South Florida REALTOR® Leadership Issue - Miami Realtors

Government Affairs
$50,000 Homestead Exemption
File Your Homestead Exemption - January 1 – March 2, 2009
State law provides a $50,000 Homestead Exemption (HEX) to Florida residents for their primary residence. The first $25,000 applies
to all taxing authorities. The second $25,000 excludes School Board taxes and applies to properties with assessed values greater
than $50,000.
Here is a sample of how the second $25,000 exemption applies depending upon the
property’s assessed value:
If your assessed value is: Your second homestead exemption will be:
$75,001 or more The original $25,000 Homestead Exemption, plus the full $25,000 additional Homestead
Exemption.
$50,001 - $75,000 The original $25,000 Homestead Exemption, plus the additional Homestead Exemption
between $1 and $25,000 depending upon the exact value of the property. For example, if
your assessed value is $62,000, then the second Homestead Exemption is $12,000.
$1 - $50,000 The original $25,000 Homestead Exemption and no additional Homestead Exemption.
To qualify, the applicant must minimally meet the following criteria as of January 1st:
1. U.S. Citizen or legal resident.
2. Own the property (i.e., have legal or equitable title)
3. Use the property as their permanent residence (to the exclusion of all others).
If property is held jointly by husband and wife, either party may apply in person for the HEX. Applicants must provide two
documents to prove they were Florida residents prior to January 1st. Below is a complete list of documents accepted as
proof of Florida residency.
Homestead Exemption Requirements
When applying, please bring the following documents in your name, otherwise your application cannot be processed.
Any two of the following Proofs of
Florida Residence:
1. Driver's License
2. Automobile Registration (not leased)
3. Voter Registration
4. 1040 Income Tax Return filed in Florida or W-2 Form
addressed in Florida
5. Intangible Tax Return filed from Florida
Any one of the following Proofs of Ownership:
1. Warranty Deed
2. Property Tax bill
Social Security Number: Florida law (reference Section 196.011, Florida Statutes) requires Property Appraisers statewide to
obtain and maintain social security numbers for all property owners who receive a HEX. Your social security number will be kept
confidential by the Property Appraiser's office.
- Courtesy of Miami Dade Property Appraiser’s Office – Visit www.miamidade.gov/pa
10% Assessment Cap for Non-Homestead Properties
Effective January 1, 2009
Effective January 1, 2009, all non-homestead properties will have an assessment cap of 10% each year. The property will be
assessed at just value following an improvement, as defined by general law, and may be assessed at just value following a change
of ownership or control if provided by general law. This limitation does not apply to school district taxes. This limitation is repealed
effective January 1, 2019, unless renewed by a vote of the electors in the general election held in 2018.
22 The REALTOR ® Leadership Issue 2009
6. Florida Unemployment Compensation Registration
7. Employment letter with Employer's letterhead
8. Child School report card or School letter attesting child's
registration
9. Moving van receipt from another county or state
10. Doctor's letter with Doctor's letterhead
11. Church letter with Church letterhead
12. SSA-1099 fiscal year Social Security Statement addressed
in Florida
3. Notice of Proposed Property Taxes
4. Homestead Exemption Automatic Renewal Receipt
5. Computer Public Value Inquiry printout