The Homestead Exemption
 

If I buy a home in Florida at the age of 62, would I be able to claim the Homestead Exemption when I turn 65?

:ohdear: Age has nothing to do with it. Go to the Property Appraisers Web Site for the county you're looking at and get all the info. you need. :ho:

Yepper

No homestead exemption for snow birds

You may be referring to the additional homestead exemption for low income people who are over 65. The regular homestead exemption is available to anyone at any age or income as long as they own the house on January 1, live in the house, and they are a Florida resident. But, there is an additional exemption, if they also are over 65 and have an income of less than about $30,000. This additional exemption must be applied for every year to verify the income requirement.

Technically, not true.

Legally, you can only have the homestead exemption in FL if that is your only home anywhere that you claim a homestead exmp for, and if it's your primary residence, FYI. Age has nothing to do with it.

You can get homestead exception at any age. The Florida home however must be your main place of residence. As soon as you close apply

There is no age requirement for homestead. To qualify for homestead, you must make it your primary home. Regardless of how many homes you may own, you're only allowed one home exempt. You must live in that primary home for 6 months or more. As I recall, don't hold me to it, but I think you might need to change your address on your license with the primary address. When I applied for my homestead, I had to bring two pieces of utility bills in my name addressed to the primary address, my home deed for proof. And if you're on disability S.S., you can bring your Social security reward letter and they give you another little discount. I'm speaking from Hernando county. Your best bet would be to call the property appraiser's office in the area you're looking to buy and ask what you need to bring to qualify for homestead.

I had always heard that you need to be a resident on January 1st but I got a letter in the mail telling me I was approved for a homestead exemption but I have only been here since June 30th. I hadn't even applied. What is the deal with that?

The OP is asking about a homestead exemption available when he/she turns 65. In addition to the regular homestead exemption available to all ages, there are additional homestead exemptions available for people over 65, but there is an income and/or house value requirement. I have attached a pdf file that explains these exemptions.

I've been in FL 30+ years, bought 3 homes; also was a paralegal, some doing real estate closings. I've never heard of the Property Appraiser's office sending out letters advising people they were approved for an exemption - beware. If you bought your home on June 30, 2019, and the Seller already had a homestead exemption on the property, that exemption would have shown and been factored in on your 2019 property tax bill. As the new owner, you still need to apply for the exemption by March 1, 2020 whether it's a new or pre-owned home.

If you owned the house on January 1, 2020, you can apply for the exemption for 2020. I would make sure that the county has actually approved the exemption. I think you can check that on the county real estate website.

Age has nothing to do with Homestead exemptions

Not true. There is an additional homestead exemption for people over 65 who meet certain income requirements. See Post No. 11.