Homestead Exemption - Alachua County, Florida - Don't forget to File!

After the holiday season each year, we all start thinking about April 15th. The IRS DAY, or impending DOOM DAY. But there is another VERY important DAY to remember. Especially if you bought your home in 2007.

Homestead Exemption must be filed by MARCH 1st for the year you want to "qualify".

If you bought a home in Alachua County in 2007, make sure you file for homestead exemption BEFORE March 1st of 2008. You only have to do this one time, but it directly effects your budget and will save you approximately $700 in real estate taxes.

This saving may increase if the current Amendment gets approved on our VOTE January 29th, but as of now our current homestead exemption saves homeowners by reducing the "taxable value" base by $ 25,000. The Alachua County Millage Rate currently means that your exemption saves you about $700 on your annual tax bill.

REMEMBER THIS: If you bought a home in 2007, and the sellers did have an existing homestead exemption that home, it does NOT "automatically" transfer to you! YOU must file for this exemption before March 1st, 2008 to get your exemption.

Our Alachua County Property Appraiser Office has a excellent web site!

This is the direct link so you can DOWNLOAD the Application for Filing Homestead .

There is also have a great Q & A Section on their site. The county site is full of great information, and here are a couple of great links that will help you get your exemption and learn about our Property Appraiser!

Link to Guidelines for Exemptions and Classifications

Application for Ad Valorem Tax Exemption (Homestead Exemption)

You may also want to review additional exemptions you would qualify for, so check out the County's site and review this list below!

What other exemptions are available?

• $25000 Senior Homestead Exemption
• $500 Widows/Widowers Exemption
• $500 Disability Exemption
• $500 Exemption for Blind Persons
• $5000 Veteran Disability Exemption
• Service-Connected Total and Permanent Disability Exemption
• Exemption for Totally and Permanently Disabled Persons
• Exemption for Disabled Veterans Confined to Wheelchairs

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Written and Posted By: Chris Bohn, GRI- ABR-ePro- Gainesville FL Real Estate Copyright © 2008
Chris Bohn, RE/MAX Professionals, Inc., is a Florida Realtor® who specializes in Gainesville, FL and communities in Alachua County, FL . To find out more information about her real estate services please visit her profile . You are welcome to contact her by phone at 352-472-4472 Ext 103 or by email at chris@eHomesGainesville.com . You can click to view her listings or visit her website. Thank you for your visit.