AARP Foundation

Find Property Tax Relief in Your State

Take the first step toward checking your eligibility to apply for property tax relief programs in your state.

Select your state to learn more about available programs and how to apply. The resources on this page are updated as new information becomes available.

Florida Program Overview

Looking for property tax relief in Florida? There are four main ways to apply for property tax relief:

  • Homestead Exemption
  • Senior Low-Income Citizen Exemption
  • Long-Term Resident Senior Citizen Exemption
  • Property Tax Deferral Program

Property Tax-Aide features widely available property tax relief programs in Florida, including those that local governments may have expanded to include additional benefits for older residents. They are Homestead Exemption, Senior Low-Income Citizen Exemption (available in certain counties and municipalities), Long-Term Resident Senior Citizen Exemption (available in certain counties and municipalities), and Property Tax Deferral.

The information on this page is updated as new information becomes available by the relevant tax agencies.

Homestead Exemption

Property owners who live in the home as their permanent residence may be eligible to receive a Homestead Exemption. The first exemption of $25,000 applies to all property taxes, including school district taxes. An additional exemption of up to $25,000 applies to the assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000. This exemption applies to non-school taxes.

With a Homestead Exemption, the assessed value of the property cannot increase by more than 3% each year, regardless of market value.

Eligibility
  • Property owner lives in the home that is the permanent residence as of January 1.
  • Cannot have a homestead exemption on another property in any other county, state, or country.
  • Be a U.S. citizen or possess a Permanent Resident Card.
Application Deadline
  • Applications are submitted to the county property appraiser on or before March 1 of the current tax year.
  • Some counties allow for electronic filing.
  • The exemption automatically renews each year as long as there is no change in the title and the homeowner continues to reside in the home.
  • If you move, you have to apply for the exemption on the new property.
Required Documentation

The applicant will need to show proof of ownership and residency, including when they became a permanent Florida resident. All proof of residency should be dated before January 1. Such proof includes:

  • Evidence of ownership (deed, tax receipt, etc.)
  • Social Security numbers for all applicants and spouses
  • Voter Registration (if you vote) dated
  • Florida Driver’s License
  • Florida Vehicle Registration
  • Address of last Federal income tax return filed
  • If property is titled in a trust, a copy of the entire trust must be submitted

Senior Low-Income Citizen Exemption

An additional exemption of up to $50,000 may be available for homeowners who have or are eligible for and are applying for the Homestead Exemption. This exemption is available to those 65 or over with an income below an annually adjusted income limit.
By local option, the county and other jurisdictions may adopt this additional exemption. The amount of exemption is set by each jurisdiction.

To determine if this program has been adopted by the county and other taxing jurisdictions, contact your county appraiser.

Eligibility
  • Homeowner must have a current Homestead Exemption (see information on Homestead Exemption above).
  • Applicant must be 65 or older as of January 1.
  • Income does not exceed the total adjusted gross household income. This limit is adjusted each year based on the change in the consumer price index.
  • For 2025 senior exemption, the 2025 adjusted gross income cannot exceed $38,686 per year for the entire household.
Application Deadline
  • Filing period for the additional exemption in those places that have the exemption is January 1 through March 1.
  • Annual application is required.
Required Documentation
  • Homestead exemption application (DR-501) when applying for the exemption for the first time
  • Proof of age
  • Sworn statement of Income (DR- 501sc) for household
  • For each member of the household, a Federal tax return or an application for automatic extension.
  • Wage and tax statement (W-2)

For those not required to file a Federal tax return:

  • Copy of the prior year’s Social Security Statement
  • Statement of income on Statement of Income form
  • Proof of age (submit one of the following – certified copy of a birth certificate, Florida driver’s license or ID Card, permanent resident card, marriage certificate, certified school records, certified census records, life insurance policy in effect longer than 2 years)

Long-Term Resident Senior Citizen Exemption

The Long-term Senior Residency Exemption exempts the ad valorem taxes for qualified residents of counties and cities that have adopted the program.

Eligibility
  • Must be eligible for the Low Income Senior Exemption (see information on the Senior Low-Income Citizen Exemption above).
  • Reside on the property for at least 25 years.
  • Applicant’s property must have just value of less than $250,000 at the time of the initial application.
Application Deadline
  • Filing period for the long-term exemption in those places that have adopted the exemption is January 1 through March 1.
  • Annual application is required.
Required Documentation
  • Homestead exemption application (DR-501) when applying for the exemption for the first time
  • Proof of age
  • Sworn statement of Income (DR- 501sc) for household
  • For each member of the household, a Federal tax return or an application for automatic extension
  • Wage and tax statement (W-2)

For those not required to file a Federal tax return:

  • Copy of prior year’s Social Security Statement
  • Statement of income on Statement of Income form
  • Proof of age (submit one of the following – certified copy of a birth certificate, Florida driver’s license or ID Card, permanent resident card, marriage certificate, certified school records, certified census records, life insurance policy in effect longer than 2 years)

Property Tax Deferral Program

Property Tax Deferral program is available to homeowners who are eligible for the Homestead Exemption. The amount that can be deferred is based on the age and adjusted gross income of all members of the household.

Eligibility
  • The total amount of deferred taxes, assessments, interest, and unsatisfied liens must be less the 85% of the just value of the property.
  • The primary mortgage financing cannot be more than 70% of the just value.
  • Must furnish fire insurance coverage with the loss payable to the county tax collector.

 

Application Deadline

Application for deferral (DR-570) must be submitted to the Tax Collector by March 31, the year after the assessment.

Required Documentation
  • Owner entitled to the Homestead Exemption may qualify.
  • Application for Homestead Tax Deferral (DR-570).
  • Proof of prior year’s income, using Federal income tax returns for all members of the household.
  • Proof of fire and extended coverage insurance at least equal to the total of all outstanding liens, deferred taxes, assessments, and interest with loss payable to the county tax collector.
  • Each year the tax collector will notify owners of property with deferred payments to submit a list of all outstanding liens on the homestead and the current amount of each lien. If the owner does not send the information within 30 days, the total amount of taxes, assessments, and interest will be due within 30 days.