What you Need to know for Homestead Exemption Collier County Florida – Save Up to money on property taxes!

What is a Homestead Exemption?

Every person who has the legal or equitable title to real estate and maintains it as a permanent residence, or as teh residence of a legal or natural dependant of the owner, will be entitled to a $25,000 exemption each year on the school taxing authority and a $50,000 exemption on all other taxing authorities.  Regular filing begins on January 1 and ends on March 1 each year.  However, Collier County offices accept prefiled applications throughout the year so that you might avoid long lines at the regular filing time for Homestead Exemption.  In addition the year following the first you you receive Homestead Exemption in your name, the property will receive a cap on assessment increases. 

The cap on homesteaded properties limits the amount of increase in assessed value to the lesser of 3% or the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Therefore, if your property is capped, even if the demand for your property causes the market value to increase 10%, your prior year’s assessed value will only increase the lesser of 3% or the CPI. 

How Do I Qualify?

If you live in your home as a legal resident of Florida, you can qualify for a homestead exemption Collier County Florida. You must have legal or proof of equitable title to the property and reside there as a legal resident of Florida, on or before January 1st. There is no time limit for Florida residency; not one year nor 6 months and 1 day.

How to Apply

In order to apply for a Homestead Exemption Collier County Florida, you will need to bring the following information.

• A recorded deed or tax bill in your name
• Florida driver’s license
• Florida auto tag registration
• Collier County voter registration card, if you are registered to vote
• Social Security numbers for applicant and spouse
• Declaration of Domicile filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, if you have recorded one
• Documentation from your assessor / appraiser that any residency based exemptions on your out of state property have been removed
• If the property is held in a trust, a copy of the trust is required for review and qualification
• An applicant who is not a U.S. Citizen must present a resident alien card (green card) when they apply

All documentation must be dated prior to January 1st of the tax year for which you are applying for exemption.

If the property is jointly owned, ALL owners who reside on property should make application.

Where Can I Apply for Homestead Exemption?

New applications for homestead, Senior exemptions, widow’s, widower’s or disability exemptions for the current year must be made in person prior to March 1. These applications may be made at the Property Appraiser’s office. The schedule indicating the times and places for filing for exemptions is published each year on www.collierappraiser.com or you may call the Property Appraiser’s office and be advised of the schedule.  Property owners who are not eligible for the current year, but will be eligible for the following year, may prefile for the exemption any time after March 1.

Senior Exemptions

In order to qualify for an additional homestead exemption of up to $50,000 for persons age 65 years and older, the “household income” (cumulative “adjusted gross income”) of all persons living in the home cannot exceed the yearly amount as determined by the Florida Department of Revenue.  This exemption applies only to the property taxes levied by the taxing authority granting the exemption an you must re-apply each year.

$500 Widow’s or Widower’s Exemption

To file for the additional Widow’s or Widower’s exemption you must be a widow or widower prior to January 1 of the tax year and bring proof of your spouse’s death. Divorced persons do not quality for widow’s or widower’s exemption.

$500 Civilian or $5,000 Ex-Service Member Disability Exemption

To apply for the additional disability exemption, you must present one of the following documents:

• Proof of total or permanent disability from a licensed Florida physician or the Veterans Administration
• V.A proof of 10% or more service-connected disability
• Proof of legal blindness