Homestead Exemption Tips

In Florida the first and third $25,000 of your homes value is exempted from tax if you qualify and apply. You MUST proactively apply for it. Don’t try to apply if you do not qualify, the fines are steep and a tax lien may be placed on the property. In Jacksonville, this exemption could save you about $1000 in taxes each year for a home worth over $75,000 or about $83 a month. As if that wasn’t enough of a reason, the exemption also triggers the “Save our Homes Benefit” which limits future annual Assessed Value increases to 3% per year. If you are at all unfamiliar with this terminology, don’t worry you’re not alone, it is explained in more detail in a previous blog along with other helpful tips here: http://www.jacksonvillehomes365.com/4-tips-to-save-on-property-taxes/

You must be a permanent resident of Florida and living in the home as your primary residence as of Jan 1st.

 

What information do I need?

Documents:

Florida Driver’s License or Florida ID Card -must reflect correct permanent address

Vehicle Registration(s)- must reflect correct permanent address

Recorded Deed or Copy of Tax bill for property

 

Permanent Resident Alien Card, if applicable 

Complete copy of Trust, if home is owned by a Trust- to establish beneficial title.

Mobile Home Registration, if applicable

Application form (if filing via mail or in-person)

 

Info to be provided during application:

Date of Birth, Social Security Number, Date of Permanent FL residence, Date of occupancy, Date of property purchase, Mailing address listed on last IRS tax return, Address of previous residence, Address of other property owned, Telephone number, Place of employment and employer’s telephone number.

*The information needed is nearly identical for Duval, Clay, St. Johns and Nassau.

 

 

How Do I Apply?

 

Application can be made online Here:

Duval: http://www.coj.net/departments/property-appraiser/exemptions.aspx

Clay: Application form can be downloaded here: http://www.ccpao.com/formsdownload/dr501.pdf

St. Johns: https://hx.sjcpa.us/ApplyOnline/WebForm1.aspx

Nassau:  http://www.nassauflpa.com/File-for-Homestead

 

Through the mail here:

Duval: Customer Service/Exemptions Division at 231 E. Forsyth Street, Suite 260, Jacksonville, Florida 32202

Clay: Clay County Property Appraiser’s Office Post Office Box 38 Green Cove Springs, Florida 32043-0038

St Johns: St. Johns County Property Appraiser 4030 Lewis Speedway B, St. Augustine, FL 32084

Nassau: Nassau County Property Appraiser 96135 Nassau Place Suite #4 Yulee, FL 32097

 

Or in-person here:

Duval: 231 E Forsyth St # 260, Jacksonville, FL 32202

Clay: 1518 Park Ave Orange Park, FL  32073-4910

St. Johns: 4030 Lewis Speedway, Suite 203 Saint Augustine, FL 32084

Nassau: 96135 Nassau Pl #4, Yulee, FL 32097 or  416 Centre Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 or 45401 Mickler Street, Callahan, FL 32011

 

 

Is one better than the other?

 

Yes and no. If you purchased your home recently, the data needed my not be available online. St. Johns County specifically states that if you purchased the home within the last 60 days you must file in-person. Filing online is certainly convenient but doing so in-person is generally recommended because any issues that may arise can be dealt with immediately, rather than possibly delaying past the March 1st deadline and missing out on the exemption until the following year. The Duval County online application process is fairly simple. Clay County doesn’t yet seem to have an option for applying online but you can download and fill out the form on your computer and hand it in or mail it

 

If you previously applied and were approved for the exemption, it automatically renews. You’ll just want to confirm that is the case for you. Generally, a tax form is mailed toward the end of the year letting you know what to expect and it would tell you if you have the exemption. For additional explanations and a bit more info visit our previous blog: http://www.jacksonvillehomes365.com/4-tips-to-save-on-property-taxes/