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February is all about love, and there’s one special relationship that deserves attention this season: the bond between you and your home. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, it’s time to show your home some love, not with roses or chocolates, but by making sure it’s protected with all the property tax exemptions it deserves. Think of these programs as love letters from Florida to your home (and your wallet), offering meaningful savings and peace of mind. With the annual application deadline on March 1, now is the perfect time to act.
Why Claim Exemptions?
Florida offers a bouquet of property tax exemptions that can significantly lower your tax bill. From Homestead to special breaks for seniors, surviving spouses, people with disabilities, and veterans, these programs help keep housing costs manageable for many Windermere homeowners. Here’s a quick guide to the major exemptions and how they can save you money.
Homestead Exemption is the cornerstone of Florida property tax relief. If your home is your permanent residence as of January 1. Homestead also comes with the Save Our Homes cap, limiting annual assessment increases to 3% - protecting you from tax jumps when market values soar.
Senior Exemption (65+) is an extra homestead benefit for those age 65 and up. Orange County offers an additional up to $50,000 exemption for homeowners 65+ whose household income falls below roughly $35,000.
A meaningful benefit for surviving spouses, the Widow/Widower Exemption. If you’ve lost a spouse and haven’t remarried, deduct $5,000 from your home’s assessed value. It’s modest, but easy to claim and can stack with other exemptions.
Homeowners with a qualified disability (including blindness) can get $5,000 off their assessed value. In severe cases (totally and permanently disabled with low income), you could even be 100% exempt - no property tax at all.
If you’re a veteran with a service-connected disability of 10% or more, you get a $5,000 reduction in assessed value. 100% permanently disabled veterans pay no property taxes on their homestead. And combat-disabled veterans (age 65+) get a discount equal to their disability percentage.
This February, take a moment to give your home a truly sweet gift. Check with the Orange County Property Appraiser to see which exemptions you’re eligible for and get your applications in by March 1. By claiming these tax breaks, you’ll keep more of your hard-earned money - all while caring for the home you love.
All these exemptions are handled through the Orange County Property Appraiser’s Office. Applying is straightforward (many forms are online), and most exemptions renew automatically once granted. Just be sure to apply by March 1 each year.
The Real Estate Collection | Happy Valentine’s Day
