Florida Homestead Exemption: Amounts, March 1 Deadline and Save Our Homes

Last updated November 14, 2026. Citations come from the Florida statutes and official agency pages linked in Sources. Where we could not confirm something on an official page, we say so.

A Florida owner who has legal or beneficial title on January 1 and makes the property a permanent residence is entitled to the homestead exemption, and must apply with the county property appraiser by March 1. A change of ownership ends the Save Our Homes cap.

Exemption and deadline

• A person who on January 1 has legal or beneficial equitable title to real property and makes it a permanent residence is entitled to an exemption from all taxation, except special benefit assessments, up to an assessed valuation of $25,000 on the residence and contiguous real property. (Fla. Stat. Sec. 196.031(1)(a))
• An additional exemption of up to $25,000 applies to the assessed valuation greater than $50,000 for all levies other than school district levies; the $25,000 amount is adjusted annually on January 1 for inflation (CPI-U) if the change is positive. (Fla. Stat. Sec. 196.031(1)(b))
• An owner must file an application with the county property appraiser on or before March 1 of each year; failure to apply by March 1 is a waiver of the exemption privilege for that year except as provided in subsections (8) or (9). (Fla. Stat. Sec. 196.011)
• A late petition must be filed during the taxable year on or before the 25th day following the mailing of the property appraiser's notice under s. 194.011(1). (Fla. Stat. Sec. 196.011)

Limits and sales

• Homestead is exempt from forced sale (with exceptions for taxes, purchase/improvement obligations and labor on the realty) up to 160 contiguous acres outside a municipality or one-half acre within a municipality; the homestead is limited to the owner's residence. (Fla. Const. Art. X Sec. 4(a))
• Art. VII Sec. 6 sets the constitutional homestead exemption at assessed valuation of $25,000; assessed value growth is capped by Sec. 4(d) at the lesser of 3 percent or CPI change. (Fla. Const. Art. VII Sec. 4(d), Sec. 6)
• Upon a change of ownership, the property is reassessed at just value as of January 1 of the following year, ending the Save Our Homes cap accumulated by the seller. (Fla. Stat. Sec. 193.155(3))

What we could not confirm

• Additional exemptions (senior, veteran, disability) and income limits not opened.
• Dollar threshold figures after inflation indexing for 2026 not confirmed from a property appraiser or DOR page.
• The constitutional amendments approved in the 2024 or 2026 general elections affecting homestead exemptions were not verified.

How to sell a house in Florida when this applies to you

1. Find out what the title company needs. For an inherited or transferred house, that usually means the recorded document that shows who owns it today.
2. Get a payoff for any mortgage and the amount of any unpaid property tax. Both are paid from the sale proceeds at closing.
3. Compare offers on what you net after repairs, commissions and closing costs, not on the headline price.
4. If you want a fast, simple closing, ask for a written cash offer. We buy houses as-is, with no repairs and no agent commission. See how we buy houses in Florida.

Florida Homestead Exemption FAQ

When is the homestead application due?

On or before March 1 each year, and failure to apply is a waiver (Sec. 196.011).

What happens when I sell?

The property is reassessed at just value as of January 1 of the following year, ending the Save Our Homes cap accumulated by the seller.

Can I sell my Florida house as-is?

Yes. A cash buyer purchases as-is, and the title company pays any mortgage and unpaid property tax from the proceeds at closing.

Sources

• Fla. Const. Art. VII Sec. 5(a)
• Fla. Stat. Sec. 193.155(8)
• Fla. Stat. Sec. 196.031(1)(a)
• Fla. Stat. Sec. 196.011

This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Laws, forms and fees change, so confirm details with the official office or a Florida Florida attorney or tax professional.