Homestead Exemption Documents Checklist

Use the free tool — Homestead Exemption FL

What this checklist is for

If you're applying for Florida's homestead exemption, you'll need certain forms and, in some cases, extra documents. This page tells you what the material says about forms and deadlines — and what to confirm directly with your county property appraiser, since the exact document list can vary by county.

The main form

Florida's homestead exemption application is form DR-501. You file it with your county property appraiser, either online or in person.

If you're porting savings from a prior home

If you moved within Florida and had homestead on a prior property, you may be able to carry over your Save Our Homes cap. For that, you also need form DR-501T, in addition to DR-501.

The deadline

The deadline to apply is March 1. Apply even if you're not sure you qualify — it's free. Confirm the exact date with your county property appraiser, since deadlines and local rules can change yearly.

Extra exemptions to ask about

Many people miss these. Ask your county property appraiser whether you qualify, and what documents each one needs:

Senior exemption (may involve income limits if you're 65 or older)
Widow or widower exemption
Disability exemption
Veteran exemption
First responder exemption

These are based on Florida Statutes chapters 193 and 196 and Florida Constitution Art. VII, sections 4 and 6.

Special situations

Trusts, homes owned by an LLC, and non-citizen owners have special rules. This material does not give the specific document list for these cases — confirm with your county property appraiser.

What we don't know

This material does not list every proof-of-residency or ownership document your specific county might request. Requirements can differ by county. This is not legal or tax advice, and it does not replace confirming with your county property appraiser, who makes the final decision.

What to do next

The free tool reads your own answers — your move-in date, county, values, age, and veteran, disability, or widow/widower status — and tells you whether you likely qualify, roughly what you'd save, whether portability applies to you, and which extra exemptions to ask about. It does not file anything for you. If you got a TRIM notice and want to appeal your assessed value instead, that's handled by Property Tax Appeal FL.

Use the free tool

Homestead Exemption FL is an informational tool based on Florida Constitution Art. VII §§4 and 6 and Florida Statutes chapters 193 and 196 as of 2025–26. It is not legal or tax advice and does not file applications; exemption amounts, senior-income limits and county options change yearly. The county property appraiser is the authority. TRIM appeals are handled by Property Tax Appeal FL. It is not affiliated with any county or agency.