If Florida is your permanent residence, you may be eligible to save on your property taxes by applying for the Homestead Exemption. This exemption can reduce the taxable value of your home by up to $50,000 and offers additional benefits, including caps on yearly assessment increases and protections from creditors.
To qualify for the Homestead Exemption, you must own the property and make it your primary residence as of January 1st of the year you apply. You can file an application before January 1st, but it must be done in person at one of the County Property Appraiser’s offices.
To apply for the Homestead Exemption in Collier County, you must provide the following:
• Proof of property ownership (deed, tax receipt)
• Social Security numbers of all applicants
• Collier County voter registration, Florida driver license, and vehicle registration
• Additional documents if the property is held in a trust or mobile home.
Applications for the current year must be filed in person before March 1st. Visit any of the following offices to file your application:
• Main Office: 239-252-8141
• Orange Blossom Office: 239-252-4444
• Golden Gate City Office: 239-252-8193
• Heritage Bay Gov. Center: 239-252-1622”
If you cannot find an answer to your question, please contact the Collier County Property Appraiser's office at webinfo@collierappraiser.com.
Yes, you can apply for the Homestead Exemption if your home is held in a trust, but you will need to provide a complete copy of the trust agreement when submitting your application. The applicant must have beneficial interest in the property to qualify.
Florida law allows only one Homestead Exemption per family unit. If you or your spouse have a residency-based exemption in another state, you will need to cancel that exemption before applying in Florida. You will also need to provide documentation from the other state’s government office stating that the exemption has been removed.
To apply for the Homestead Exemption in Collier County, you will need the following documents:
• Proof of property ownership (such as a deed or tax receipt)
• Social Security numbers for all applicants and spouses
• Collier County Voter Registration (if you vote)
• Florida Driver License and Florida Vehicle Registration
• Optional: Declaration of Domicile filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court
• If you are not a U.S. citizen, you will need your resident alien “green card”
• Additional documents may be required if your property is held in trust or if your residence is a mobile home
If you move to a new home in Florida, you will need to file a new Homestead Exemption application for the new residence. Additionally, you may be able to transfer your Save Our Homes (SOH) tax savings from your previous homestead to your new one, a process known as “portability.” You must file for portability within two years of selling your previous home.
Yes, you can pre-file for the Homestead Exemption if you will be eligible in the following year. Pre-filed applications can be submitted anytime after March 1st for the next tax year. This ensures you’re prepared to receive the exemption as soon as you become eligible.
The deadline to apply for the current year’s Homestead Exemption is March 1st. Applications must be filed in person at one of the Collier County Property Appraiser’s offices before this date. If you miss the deadline, you may apply for the following year.
The Save Our Homes (SOH) benefit is a cap on the annual increase of your property’s assessed value. Once you have the Homestead Exemption, the assessed value of your home can only increase by 3% per year or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. This protects homeowners from steep increases in property taxes, even if the market value of their home rises significantly.
Please note that the information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. We are not offering assistance or services in applying for the Homestead Exemption. The details presented here serve solely as an overview of the Homestead Exemption process in Florida and may contain errors or omissions.
For accurate, up-to-date, and specific guidance regarding your individual situation, we strongly recommend that you consult a qualified financial or legal advisor. You should also contact the Collier County Property Appraiser’s office directly for the most reliable and detailed information concerning your Homestead Exemption eligibility and application process.
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