So you missed the March 1st deadline for filing your application for a homestead exemption. What now? Are you completely out of luck?
Maybe not. Florida law allows the Property Appraiser or the Value Adjustment Board to grant late-filed homestead exemption applications if the untimely filing was due to particular extenuating circumstances. If you believe that your reasons for filing late meet this standard, you must do two things:
1. File the late homestead exemption application with the Property Appraiser; and
2. File a petition with your county’s Value Adjustment Board no later than 25 days after the mailing of the TRIM notice by the Property Appraiser (which usually occurs in late August).
It is very important that you take both of the above steps, as the VAB cannot consider your petition unless you have filed an exemption application, however untimely, with the Property Appraiser. The VAB will then notify you of the time scheduled for your hearing before the VAB or a Special Magistrate, where you will testify as to your reasons for filing late. If the VAB determines that your untimely filing was due to particular extenuating circumstances and you were otherwise entitled to the exemption, your homestead exemption will be granted.
Property Tax in Florida 
March 17, 2011 at 6:55 pm
I DID NOT KNOW IN FLORIDA YOU HAD TO FILE FOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION. I HAVE LIVED IN FL. SINCE 2007 CAN I LATE FILE ON 2008, 2009, 2010. THANK YOU
July 18, 2011 at 6:59 pm
what kind of reasons are considered “extenuating circumstances” to be granted a late filing homestead?
August 26, 2012 at 8:10 pm
I always had homestead expemtions since 1966 and in approxiamtely in March 2011 I added my daughter to the title of the hosuse due to an equity loan that I had to to my house that was already paid and since I was 64 years the credit union that gave the money suggested that I added my daughter to grant that loan. At any moment noone mentioned that I had to re-apply for the homestead exemption since it was only an additon and not a sale. I am retiring this year and I just received the estimated taxes and the exemptions are 0, Therefore my taxes were raised approximately between 2,500.00 and 3,000.00. I have no money and you save during the year what you more less think your taxes are going to be. During thr last 48 years I have paid and taxes on time and have qualified for the exemptions, please help me due this appeal.
November 2, 2011 at 1:03 am
Am I supposed to receive somthing in the mail regarding homestead exemption or am I supposed to know when to file for it?
November 3, 2011 at 8:19 pm
Is there a deadline for when you must have purchased your home to claim homestead the following year? I mean could I close on a house December 31st 2011 and be eligible the following year 2012 for homestead? If I file by March 1, 2012
November 17, 2011 at 2:59 pm
In order to qualify for a 2012 homestead exemption, you must own the house on January 1, 2012, and make it your permanent residence as of that date. Thus, you could qualify if you closed on the property on Dec. 31, 2011 and moved in that same day.
April 24, 2012 at 10:28 pm
Where do you go and / or who do you phone regarding Homestead deductions? Relocated to Ft. Myers, Dec. 2011 permenantly full time resident. Husband gravely ill 2/19/2012 still in recovery on oxygen now @ home. Can we be eligible for 2011 or wait for exemption in 2012.