Homestead Exemption in Florida

[insanebikerboy]

So I just recently bought a house here in Fleming Island and today I got the paperwork from the tax man for the homestead exemption. What I'm wondering and hope maybe someone was in my same position, do I have to change my state of legal residence to Florida to be able to claim that come January?

I'd like to leave my state residency as it currently is yet still claim the exemption here in Florida. I don't own any other property and this is my primary residence.

If anyone has done this any tips would be greatly appreciated. The paperwork I received was saying I have to show either a Florida driver's license/id card, a voter's registration card, or car registration at that specific address.

Thanks.

 

[Carlos Caliente]

Don't think you can even claim the homestead exemption unless you are a FL resident. The good news about it is that the exemption stays on your property regardless of whether you use it as a primary residence or rental property, if you choose to keep it after PCS'ing out of FL. Homestead exemption is a good thing, as you aren't taxed on 25,000 on your property's value and the tax assessor cannot raise your ad valorem taxes more than 2% per year.
If you're not a resident and don't have the exemption the tax assessor can charge you taxes based on fair market value which basically amounts to being financially violated.

 

[ccnavyman]

You get caught claiming an exemption on rental property and you will learn the meaning of getting violated........

 

[insanebikerboy]

Don't think you can even claim the homestead exemption unless you are a FL resident. The good news about it is that the exemption stays on your property regardless of whether you use it as a primary residence or rental property, if you choose to keep it after PCS'ing out of FL. Homestead exemption is a good thing, as you aren't taxed on 25,000 on your property's value and the tax assessor cannot raise your ad valorem taxes more than 2% per year.
If you're not a resident and don't have the exemption the tax assessor can charge you taxes based on fair market value which basically amounts to being financially violated.

That's what I was thinking about residency. For all intents and purposes my current home state is the exact same as Florida with regard to taxes, gun laws, etc.

And an oh by the way, the homestead exemption is actually $50,000 now.

 

[Gatordev]

The good news about it is that the exemption stays on your property regardless of whether you use it as a primary residence or rental property, if you choose to keep it after PCS'ing out of FL.

As ccnavyman said, this is bad gouge. If they find out it's not your primary residence (which is why they want something that has that address on it), they will go after you.

 

[helo_wifey]

Armed Forces Homestead Allowances

I just filled ours out today and found this...from what it says at the bottom:

Also, Florida law allows you, as a member of the Armed Forces, to rent your residence in your absence without loss of your homestead exemption.

You can rent it out as long as it is maintained as your permanent Florida Residence.

Rental of homestead to constitute abandonment: Florida Statute 196.061


This might help you out as far as determining residency
196.015 Permanent residency; factual determination by property appraiser

 

[Gatordev]

Bah, that must be a new addition. I sold my house in Pensacola so hadn't stayed on top of this. Thanks for the correction.

 

[Carlos Caliente]

The exemption was increased to 50K last year but the military rental exemption has stood for at least as long as I've been out of state...going on 3 yrs now.

 

[Pilot123]

We are in the process of buying a house also in Jax. I am a Texas resident with TX DL, CHL, license plates, etc, etc.

I called the Clay County Tax office today to see what they had to say about me and the homestead exemption. I was told I do not need to change anything, I only need to come by, sign a few forms, and swear before a notary that the house is my primary residence and that I am on Active Duty.

 

[Gatordev]

The exemption was increased to 50K last year but the military rental exemption has stood for at least as long as I've been out of state...going on 3 yrs now.

That would explain it. I bought my house in 2005, which is when I was told about "lying" about your residence by a very serious county worker.