What is the standard Florida homestead exemption?

The standard Florida homestead exemption reduces your home's assessed value by up to $50,000 for property tax purposes. The first $25,000 applies to all taxing authorities (county, city, school). The second $25,000 applies to non-school taxes on assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000. This is available to all Florida homeowners who make the property their primary residence, per Florida Statute § 196.031.

Do disabled veterans get an additional homestead exemption in Florida?

Yes. Veterans with a VA service-connected disability rating of 10% or higher receive an additional property tax discount based on their disability percentage, per Florida Statute § 196.082. For example, a veteran rated 30% disabled receives a 30% discount on the taxable value after the standard homestead exemption. Veterans rated 100% permanently and totally disabled receive a full exemption — zero property taxes on their primary residence.

How does the 100% disabled veteran exemption work in Florida?

Veterans who are 100% permanently and totally disabled due to service-connected conditions pay zero property taxes on their homestead property. This exemption applies to the entire assessed value of the home with no cap. According to Florida Statute § 196.081, the veteran must provide their VA disability letter showing permanent and total disability status to the county property appraiser.

Does the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran keep the exemption?

Yes. Under Florida Statute § 196.081(4), the unremarried surviving spouse of a veteran who was 100% permanently and totally disabled at the time of death can continue to receive the full property tax exemption. If the spouse remarries, the exemption is lost. This protection also applies to spouses of veterans who died from service-connected causes.

When is the deadline to file for Florida homestead exemption?

The deadline to file for Florida homestead exemption is March 1 of each year. You file with your county property appraiser's office. New homeowners should file as soon as they close on the property — you can file early for the following year. Late filings may still be accepted at the property appraiser's discretion, but timely filing guarantees your exemption.

Can you get both the standard homestead exemption and the veteran disability exemption?

For veterans rated below 100% disabled, the disability discount applies on top of the standard $50,000 homestead exemption, providing compounding tax savings. For 100% disabled veterans, the full exemption replaces the standard exemption since the entire assessed value is already exempt — there is no property tax owed at all.

Florida Homestead Exemption for Veterans: Tax Savings Guide (2026)

Last updated: June 2026

Florida offers multiple layers of property tax savings for veteran homeowners. Every homeowner gets the standard $50,000 homestead exemption. Veterans with a VA disability rating of 10% or higher receive an additional percentage-based discount. Veterans rated 100% permanently and totally disabled pay zero property taxes on their primary residence. Surviving spouses of qualifying veterans may continue receiving these benefits. All exemptions are filed with your county property appraiser by March 1.

Florida is one of the most veteran-friendly states in the country when it comes to property taxes. The combination of no state income tax and generous homestead exemptions can save veteran homeowners thousands — or even tens of thousands — of dollars per year. According to the Florida Department of Revenue, these exemptions are established by the Florida Constitution and state statutes, not local policy, so they apply uniformly across all 67 counties.

Barrett Henry is a Military Relocation Professional (MRP) and Broker Associate with REMAX Collective, serving veteran and military homebuyers across Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Polk, Manatee, and Sarasota counties in Tampa Bay, Florida. Barrett does not provide tax or legal advice — he helps Tampa Bay veterans understand the financial benefits of Florida homeownership and connects them with county property appraiser offices for filing.

What Homestead Exemption Tiers Are Available to Florida Veterans?

The table below summarizes the exemption levels, eligibility, and approximate annual savings for a home assessed at $350,000 in Hillsborough County (2026 millage rates used for illustration):

Exemption Tier	Who Qualifies	What It Does	FL Statute
Standard $50,000	All FL homeowners (primary residence)	Reduces assessed value by up to $50,000	§ 196.031
Partial Disability (10%–99%)	Veterans with 10%+ VA disability rating	Additional % discount matching disability rating	§ 196.082
100% Disabled — Full Exemption	Veterans rated 100% P&T disabled	$0 property tax on entire homestead	§ 196.081
Surviving Spouse	Unremarried spouse of 100% P&T veteran	Full exemption continues	§ 196.081(4)
Combat-Disabled Discount	Veterans 65+ with combat-related disability	Additional discount on top of other exemptions	§ 196.082(1)

How Do You File for the Florida Homestead Exemption?

Filing is done through your county property appraiser's office. Here are the steps for Tampa Bay area counties:

File by March 1. The constitutional deadline is March 1 of the tax year. New homeowners should file immediately after closing — you can file for the following year even before January 1.
Gather your documents.You will need: Florida driver's license or ID (showing the property address), Social Security number, property deed or closing statement, and (for veteran exemptions) your VA disability rating letter.
File online or in person. Most Tampa Bay counties offer online filing through their property appraiser website. Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, and Manatee counties all have online portals.
Apply for veteran exemptions separately. The disability-based exemptions require additional documentation (VA letter) and are filed in addition to the standard homestead exemption. File both at the same time.
Confirm annually (if required). Most counties send annual renewal notices. Some exemptions auto-renew; others require you to confirm your eligibility each year. Check with your county office.

Buying a Home in Tampa Bay? Maximize Your Tax Savings

Barrett Henry (MRP) helps veterans understand the financial advantages of Florida homeownership — including homestead exemptions worth thousands per year.

Get Free VA Guidance (813) 733-7907

What Is the Save Our Homes Cap and How Does It Help Veterans?

In addition to the homestead exemption, Florida's "Save Our Homes" amendment (Article VII, Section 4 of the Florida Constitution) caps annual increases in your property's assessed value at 3% or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower. This means even if your home's market value jumps 10% in one year, your assessed value (for tax purposes) can only increase by up to 3%. Over time, this creates a growing gap between market value and assessed value, saving homeowners significant money. This cap applies on top of all homestead exemptions, providing an additional layer of property tax protection.

Can You Transfer Your Homestead Exemption Savings When You Move?

Yes. Florida's portability provision (Florida Statute § 193.155) allows you to transfer up to $500,000 of your accumulated Save Our Homes benefit to a new Florida homestead property. This is especially valuable for veterans who have owned a Florida home for several years and built up significant assessed-value savings. You must apply for portability within 3 years of giving up your previous homestead and file with the new county's property appraiser.

Sources

Florida Statute § 196.031 — Standard Homestead Exemption
Florida Statute § 196.081 — Exemption for Totally and Permanently Disabled Veterans
Florida Statute § 196.082 — Discount for Disabled Veterans
Florida Department of Revenue — Property Tax Exemptions and Discounts: floridarevenue.com (exemptions)
Florida Constitution, Article VII, Section 4 — Save Our Homes amendment