To get a homestead deduction on your Florida taxes, you have to fill out an application form, the DR-501, and demonstrate proof of residence by March 1 of the year for which you wish to qualify.
Travis County offers a 20% homestead exemption, the maximum allowed by law. The Commissioners Court also offers an additional $85,500 exemption for homesteads of those 65 years and older or are disabled.
A general residence homestead exempts a portion of your residence homestead's value from taxation, potentially lowering your taxes.
“A homestead exemption saved the average Travis County property owner $1,876 on their taxes in 2023,” added Mann. “Exemptions continue to be the easiest and fastest way to lower your property tax bill.”
Homestead exemption is $25,000 deducted from your assessed value before the taxes are calculated plus an additional homestead exemption up to $25,000 applied to the assessed value above $50,000. The additional exemption does not apply to school taxes.
Any property owned by the taxpayer and situated in this state is subject to the taxes exempted by the improper homestead exemption, plus a penalty of 50% of the unpaid taxes for each year and interest at a rate of 15% per annum.
Homestead tax exemptions usually offer a fixed discount on taxes, such as exempting the first $50,000 of the assessed value with the remainder taxed at the normal rate. With a $50,000 homestead exemption, a home valued at $150,000 would be taxed on only $100,000 of assessed value.