If you are receiving homestead exemption but
have moved,
you must re-apply on your new residence.
Homestead Exemption Application can now be made by mail.
Florida's
constitution provides for a $25,000 exemption, which is deducted from a property's
assessed value if the owner qualifies. Applicants who timely file by March 1, possess
title to the real property, and are bona fide Florida residents living in the dwelling and
making it their permanent home as of January 1, qualify for the exemption. Properties
granted Homestead Exemption also automatically receive the "Save Our Homes",
Amendment 10, benefit. "Save Our Homes" limits any increase in assessed value of
properties with the Homestead Exemption to 3%, or the Consumer Price Index change,
whichever is less, in the second consecutive year the exemption is received. Exceptions to
that limitation include new additions or construction. Another exception occurs when
ownership of a homestead property is changed in any way, affecting the homestead. Assessed
value then returns to fair market (just) value in the year following the change.
Any person who knowingly and willfully gives false information for the purpose of claiming homestead exemption is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to one (1) year in prison and/or a $5,000 fine. 196.131, F.S.
Who is eligible for the Homestead Exemption?
Every person who holds
legal or equitable title to real property, maintains it as his/her permanent residence,
and is a legal resident of Florida as of January 1, of any year, can qualify for the
exemption for that year.
You must have legal or equitable title to the property and permanently reside thereon as of January 1. You should bring your deed, or instrument conveying title to the land, when filing for the exemption. Section 196.031(1), F.S., requires that the deed or instrument be recorded in Charlotte County's official records before a homestead exemption may be granted. Section 196.011(1)(b), F.S., requires applicants and their spouses, if any, to provide their social security numbers.
You must be a legal, permanent resident of Florida as of January 1 in order to qualify for a personal exemption.
| 1. | Voter registration or, if not a United States Citizen or you do not wishto register to vote, a Declaration of Domicile. |
| 2. | Declaration of Domicile filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court. (There is a nominal charge for recording.) |
| 3. | Florida driver's license (a "Valid in Florida Only" license is not acceptable). |
| 4. | Florida vehicle registration for all vehicles. |
| 5. | If property is owned by both husband and wife, Florida residency information should be provided for both. |
| 1. | If not a U.S. citizen, a resident alien, "green" card. (Copy front and back) |
| 2. | If property is held in trust, a copy of the trust agreement or an "Affidavit As To Terms of Trust" as it applies to the homestead property. |
| 3. | If residence is a mobile home, the real property decal number and a copy of the mobile home's registration or title. |
| 4. | Social Security numbers for applicants. If married, you must also provide spouse's social security number. |
| 5. | Your most recent paid tax bill with parcel identification number or recorded deed or recorded contract for deed. |
Please direct questions
concerning exemptions to this office at
records@ccappraiser.com or (941)743-1593.
A widow or widower who is a permanent Florida resident may claim this exemption. If the widow or widower remarries, he/she is no longer eligible. If the husband and wife were divorced before death, he/she is not considered a widow/widower. You must include a photocopy of your spouse's death certificate when making application, in addition to the information previously listed. If you wish to file by mail, the instruction sheet and application may be obtained by clicking here.
In addition to Florida residency, you must provide one of the following:
| 1. | Proof of total and permanent disability from one (1) licensed Florida physician (Use Physician's Certification of Total and Permanent Disability form), the U.S. Veterans' Administration or the Social Security Administration. |
| 2. | Proof of legal blindness. |
If you wish to file by mail, the instruction sheet and application may be obtained by clicking here.
In addition to Florida residency, you must provide proof of 10% or more war-time disability from Veteran's Administration. This exemption can also pass on to the surviving spouse under certain conditions.
If you wish to file by mail, the instruction sheet and application may be obtained by clicking here.
Section 196.101, F.S., provides that real estate qualifying for the homestead exemption on January 1, owned by quadriplegic, paraplegic, hemiplegic, or other totally and permanently disabled persons, who must use a wheelchair for mobility, or are legally blind and produce certification of that fact from two (2) professionally unrelated licensed Florida physicians(Use Physician's Certification of Total and Permanent Disability form) or the U.S. Veterans Administration, shall be exempt from ad valorem taxation.
Except for quadriplegics, there is also a gross income limitation for this exemption, covering all persons residing upon the homestead, which is adjusted annually. Please contact the Property Appraiser's Office for current amount. Gross income must be provided with the initial application and the limitation must be met each year thereafter for the exemption to remain in effect.
