Florida Dept. of Revenue Property Tax - Taxpayers (2024)

FAQs

At what age do seniors stop paying property taxes in FL? ›

Senior Citizen Exemption – Property tax benefits are available to persons 65 or older in Florida. Seniors may qualify for an extra exemption for an additional $50,000 of home value.

Property to the value of $5,000 of every widow, widower, blind person, or totally and permanently disabled person who is a bona fide resident of this state is exempt from taxation. See Form DR-501. (see section 196.202, F.S.)

When someone owns property and makes it his or her permanent residence or the permanent residence of his or her dependent, the property owner may be eligible to receive a homestead exemption that would decrease the property's taxable value by as much as $50,000.

Applications are approved by mid-June; the status of an approved exemption will change to 'green' on your property record's detail page, and the status listed above for the appropriate year will change to “Yes.” In some cases, applications may be denied.

Certain property tax benefits are available to persons 65 or older in Florida. Eligibility for property tax exemptions depends on certain requirements. Information is available from the property appraiser's office in the county where the applicant owns a homestead or other property.

RELIGIOUS, CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL EXEMPTIONS

Real estate owned by certain religious, charitable or educational entities that are used for religious, charitable or educational purposes is exempt from property taxation. An exemption must be applied for through the Property Appraiser's office.

You are 65 years of age, or older, on January 1; You qualify for, and receive, the Florida Homestead Exemption; Your total 'Household Adjusted Gross Income' for everyone who lives on the property cannot exceed statutory limits.

Appealing your Home's Taxable Value

Any homeowner can ask for their home to be reassessed to determine its taxable value. If the appeals board reduces the value of the home, the tax burden will be lowered, because the property tax is computed by multiplying the home's taxable value by the current tax rate.

Every person who owns and resides on real property in Florida on January 1st and makes the property his or her permanent residence is eligible to receive a Homestead Exemption up to $50,000. The first $25,000 applies to all property taxes, including school district taxes.

There is an additional $50,000 homestead exemption (FLORIDA STATUTE 196.075) for person 65 and older. The adjusted gross income requirement for 2024 cannot exceed $36,614 for all members of the household. An application DR 501SC must be submitted along proof of income.

What is the granny flat exemption in Florida? ›

The 'Granny Flat' must be the permanent residence of the parent or grandparent. Only construction or reconstruction completed after January 7, 2003 qualifies. Construction or reconstruction must be properly permitted. The maximum reduction allowable is 20% of the total assessed value as improved.

An additional exemption is available if you have lived in your home for 25 years, you are age 65 or older on or before January 1 of the current year, and your adjusted gross income does not exceed the income limitation for the calendar year.

Do I need to re-apply for my Homestead Exemption every year? No, you do not. The Property Appraiser mails out in January an “Automatic Residential Renewal Receipt” to every homesteaded property owner. If you do not have any changes, you can keep the receipt as proof that you are eligible for the automatic renewal.

The Homestead Exemption is a valuable property tax benefit that can save homeowners up to $50,000 on their taxable value. The first $25,000 of this exemption applies to all taxing authorities. The second $25,000 excludes School Board taxes and applies to properties with assessed values greater than $50,000.

Any property owned by the taxpayer and situated in this state is subject to the taxes exempted by the improper homestead exemption, plus a penalty of 50% of the unpaid taxes for each year and interest at a rate of 15% per annum.

Florida with a just value less than $250,000, as determined in the first tax year that the owner applies and is eligible for the exemption, and who has maintained permanent residence on the property for at least 25 years, is 65 or older, and whose household income does not exceed the household income limitation.

Appealing your Home's Taxable Value

Any homeowner can ask for their home to be reassessed to determine its taxable value. If the appeals board reduces the value of the home, the tax burden will be lowered, because the property tax is computed by multiplying the home's taxable value by the current tax rate.

The age at which one is considered a senior citizen in Florida is generally between 60-65 years of age, it however varies depending on the context. For example, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs defines a senior citizen as someone who is 60 years of age or older.

Whether you're 65 or 95, seniors must pay capital gains tax where it's due. This can be on the sale of real estate or other investments that have increased in value over their original purchase price, which is known as the 'tax basis'.