Lisa Barton

If you bought a home in Florida during 2009 don’t foget to file for homestead exemption and portability by March 1. New property owners who live in their home on Jan. 1, 2010 may file for homestead exemption, portability and other exemptions through March 1, 2010. Filers must be permanent Florida residents. Homestead exemption can provide up to $50,000 off the assessed value of a home, lowering property taxes. Property owners with a previous Florida homestead exemption who recently moved into a new home may also be eligible for portability (the transfer of the savings from the Save Our Homes cap on a previous home to a new home). Filers who miss the deadline may apply late for a homestead exemption until early September, but must provide documentation stating the reason for late filing. For more information, contact your local property appraiser’s office.