Section 196.081, F.S., provides that real estate qualifying for the homestead exemption on January 1, owned by veterans honorably discharged with a service connected total and permanent disability, shall be exempt from ad valorem taxation. Confirmation of the disability from the U.S. Veterans Administration is required for this exemption. A surviving spouse could enjoy the benefit of this exemption if the veteran was a permanent resident of Florida on January 1 of the year he or she died.
If you wish to file by mail, the instruction sheet and application may be obtained by clicking here.
New applications for all exemptions may be filed by mail or in person, at the Property Appraiser's office between January 1 and March 1, with one exception. Florida law allows new homestead applications, only,to be filed prior to January 1 of the year the exemption isto be effective. The Property Appraiser begins accepting pre-filed homestead applications only, on March 2 of each year for the succeeding year.
To better serve the residents of Charlotte County, we are now accepting exemption applications by mail. The instruction sheet and application form may be obtained by clicking here. If you prefer to apply in person you may do so at: Charlotte County Administration Center (Third Floor), 18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte, FL; South County Annex, 410 Taylor Street, Punta Gorda, FL; West Charlotte Annex, 6868 San Casa Drive, Englewood, FL.
If you have any questions regarding Homestead Exemption applications/filing, please contact us at records@ccappraiser.com or (941) 743-1593.
If you do not reside in Charlotte County, you should contact the office of the County Property Appraiser where you permanently reside for exemption information.
Rental of an
entire dwelling which has received a homestead exemption, constitutes abandonment of the
dwelling until once again occupied by the owner. Abandonment after January 1st of any year
will not affect the homestead exemption for that year. However, if abandonment occurs for
a second consecutive year, the homestead exemption will be lost.
If you hold title to a mobile home and the land on which it is situated, and the mobile home is permanently affixed to the land, you should make application to the Property Appraiser, in person, to purchase an RP (Real Property) decal, since the mobile home will be assessed as part of the realty. Homestead exemption may be allowed if the mobile home meets those requirements, and you qualify for the exemption. Application for homestead exemption must be made between January 1 and March 1. In the event your mobile home does not qualify for an RP sticker, you are required to purchase an MH (Mobile Home) decal annually from the Tax Collector's
office.Mobile homes without a current license decal properly affixed will be assessed on the Tax Roll as either Real Property or Tangible Personal Property. If the owner of the mobile home also owns the land on which it is located and the mobile home is permanently affixed to the realty, it will be valued as part of the realty. Otherwise, the mobile home will be placed on the Tangible Personal Property Tax Roll. 193.075, F.S.
Property used exclusively or predominately for charitable, religious, educational, governmental, literary or scientific purposes, as defined by Florida Law, may be wholly or partially exempt from ad valorem taxation.
Property used exclusively for exempt purposes is totally exempt from taxation.
Property used predominately for exempt purposes is exempt to the extent of the ratio that such predominant use bears to the non-exempt use.
Application for these exemptions must be filed with the Property Appraiser's office between January 1 and March 1. No exemption may be granted until the applicant is found by the Property Appraiser, or Value Adjustment Board, to be non-profit as defined in Section 196.195, F.S.
If your opinion of your property's value differs from the Property Appraiser's, by all means please come in and discuss the matter with us. If you have evidence that our appraisal is more than the actual fair market value of your property on the preceding January 1 appraisal date, we will welcome the opportunity to review all pertinent facts.
After speaking with us, if you still find a significant difference between our
appraisal and what you feel your property's market value is, you may request a
hearing before the Value Adjustment Board. A written petition must be filed
with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, acting as Clerk of the Value Adjustment
Board, during the appropriate filing period, usually late August-early
September. Petitions may be obtained at this
site or from the Property Appraiser.
The Value Adjustment Board's function is to hear evidence concerning whether or
not properties called to their attention are appraised at more or less than
their just value on the previous January 1. If such is the case, the Board has
the authority to change the appraised value. They cannot make a change for any
other reason.
The Board also hears appeals of exemption and classified value denial.
The Property Appraiser and staff are at the public's service and will be glad to
assist in all matters pertaining to appraisal and exemptions in Charlotte
County.
The Property Appraiser's Office is your office. Please feel free at all times
to visit and examine our public records.
Copyright © 1997-2003 Charlotte County Property
Appraiser. All rights reserved.
This page last modified on: August 1, 2003
