How to Apply For Homestead Exemption
Possibly the most significant homestead benefit is that creditors, in most cases, may not access the homestead for debts. This is true even at death. Combining the foregoing financial benefits with this creditor protection, Florida homestead can be an immensely valuable benefit for Florida residents.
Claiming a Florida homestead exemption involves some very specific requirements that must be completed within a specified time frame and which, of necessity, must be completed in a certain order. Florida law requires a homeowner to own and occupy the residence as of January 1 of the year in which the application is made, although the application may be filed as late as March 1. The forms are available from each County’s Property Appraiser’s Office and may also be found on the internet. When applying, the homeowner must present the following:
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A valid Florida driver’s license or state ID card.
A Florida ID Card may be used in lieu of a driver’s license if the homeowner does not have a driver’s license. Florida will recognize a Michigan driver’s license as justification for issuing a new Florida driver’s license without an exam or road test, often for a much longer time than the remaining duration of the Michigan license. However, Florida has extensive identification requirements including (1) primary identification (e.g. a certified copy of a birth certificate or a valid passport), (2) proof of a Social Security Number, and (3) proof of the residential address. You should carefully review the requirements on the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website.
Either a valid voter’s registration or a Declaration of Domicile reflecting the homeowner’s Florida address.
Proof of ownership of your property in the form of a copy of a tax bill or your deed.
Fortunately, once you’ve taken these steps, it shouldn’t be necessary to take them again. Just keep telling yourself “I’m doing this for a [tax saving] reason” as you slog through the bureaucracy.
Click on this link to access your property appraiser’s site and locate your homestead exemption application.
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