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Homestead exemption is a constitutional
guarantee that reduces the assessed value of residential property up to $25,000
for qualified permanent residents. You can reduce your ad valorem tax bill by
seeking a homestead exemption on the first $25,000 of your home's value. To
file for the exemption, establish residency by December 31 prior to the year
you will claim exemption, then file for exemption in January or
February. 
Information needed to file homestead
exemption are as follows
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Proof to establish residency prior to
January 1 for all owners who occupy the property.
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Florida Voter Registration Card or
Declaration of Domicile.
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A Valid Florida Driver's License or
Identification Card.
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Florida Auto Tag Registration on all
vehicles privately owned.
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Social Security
Numbers
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To prove that your residency was
established in the required time frame, provide a recorded deed or tax bill in
your name for the home or vehicle registration/title for a mobile
home.
Eligibility for Homestead
Exemption
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Homeowners who rent their home are
unable to qualify for homestead exemption. Rental of one's primary residence
constitutes abandonment of homestead exemption.
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Mobile Home Owners can get homestead
exemption if they own the land to which the mobile home is permanently affixed.
The Title or Registration to the mobile home and residency of documentation are
needed.
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Citizenship is not required to file for
homestead exemption. An applicant who is not an U.S. Citizen must present a
Declaration of Domicile and a permanent resident alien card (green card) when
they apply.
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If you are a qualified Florida resident
who has a spouse that has deceased, you are eligible for a windows or widowers
exemption.
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Exemptions are not automatically
transferred from one residence to a new home. To receive an exemption on a new
home, one must reapply before March 1.
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One will receive the benefit of a
previous owners' exemption for the remainder of that year when purchasing a new
home. To continue the exemption, one must reapply before March 1 of the next
year to qualify.
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If the property is in a trust, a copy of
the trust agreement is necessary to determine those situations under which the
resident may obtain homestead exemption. The Florida Constitution requires that
the homestead claimant have beneficial title or legal title in equity to the
property.
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Other Tax exemptions include medical and
disabled veterans, total and permanent disability, quadriplegic, blinds,
wheelchair confined and service connected disability
exemptions.
For more information regarding homestead
exemption, please contact:
Sarasota County Property Appraiser
2001
Adams Lane
Sarasota, FL
(941) 951-5650
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Buyers Remorse >Dream Versus Reality
When you decide to buy a home, you may feel resistance to fulfilling the many practical requirements that are necessary to turn your dream into a reality. An important part of a professional real estate agent's job is to help you overcome such resistance.
You will need to handle a multitude of details when purchasing a property. There are numerous deadlines that require a timely response. Home purchases come with a lot of paperwork, such as the financial statement and purchase agreement. Negotiations with the seller are a standard part of the process. All of these practical "realities" can seem overwhelming.
You may experience a startling range of emotions at each step of the way, from mild anxiety to full-blown "buyer's remorse". It helps to remember that everyone who has purchased a home has probably experienced similar feelings. Just take a deep breath and trust your real estate agent, who is trained to help you deal with the pressures of the home-buying process.
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