March 1st is the deadline to file for FL Homestead Exemption (Sarasota: taxi, property tax)

[Sunshine Rules]

If you’ve purchased a home in FL in 2011 and have made that home your permanent residence, you may qualify for a Homestead Exemption, which can save you $$$ each year on your property tax bill.

The Homestead Exemption exempts the first $25,000 of value from ad valorem taxes and another $25,000 on assessed values between $50,000 and $75,000 for a total of $50,000. The 2nd $25,000 in exemption does not apply to all taxing authorities. The exemptions could potentially save a homeowner approximately $500 on their annual tax bill, depending upon the millage rates.

You are entitled to a FL Homestead Exemption if, as of January 1st of the year for which you are applying:
you are a permanent resident of Florida,
you hold legal title to your property,
the instrument by which you hold title is recorded in the official records of the County in which you are applying,
and you make the property your permanent residence.

In order to meet the application deadline, you must apply by March 1st of the year for which you are claiming an exemption.

To find out the requirements and documentation needed to file for a Homestead Exemption in Sarasota county, go to the property appraiser's site at:

http://sc-pa.com/content/homestead.asp


For Manatee county, the property appraiser's site is at:

Manatee County


Once you have completed your initial homestead exemption application forms and have qualified, you will receive a postcard from the county property appraiser's office in future years (each January) asking if you have changed your residence or the property is no longer applicable for a homestead exemption -- you will not be required to fill out application forms each year.

Please remember, if you purchased a home in 2011 that had a home exemption for the previous owner, you MUST file in 2012 for your own Homestead Exemption. The previous owner's exemption does not "convey" to you.

[nphomeowner]

AND so people know, you can file for your Homestead Exemption on line. I did ours quite a while back, answered all the questions and hit submit. Printed it out so I'd have a copy. A few months later I got the little post card. Didn't even have to leave the house.