DOES MY HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION AUTOMATICALLY RENEW?
After your initial application for Homestead Exemption has been approved, it automatically renews each year unless there is a change of ownership or eligible use of your homesteaded property. Each January, our office mails a Homestead Renewal Notice and “Change Card” to all Homesteaded properties. Florida law requires the property owner to notify the Property Appraiser of any change which may affect homestead eligibility. This Change Order Card provides an efficient way to communicate these important changes to our office.
If there are NO changes to the use and/or ownership of your property, simply keep the card as your receipt verifying that your Homestead Exemption has automatically renewed for another year. However, if there are changes, please mark the Change Card accordingly and return it to our office.
If your name is not printed above the mailing address section on this card, it means you are not protected by Homestead Exemption at this property. You may be on title to the property, but you are not receiving Homestead Exemption. If you are eligible for Homestead Exemption on this property, you must complete your own Homestead Exemption application. You can apply online at https://web.bcpa.net/bcpaclient/#/HomesteadExemption
If you are a co-owner, surviving spouse, trust beneficiary or otherwise believe you are eligible for this exemption, you must file your own Homestead Exemption application to receive the benefit. If you have any questions relating to the death of the owner, the Change Card or need assistance in filing for Homestead or other tax-saving exemptions, please visit our website at web.bcpa.net or contact our Customer Service Department at 954-357-6830.
WHERE DID MY PORTABILITY SAVINGS GO?
A portability deduction is only posted to your property record page in the first year you receive your new Homestead Exemption. The portability savings from the first year form the basis of your new Save Our Homes value on a going forward basis and — in subsequent years — will rise or fall based upon market just value changes and the 3% cap, as your new Save Our Homes value has incorporated your portability savings. When our website is updated to display subsequent year property values, your portability deduction is no longer shown independently because it is already factored into your new Assessed/Save Our Homes value.
If my office can ever be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at martykiar@bcpa.net.
Take care,
Marty Kiar, CFA
Broward County Property Appraiser
