How to apply for your homestead exemption
A homestead exemption cuts the taxable value of your primary home, and you normally apply through your county. Florida's takes off about $50,000, with a March 1 deadline. California's takes off $7,000, with a February 15 deadline for the full exemption. Most programs test where you lived on January 1.
What a homestead exemption does
Most states offer some version of this tax break for the home you live in. It reduces the value your tax is figured on, and it isn't a check or a refund. The rules, the names and the savings differ widely. Some programs do more than trim the bill. In Florida, an approved homestead also starts the Save Our Homes cap, which limits later increases in assessed value to 3% or the change in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less.
The exemption applies to a primary residence only, so a vacation home or rental won't qualify. In Florida you generally can't also hold a similar exemption on a home in another state.
When to apply for a homestead exemption
Look this up during your first week in the home, because of the January 1 test. Florida, California and Texas appraisal offices all tie eligibility to that date in some way. In Florida, if you didn't own and live in the home on January 1, you can't get the exemption for that year, and there's no partial credit. So a home bought in the spring usually means applying for the following year.
Homestead exemption deadline and savings by state
| State | Value taken off | Deadline | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | About $50,000; one guide gives about $51,411 for 2026 after inflation | March 1 | Own and live there on January 1 |
| California | $7,000 | February 15 for the full exemption | Filing is one-time; home must be your principal residence on January 1 |
| Texas | Set by state law; ask your appraisal district | Confirm with your appraisal district | Travis CAD asks you to own and live in the home as of January 1, with ID showing that address |
To estimate your saving, multiply the amount by your local tax rate. Made-up example: $7,000 at a 1% rate saves $70 a year, and $50,000 at 1.5% saves $750. Your real figure may differ, since some exemptions treat school taxes differently.
How to apply for a homestead exemption
- Find your county office
Search for your county's property appraiser, assessor or appraisal district, and use the official government site.
- Note the deadline and the test date
Write down both the filing deadline and the residency date, usually January 1.
- Update your ID
Change your driver's license address, and voter or vehicle records if your county asks for them.
- Gather your documents
Have your deed or closing papers, ID and parcel number ready. Requirements differ by county.
- File the application
Apply online or by form. In California, the form is BOE-266, from your county assessor. In Florida, it's DR-501.
- Keep proof
Save a confirmation number or copy of what you sent.
- Check the result
Look for the exemption on your next notice or bill. Florida's Notice of Proposed Taxes is mailed in August.
Florida homestead exemption changes and other state rules
Other states use different amounts, dates and names, and some counties add their own programs. Seniors, veterans and people with disabilities often qualify for more. In Texas, owners 65 or older or with a qualifying disability get a school tax ceiling, for instance.
Florida rules may be changing. Amendment 3 on the November 2026 ballot would raise the exemption to $150,000 for 2027 and $250,000 for 2028 on non-school levies, if at least 60% of voters approve. Check your county property appraiser for the result before you plan around any number here.
Renewal also differs. California's claim is a one-time filing, but you must tell the assessor when you stop qualifying, and December 10 is the last day to end it without penalty.
Homestead tax exemption mistakes to avoid
- Paid filing services. If a mailer offers to file for a fee, go to your county's own site first.
- A change in Florida assessed value. Value resets to market value after a sale, so the seller's bill won't predict yours.
- A driver's license that still shows your old address. Update it first, since offices like Travis CAD want an ID matching the property.
- Renting out the home or moving out. You may need to notify the assessor.
- Claiming two homesteads. Spouses in Florida generally get one exemption per couple.
Rules on residency and married couples can be complex. For your own case, ask the county office or a tax professional.
What homeowners say about the homestead exemption
Owners say agents often don't mention it. Several only found out in year two, after paying about $600 more in tax. Even if the exemption shows on this year's bill, it belongs to the seller. In most places each new owner has to file their own. (Reddit)
Don't assume it stays on forever. Owners have lost exemptions to county mistakes, including one wrongly recorded as dead and one whose renewal questionnaires went to the wrong address. Check your tax bill every year. (Personal Finance Stack Exchange)
Homestead tax exemption questions
When can I apply for a homestead exemption after buying a house?
It depends on your state. Many programs look at who owned and lived in the home on January 1, so a mid-year buyer may have to apply for the following year. Check with your county.
Do I have to reapply for homestead every year?
Not always. California's homeowners' exemption is a one-time filing, but other places may differ or send renewal forms. Ask your county what it expects.
How much does a homestead exemption save?
Multiply the exemption by your local tax rate. In California, the reduction is $7,000 of taxable value, and in Florida about $50,000. Your bill will show the actual effect.
Sources: boe.ca.gov, gunster.com, ircpa.org, landmarksignaturerealty.com, traviscad.org
General guidance for U.S. homes, not professional advice. For gas, electrical and structural work, call a licensed pro.