A Man's Home is his Tax Shelter !
For those of you who haven't already done so, the time to file for homestead exemption has almost gone. Florida law requires that application be made by March 1st to be eligible for the $25,000 Homestead Exemption. Before you start crying for having missed it, I should let you know that this year is an exception ! Because March 1st fell on a Saturday this year, the deadline has been extended until Monday, March 3rd. This gives those persons and families a few extra hours to get their homes filed with the state.
For those of you who are first time home owners and may not be familiar with Homestead Exemption, Homestead Exemption is a constitutional benefit of a $25,000 exemption removed from the assessed value of your property. It is granted to those applicants who timely file by March 1, possess title to real property and are bona fide Florida residents living in the dwelling and making it their permanent home on January 1. Properties granted Homestead Exemption automatically receive the “Save Our Homes” benefit.
So, by hook or by crook, be sure to file ! The Lee County Property Appraiser has a page on their website that lets you know all of the details. Since they accept applications by mail, make sure that yours is postmarked no later than March 3rd, 2008.
