WHAT IS HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION? Homestead Exemption is a partial exemption from property taxes allowed by the Florida Legislature. If you qualify, you will save approximately $500.00 per year on your property taxes.

IF YOU ARE A NEW HOMEOWNER SEEKING HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FOR THE FIRST TIME.......

To Qualify: You must be a bona-fide resident of Florida, have legal title to your home and make that your primary residence as of January 1^st.

To Get The Exemption: If you are a new homeowner, you must apply in person to the Property Appraiser’s Office. You will need your Florida driver’s license, a copy of the recorded deed to your home and the social security numbers of all owners listed on the deed. You will be assisted in filling out the required forms necessary to obtain this exemption.

When To Apply: Between January 1^st and March 1^st for the current year or anytime after March 1^st for the succeeding year.

AUTOMATIC RENEWAL: To ease the burden on taxpayers, the Property Appraisers have begun automatically renewing homestead exemption. As long as nothing has changed and the property in question is still your primary residence, your HOMESTEAD exemption will be automatically renewed each year on January 1^st.

In January, you will be mailed a renewal receipt identifying your home. If you still live in this house, you need to do nothing; your exemption will be automatically renewed. Just keep the card as your receipt.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER EXEMPTIONS I MAY QUALIFY FOR? There are several other exemptions available to qualified applicants. Legally blind persons, disabled veterans, widows or widowers and permanently and totally disabled persons may also receive additional exemptions. For more information contact the Property Appraiser’s Office.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

January 1^st thru March 1^st -
Filing of applications for all exemptions for the current year, including Homestead.

August 1^st or thereabouts-
Assessment notices are mailed detailing the current assessed value and tax amount based on the proposed millage. Included are public hearing dates for discussion of the proposed millage rate.

November 1^st or thereabouts-
Tax bills mailed by the Tax Collector to all property owners.

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION AND WHERE DO I FILE? The exemption staff of the Property Appraiser’s office is trained to answer all of your questions about HOMESTEAD or any other exemptions. They will also be happy to assist you in filing the appropriate application. If you have any questions, the following are the addresses and phone numbers of the various Property Appraiser’s office in the counties as listed.

Baker County:          

Gary Barber, C.F.A.
32 North 5th Street, Suite B
Macclenny, Florida 32063
Phone: (904) 259-3191
Fax: (904) 259-8221

Clay County:

Wayne G. Weeks, C.F.A.

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 38
Green Cove Springs, Florida 32043
Phone: (904) 284-6305
Fax: (904) 284-2923

Physical Address
477 Houston Street
Green Cove Springs, Florida 32043

Duval County:

James N. Overton
231 East Forsyth Street, Room 270
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Phone: (904) 630-2014
Fax: (904) 630-2922

Visit the following website to download a copy of the Homestead Exemption Application for Duval County: http://pawww.coj.net/pub/property/HMST.htm

Nassau County:

James S. Page, C.F.A.

Mailing Address:
P.O. Drawer 870
Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034
Phone: (904) 491-7300
Fax: (904) 491-3629 (Call first.)

Physical Address:
11 North 14^th Street, Room 6
Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034

St. Johns County:

Sharon Outland

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 125
St. Augustine, Florida 32085
Phone: (904) 823-2200
Fax: (904) 823-2468

Physical Address (Main Branch):
4030 Lewis Speedway, Suite 203
St. Augustine, Florida 32084
Phone: (904) 827-5500
Fax: (904) 827-5580

Physical Address (Ponte Vedra Branch):
5430 Palm Valley Road
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082
Phone: (904) 280-1100
Fax: (904) 280-1111

Physical Address (Julington Creek Branch):
445 SR 13 North #9
Jacksonville, Florida 32259
Phone: (904) 287-6700
Fax: (904) 287-0821

Florida law requires that all property be assessed annually at just “fair market” value. It is the responsibility of the Property Appraiser in each county to determine the assessed value of all property in the county. In addition, Florida law requires the Property Appraiser to physically inspect all property in the county every three (3) years.

The Property Appraiser has no control over the amount of taxes you pay. The tax rate is set by the Mayor, City Council, and County Commissioners and/or School Board.