By Marty Kiar, CFA

All qualified Florida residents are eligible to receive a Homestead Exemption on their homes, condominiums, co-op apartments, and certain mobile home lots.  To qualify for Homestead Exemption, you must own and make the property your permanent residence on January 1 of the year for which you are applying for this valuable exemption.  Pursuant to Florida law, all assessments and exemptions are based upon the status of the property on January 1.  If you acquired the property as your permanent residence in 2023 and have not applied for Homestead Exemption, you can apply for 2024 exemptions at any time – there is no need to wait until 2024 to file your exemption application. You can easily apply online at https://web.bcpa.net/bcpaclient/#/HomesteadExemption 

The timely deadline to file for all 2024 exemptions is March 1, 2024.  You must make the property your permanent residence by January 1, 2024, in order to qualify; however, you have until March 1 to timely file your application with the property appraiser’s office. The late filing deadline for all 2024 exemptions is September 18, 2024.  For information about all the other exemptions available, please visit the “Exemptions & Classifications” page on our website https://web.bcpa.net/bcpaclient/#/Homestead 

Once approved, your Homestead Exemption automatically renews each year provided there is no change in the ownership or use of the property. If you have already applied and been approved for Homestead Exemption at your current property, you do not need to reapply for this exemption. You will receive a Homestead Exemption renewal card next month to keep for your records.

BCPA Gives Back

In the spirit of giving, our office recently participated in a turkey giveaway and held a food drive to benefit The Pantry of Broward County.  The Pantry of Broward County is a “one-stop shop” for seniors (age 60+) struggling to live on low-fixed incomes and to help grandparents raising their grandchildren. BCPA employees donated 2,358 cans of food to The Pantry to help during the holiday season. 

If you have any questions about Homestead Exemption or any other exemptions, please call 954.357.6830 or email me at martykiar@bcpa.net.