Apply Today: Homestead Tax Exemption & Save Our Homes (SOH) Credits

Did you buy a new or resale home within the last 12 months? March 1^st is quickly approaching.

Don’t forget to file your homestead exemption before 3/1/2010 with the Alachua county property appraiser office or you won’t be eligible for the tax exemption for this year.

You can always wait and apply next year, but you are throwing away lots of money and savings.

What is a Homestead Tax Exemption?

Homestead tax exemption is a reduction in your tax bill that the Alachua County Property Appraiser’s office will give to qualifying owners of real property in this county.

Owners who plan to make a property their permanent residence can qualify.

By filing a form to let the property appraiser office know that you plan on living at this address, you can save hundreds of dollars each year. Not only does this give you a credit on your tax bill, it also locks in the rate your taxes could go up each year in the future.

That is a big deal!

The appraiser’s office states that “To qualify you must: Make application by March 1st, possess recorded title by January 1st, and be a Florida resident living on the property with the intent of making it your permanent residence on January 1st.”

There is More to this Savings than Meets the Eye

Long ago, in fact Nov of 1992, voters approved “Amendment 10” to the Florida Constitution.

Save Money with Save our Homes

Amendment 10 limited the size of the increase in assessed value per year of owner occupied residential properties. You must have homestead status to qualify.  This is part of the huge savings you are eligible for, so don’t waste money – apply today.

What that means is when your property value goes UP your taxes are still calculated off the LOWER amount, which can save you $1,000′s in the long run.

How to Apply

If you haven’t applied yet, get in touch with the Property Appraiser’s Office now, before the end of February.

You can visit them in person for help filling out the form, or download the form and send it in to them.

Click here for the Property Appraiser’s Website

Here is a link to the correct form:
http://www.acpafl.org/pdf/homestead.pdf

The Property Appraiser’s office hours & address are:

Office Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Office Location: 12 SouthEast 1 st Street Room 213
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 23817 Gainesville, FL 32602-3817
Phone: (352) 374-5230     Fax: (352) 374-5278

They are very helpful people, so don’t let this savings slip by. Call and speak to someone, of fill out the online form.

You are welcome!