# What to know about Homestead Exemption

By Jeff Naylor (@jeffnaylor) · Published 2026-09-03

Canonical: https://voce.com/@jeffnaylor/know-homestead-exemption-3xuyu1

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If you own and live in your Tallahassee home, the Florida homestead exemption can save a significant amount off your property-tax bill — and you file it once, with the Leon County Property Appraiser, before the **March 1** deadline. Here's the no-fluff version: what it is, what it saves, and exactly how to claim it before the cut-off.

#### Key Takeaways

-   The homestead exemption removes up to $50,000 from your home's assessed value, and can save you a significant amount each year.
-   You must own and occupy the home as your permanent residence as of January 1
-   File once with the Leon County Property Appraiser by March 1 — it renews automatically each year
-   It also unlocks the Save Our Homes cap, limiting annual assessment increases to 3% or inflation

## What is the homestead exemption?

The homestead exemption removes money from your home's taxable (assessed) value, so property taxes apply only to the rest. In Florida it takes up to **$50,000** off that value: the first **$25,000** applies to all taxing authorities including schools, and a second **$25,000** applies to the assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000 for non-school levies.

## Who qualifies?

You must **own and occupy** the home as your **permanent residence as of January 1** of the tax year you apply. It has to be your primary home — a second home or rental doesn't count. You only file **once**: the exemption renews automatically every year as long as you still live there, so you just notify the appraiser if your situation changes.

The exemption also unlocks the **Save Our Homes** cap, which limits how much your home's assessed value can rise each year to 3% or inflation, whichever is lower — often the bigger long-term win in a hot market.

## How to file before March 1

Apply with the **Leon County Property Appraiser** at **leonpa.gov** — most counties offer online filing or mail. The deadline is **March 1** for the current tax year, so don't wait.

Plan to show proof the home was your residence on January 1: a **Florida driver license or ID** with the property address, **vehicle registration**, **voter registration** or a declaration of domicile, and your Social Security number. Requirements can vary slightly, so confirm on the appraiser's page.

## Your move

The homestead exemption is one of the easiest tax breaks a homeowner can claim — a single filing that renews on its own and saves you year after year.

I'm **Jeff Naylor** with RE/MAX Professionals Realty here in Tallahassee. It would be my pleasure to answer any questions you have about Homestead Exemption or any other real estate questions.