Homestead Tax Exemption

Great news! You no longer have to go in person and apply for Homestead Exemption. You now can do it online at MiamiDade.gov/pa. Homeowners can now complete the entire application process for Florida’s Homestead Exemption online and submit the application directly to the Property Appraiser’s office.

There used to only be two options for Homestead Exemption: to apply in person or mail the application in to the Property Appraiser’s office.

When the launch of this online application process was announced, Property Appraiser Lopez-Cantera stated, “This is only the first of many customer friendly initiatives aimed at improving the service we provide to the residents of Miami-Dade county.  We look forward to announcing additional customer friendly improvements in the weeks and months ahead.”

So if you bought or sold in 2013, go online to complete your Florida Homestead Exemption applications. This will reduce your home value by $50,000 for assessment of your property taxes and it also locks it in so that it doesn’t increase more than 3% annually.

Here are the Homestead Exemption requirements:

• Legal or equitable title as of January 1 (If filing for a Trust, a complete set of the trust documents must be provided)

• Reside on the property as of January 1

• US Citizen or Permanent Resident of the owner(or others legally or naturally dependent upon such person) as of January 1

• Florida Resident as of January 1

o A valid Florida driver'slicense or ID card

o Florida vehicle registration

o Florida voter's registration

o Prior year’s IRS return or current W‐2 form

o Bank statements and checking account registered at the property

o Proof of payments for utilities at the property

So if you bought or sold this year, you can transfer your Homestead Exemption to your new home. Just go online and apply.

For more Miami property tax information, visit us at JillPenman.com or call 305-807-9199!