Deadline for homestead exemption is March 1

For eligible Florida homeowners, the deadline to submit an application for a homestead exemption is March 1.

Orange County residents who own or live in a home being used as their permanent residence as of Jan. 1 may apply for a homestead exemption, which could reduce their property’s taxable value by up to $50,000. However, the exemptions do not apply to school-district taxes.

According to the Orange County Property Appraiser’s Office, homestead exemptions can save homeowners up to $750 in property tax per year.

In November 2018, a proposed amendment to the state’s constitution — Florida Amendment 1: Homestead Exemption Increase — failed to garner the 60% supermajority vote needed for approval, which kept the maximum homestead exemption at the current $50,000.

Had it passed, the amendment would have increased the home- stead exemption on homes with assessed values between $100,000 and $125,000, bringing the maxi- mum homestead exemption up to $75,000.

The measure had several opponents, including the Florida League of Cities, which argued the amendment would have only benefited a few homeowners and shifted the tax burden to millions of others.

Residents are eligible to apply for the existing $50,000 homestead exemption if:

• They have legal or beneficial title to the property;
• reside on the property;
• are a permanent Florida resident; and
• are either a U.S. citizen or possess a Permanent Residence Card (green card).

Residents also may qualify for a homestead exemption on a mobile home if they own both the land and the mobile home, according to the OCPA office.

Qualified homeowners can apply online at exemption.ocpafl.org, by mail, or in person at the OCPA office. Homeowners who do not submit their applications by March 1 will fail to receive an exemption for that year.

Anyone unsure if they need to reapply for an exemption may contact an OCPA customer service representative at (407) 836-5044.