000 Widow Exemption. Any widow who is a permanent Florida resident may claim this exemption. If the widow remarries, she is no longer eligible. If the husband and wife were divorced before his death, the woman is not considered a widow. You will be required to produce a recorded death certificate when filing for the first time. You must file your application in person at the Property Appraiser's Office.

$5000 Widower Exemption. Any widower who is a permanent Florida resident may claim this exemption. If the widower remarries he is no longer eligible. If a husband and wife were divorced before her death, the man is not considered a widower. You will be required to produce a death certificate when filing the first time. You must file your application in person at the Property Appraiser's Office.

Where to Apply.
Taylor County Property Appraiser's Office
108 N Jefferson St. Suite 201
Perry, Fl 32348

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Non Service Connected Total & Permanent Exemption

1. Quadriplegic. Any real estate used and owned as a homestead, less any portion thereof used for commercial purposes by any quadriplegic shall be exempt from taxation.

2. Other Categories. Any real estate used and owned as a homestead, less any portion thereof used for commercial purposes, by a paraplegic, hemiplegic, or other totally and permanently disabled person, as defined in section 196.012 (11), Florida statutes, who must use a wheelchair for mobility or who is legally blind, shall be exempt from taxation.

Persons entitled to the exemption under 2. above, must be a permanent resident of the State of Florida as of January 1st of the year of application. If filing for the first time, you must meet income eligibility requirements and present completed Department of Revenue forms from two (2) Florida physicians (See the ''Forms'' section of this website). The doctors must be from two different offices. Total household income must not exceed the limit announced by the State of Florida each January. An income verification form must be filled out and notarized. Yearly income verification is required. You must file your application in person at the Taylor County Property Appraiser's Office.
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Non Service-Connected Disability Exemption

1. $5000 Disability Exemption. Applicants must submit a statement a statement of disability from one licensed, Florida physician on the state required form. See the ''Forms'' section of this website. You must file your application in person at one of the two Property Appraiser's Office locations.

2. $5000 Blind Exemption. Every Florida resident who is blind qualifies for this exemption. To claim this exemption you must bring in either:
a. A certificate from the Division of Blind Services of the Department of Education or the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or
b. A form from one Florida physician certifying the applicant to be blind. See the ''Forms'' section of this website. ''Blind person'' is defined as an individual having central visual acuity 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting glasses, or a disqualifying field defect in which the peripheral field has contracted to such an extent that the widest diameter or visual field subtends an angular distance no greater than 20 degrees.

Where to Apply.
Taylor County Property Appraiser's Office
108 N Jefferson St. Suite 201
Perry, Fl 32348

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Veterans Disability Exemption

$5000 Veterans Disability Exemption. Any honorably discharged veteran with a service-connected disability, less than total and permanent, is entitled to this exemption. If filing for the first time, present a certificate from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. This certificate must prove your disability compensation of 10 percent to 90 percent related to wartime or service-connected disability. You must file your application in person at the Taylor County Property Appraiser's Office.

Total and Permanent Service-Connected Disability. Any honorably discharged veteran with a service-connected total and permanent disability, surviving spouses of qualifying veterans and spouses of Florida resident veterans who died from service-connected causes while on active duty as a member of the United States Armed Forces are entitled to exemption on real estate used and owned as a homestead less any portion thereof used for commercial purposes. Persons entitled to this exemption must have been a permanent resident of the state as of January 1st of the year of application.

Under certain circumstances, the benefit of the exemption can carry over to the veteran's spouse in the event of the veteran's death. Contact us for details. If filing for the first time, please bring a certificate from the United States Government or United States Department of Veterans Affairs as your proof of a service-connected disability or death of your spouse while on active duty. You must file your application in person at the Taylor County Property Appraiser's Office

Where to Apply.
Taylor County Property Appraiser's Office
108 N Jefferson St. Suite 201
Perry, Fl 32348

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Forms are available on forms download page