To qualify you must be a permanent resident of Florida as of January 1st the year you apply for the exemption. Florida law does allow new homestead applications to be filed prior to January 1st of the year the exemption is to be effective. However, pre-filed applications will only be accepted after March 1st of each year for the succeeding year.

Florida Statutes allow only one Homestead Exemption per "family unit." This means that anyone applying for the Homestead Exemption in Collier County would not be legally entitled to receive the exemption if they or their spouse are receiving residency-based exemption(s) in another state. This includes veterans and senior citizen exemptions.

All of the following items are required as proof of legal residence:

• Evidence of ownership (deed, tax receipt, etc.)
• Social Security numbers for all owners
• County Voter Registration (if you vote)
• Florida Driver License
• Florida Vehicle Registration

Optional: Declaration of Domicile filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court prior to January 1st of the year of application.

You must have legal and equitable title to the property and reside in the property as your primary residence as of January 1st.

Additional information may be necessary:

• If not a U.S. citizen, a resident alien "green" card.
• If your property is held in trust, a complete copy of the trust agreement.
• If your residence is a mobile home, the real property decal number and a copy of the registration or title to the mobile home.

When and Where to File:

New applications for Homestead Exemption for the current year must be made in person prior to March 1st at the Property Appraiser’s office or in your various local communities at a time and place designated by the Property Appraiser.

The schedule indicating the time and place for filing for exemptions'is published each year in your local newspaper or you may call the PropertyAppraiser’s office for information.

Please remember, that property owners who are not eligible for the current year but will be eligible for the following year, may pre-file for the exemption any time after March 1st.

Total Exemption of Homestead From Taxation

Florida Statutes provide that real estate used and owned as a homestead by a quadriplegic, paraplegic, hemiplegic, or other totally and permanently disabled person, who must use a wheel chair for mobility or is legally blind shall be exempt from ad valorem taxation. The applicant must produce a Certificate of this disability from two professionally unrelated licensed Florida physicians or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The income of all persons residing at the homestead cannot exceed an income ceiling determined yearly by the Florida Department of Revenue (call our office for figures) including Social Security benefits. (Quadriplegics are exempted from the income requirement).

Florida Statutes provide that real estate used and owned as a homestead by a veteran, honorably discharged with a service connected total and permanent disability, shall be exempt from ad valorem taxation. The applicant must have a letter from the U.S. Government or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs confirming this disability. The veteran must be a permanent resident of Florida prior to January 1st of the tax year for which the exemption is being claimed.

Loss of Homestead

The rental of an entire dwelling previously claimed to be a homestead for tax purposes shall constitute abandonment of said dwelling as a homestead. Abandonment of such homestead after January 1st of any year shall not affect the homestead exemption for tax purposes for that particular year.