Homestead Exemption - How and When to Apply?
 

Here is the story: Bought home in TV December 2020. Renting to a senior citizen since then who has recently bought her own TV home.

We are 67 and 62, moving to TV full time in May. Must we wait a full 6 months and one day to apply for the Homestead Exemption on our taxes? Do we just contact the county tax collector or how do you get the adjustment made?

Thank you, neighbors.

Sumter County Homestead Tax Exemption webpage There is a phone number at the bottom if you need more information.

Thanks so much! I guess my confusion was that I thought a tax exemption was different from a homestead (tax) exemption.

You may want to apply for Florida Domicile also to establish Florida residency.

State of Florida.com | Florida Residency

Another, and perhaps greater, benefit of the Homestead Exemption is the Save Our Homes Act. The SOH kicks in the second year after qualifying for the Homestead Exemption, and caps your annual increase in real estate valuation at 3%. We have several neighbors, who do not have the Homestead, who saw their property valuation spike over 20% this year, while ours was thankfully capped at 3%.

A visit to the county office will answer your questions. If you qualify, get your Homestead Exemption form filed at the earliest possible date.