How Do I?

Find out how to qualify for an exemption, appeal property values, and much more!

How Do I Apply for Portability (the Transfer) of My Homestead Exemption?

Each applicant will have to fill out an application (form DR-501T) in the office of the property appraiser of the county in which their new home is located. Required information will include the following: the date which the previous homestead was sold or no longer used as a homestead, the address and parcel identification number of the previous homestead, a list of all other owners listed on the tax roll, an affirmative statement that none of the previous owners remained in the homestead and continued to receive a homestead exemption, and a sworn statement attesting to his or her entitlement to the assessment difference transfer. See the frequently asked questions on portability at http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/property/portfaqs.pdf.

How Do I Take Advantage of the Additional $25,000 Homestead Exemption?

If you already have a homestead exemption on your property, you don’t have to do anything, the property appraiser will automatically apply the exemption to your assessed value. See the frequently asked questions on the additional homestead exemption at http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/property/additional_faqs.pdf.

How Do I Receive the $25,000 Tangible Personal Property Exemption?

Owners of tangible personal property must file a return this year as always. The first $25,000 in assessed value is exempt from taxes and the property appraiser will apply the exemption to your assessed value. If the assessed value of the property is $25,000 or less, you do not have to file a return in future years until that value exceeds $25,000. There are penalties involved if the value exceeds $25,000 and you do not file. See the frequently asked questions on the $25,000 tangible personal property exemption at http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/property/tppfaqs.pdf.

How do I Take Advantage of the 10% Assessment Increase Limitation on Non-Homestead Property?

You don’t need to do anything to receive this assessment increase limitation. The property appraiser will assess your property every year as of January 1 and apply the 10% assessment increase limitation to eligible non-homestead property that did not change ownership or control in the previous calendar year. If a non-homestead property changes ownership or control and a deed is not recorded with county clerk of court, the new owner is required to file a Form DR-430 Change of Ownership or Control with the property appraiser in the county where the property is located within 60 days of the change of ownership or control. When a non-homestead property changes ownership or control, the current 10% assessment increase limitation is removed from the property, the property is assessed at just value, and a new 10% assessment increase limitation is put in place as of the January 1 in the year following the change of ownership or control.

How Do I Pay My Property Taxes?

The State of Florida does not assess or collect property taxes; they are assessed and collected by locally-elected officials. If you have questions about your tax bill or unpaid taxes, contact your tax collector.

How Do I Find an Exemption?

Property appraisers build the tax base by estimating the market value, or just value, of every property in the county as of January 1 each year. Just value is the amount a willing purchaser would pay a willing seller. Property appraisers also administer exemptions.

How Do I Calculate the "Save Our Homes" Cap and Other Limitation Rates?

See the Tax Valuation and Income Limitation rates for more information on the Save Our Homes cap, total and permanently disability income limitation, cost of living adjustments for other exemptions, and the income limitation to qualify for the senior homestead exemption.

How Do I Find Out How My Property Appraiser Achieves Equity in Mass Appraisal of Tangible Personal Property?

See the Standard Measures of Value: Tangible Personal Property Appraisal Guidelines for information on guidelines property appraisers use to help achieve equity in the mass appraisal of tangible personal property.

How Do I Know if I Qualify for an Exemption?

See the Eligibility Criteria to Qualify for Property Tax Exemption for information on qualifying and obtaining an exemption.

Amendment 10 (commonly known as Save Our Homes) limits the annual increase in assessed value of homestead exempt properties to 3% or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower, as long as the property owner maintains a homestead exemption. If you are a property owner, you may be eligible for an exemption. Check with your property appraiser to obtain a homestead or other exemption.

Taxing authorities are authorized by Florida Statutes to levy taxes on real and tangible personal property to fund their operations and services. Taxing authorities propose a budget and consider public input during budget hearings to create a budget (commonly referred to as the Truth in Millager or TRIM process). Their final budget is then divided by the tax base to establish a millage rate.

A roll-back rate is the rate at which the current tax base would produce the same taxes levied as the previous year. When a tax base increases, maintaining the same millage rate represents an increase in taxes. Millage rates are typically different for every taxing authority, depending on the budget of each taxing authority.

How Do I Find Out What My Property Tax Rights Are as a Taxpayer?

See the Property Tax Bill of Rights for information on your property tax rights and the obligations of property appraisers, tax collectors, local governing boards and the Department of Revenue in property tax matters.

How Do I Find Specific Information on Values, Millage Rates, Exemptions, and Taxes Levied by Taxing Authorities?

See the Florida Property Valuations and Tax Data book for specific information on values, millage rates, exemptions, taxes levied by taxing authority and much more.

What If I Have More Questions?

If you have questions about values, exemptions or appeals, contact your property appraiser.
If you have questions about the amount of your property tax, contact your taxing authority.
If you have questions about your tax bill or unpaid taxes, contact your tax collector.