Florida's Homestead Exemption and Other Tax Discounts

Calculating property tax in Florida can be a little more complicated by the variety of discounts one may be eligible to take.  The big one is the homestead exemption which is basically a discount available if your Florida home is your primary residence.  We thought we'd summarize the rest of the discounts for you today.

The most important information to take from this article is that the taxes shown in the public records for a particular home may be quite different for you when the taxes are recalculated.  Every person has different eligibility and this means two people will be taxed entirely differently on the same property.  Before you buy your Marco Island property, ask us for a tax estimate and will have one calculated for you.

EXEMPTIONS:

Homestead - Up to $50,000.   If your Florida home is your permanent residence,  you are eligible to receive a homestead exemption up to $50,000. The first $25,000 applies to all types of property taxes, including school taxes. The additional $25,000, applies to the assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000 and only to non-school taxes.

Widows and Widowers - $500.   Any widow or widower who is a Florida resident may claim a $500 exemption. If you remarry, you are no longer eligible for the exemption. If you were divorced before the death of your ex-spouse, you do not qualify as a widow or widower.

Disability - $500.   Totally and permanently disabled residents qualify for a $500 exemption.

Blind Persons - $500.   A Florida resident who is blind qualifies for a $500 exemption.

Total and Permanent Disability -   Real estate used and owned as a homestead by a quadriplegic, is exempt from all ad valorem taxation.

65 and Older - Up to an additional $50,000.   Some city or county governments have enacted a local ordinance allowing an added homestead exemption up to $50,000. Naples has this; Marco doesn't.

Disability for an Ex-Service Member - Up to $5,000.   An ex-service member disabled at least 10% in war or by service-connected events may be entitled to a $5,000 exemption on any property he or she owns.

Service-Connected, Total and Permanent Disability or Confined to a Wheelchair -   An honorably discharged veteran who is totally and permanently disabled or requires a wheelchair for mobility resulting from their military service may qualify for total exemption of their homestead. Under some circumstances, the benefit of this exemption can carry over to the surviving spouse.

Discount for Veterans 65 and Older with a Combat-Related Disability -  A veteran who is disabled, 65 or older, and owns homestead property may qualify for a property tax discount based on percent of disability.

Filing and Keeping Your Homestead Exemption -  When a person serving in the Armed Forces owns a property and uses it as a homestead, the service member may rent the homestead without abandoning the claim to the homestead exemption.