Homestead Exemption in Davie, Florida: What You Need to Know

If you own a home in Davie, Florida and you have NOT filed for your homestead exemption, you are leaving money on the table. Real money. Every single year.

I am Anthony Spitaleri, a local Davie real estate agent and Tom Ferry business coach. I talk to homeowners about this ALL the time because it is one of the easiest ways to lower your property taxes. And it shocks me how many people still have not done it.

Let me walk you through everything you need to know.

What Is the Homestead Exemption in Florida?

Think of the homestead exemption like a coupon for your property taxes. It reduces the taxable value of your primary home by up to $50,000. Less taxable value means a lower tax bill.

Here is how it breaks down. The first $25,000 of exemption applies to ALL property taxes, including school district taxes. The second $25,000 applies to non school taxes only and kicks in when your home’s assessed value is between $50,000 and $75,000.

For most Davie homeowners, that translates to real savings of $659 to $1,009 per year depending on your city’s specific millage rate. That is money back in your pocket just for filing a simple form.

The 2026 Deadline You Cannot Miss

Here is the CRITICAL part. The regular filing deadline for the 2026 homestead exemption in Broward County is March 2, 2026. That is coming up FAST.

If you miss that date, there is a late filing window that extends until September 18, 2026. But do not rely on that. File early. Get it done.

After September 18, the law does not allow any exceptions. No extensions. No excuses. Miss it and you wait another full year and pay higher taxes in the meantime.

You can file online at the Broward County Property Appraiser’s website. It takes about 10 minutes. No reason to wait.

Who Qualifies for the Homestead Exemption in Davie?

You qualify if you meet these three requirements:

You own the property. Your name must be on the deed as of January 1st of the tax year.

It is your permanent residence. This must be where you live full time. Not a rental property. Not a vacation home. Your PRIMARY home.

You lived there on January 1st. You must have been residing at the property on January 1st of the year you are applying for.

That is it. If you own a home in Davie and it is your primary residence, you almost certainly qualify.

How to File for Homestead Exemption in Broward County

You have three options.

File Online

The easiest way. Go to the Broward County Property Appraiser’s online portal and submit your application digitally. You will need your property address and some basic personal information.

File In Person

The Broward County Property Appraiser’s office hosts community outreach events throughout the county. Deputy appraisers can help you complete your application on the spot and answer any questions.

File by Mail

Download Form DR 501 from the Florida Department of Revenue and mail it to your county property appraiser’s office.

Whichever method you choose, make sure you have these documents ready: a current Florida driver’s license or ID card, and a current voter registration card or declaration of domicile. If you are not a US citizen, you will also need proof of permanent residency.

The Save Our Homes Benefit. This Is HUGE.

The homestead exemption is great. But the Save Our Homes cap that comes WITH it might be even more valuable.

Here is how it works. Once you have a homestead exemption, your property’s assessed value can only increase by a maximum of 3% per year or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower. Even if the market value of your home jumps 10% or 20% in one year, your taxable value stays protected.

In a hot market like South Florida where home values have been climbing steadily, this cap saves homeowners THOUSANDS of dollars over time.

Let me give you an example. Say your Davie home is worth $600,000 but your assessed value is only $450,000 because of the Save Our Homes cap. You are paying taxes on $450,000, not $600,000. That is a massive difference.

This is also why people who have owned their Davie home for many years have such low tax bills compared to new buyers. The cap has been protecting them the entire time.

Portability. Moving Within Florida?

Here is a bonus most people do not know about. If you previously had a homestead exemption on another Florida home within the last 3 years, you can PORT your Save Our Homes savings to your new Davie home.

This is called portability. It means you do not lose your accumulated tax savings when you move. You can transfer up to $500,000 in assessed value difference to your new property.

You have to file a separate portability application when you file your new homestead exemption. But it is absolutely worth it.

If you are thinking about selling your current Florida home and moving to Davie, this could save you a significant amount in property taxes. Read my post on Florida Property Taxes Eliminated? Here’s What Davie Homeowners Actually Need to Know for the latest on property tax changes in Florida.

What Happens If You Do Not File?

Simple. You pay more in property taxes than you should. There is no automatic enrollment. Nobody is going to file this for you. It is your responsibility.

And here is the kicker. If you bought your home recently and did not file for homestead, you are paying taxes on the FULL assessed value with no cap protection. Every year you wait, you lose money.

Common Homestead Exemption Mistakes Davie Homeowners Make

Not filing at all. This is the biggest one. You would be surprised how many homeowners simply never get around to it.

Filing late. The deadline is March 2, 2026. Put it in your calendar right now.

Not updating after a life change. If you got married, divorced, or added someone to your deed, you may need to update your exemption.

Claiming on more than one property. Florida law says you can only have ONE homestead exemption. Claiming on multiple properties is fraud and carries serious penalties.

Forgetting portability. If you moved from another Florida home, do not forget to file for portability. It could save you thousands.

Additional Exemptions for Davie Homeowners

Beyond the standard homestead exemption, Broward County offers additional property tax relief:

Senior Exemption. If you are 65 or older and meet certain income requirements, you may qualify for an additional $50,000 exemption. That brings your total potential exemption to $100,000.

Disability Exemption. Veterans and individuals with disabilities may qualify for additional exemptions depending on their circumstances.

Widow or Widower Exemption. A $5,000 exemption is available for qualifying widows and widowers.

Check with the Broward County Property Appraiser for the full list of available exemptions.

How the Homestead Exemption Connects to Your Home Purchase

If you are buying a home in Davie, the homestead exemption should be part of your planning from day one. It affects your monthly payment projections, your long term tax savings, and your overall cost of ownership.

When I work with buyers, I always walk them through the exemption process as part of our closing plan. It is one more way I make sure my clients are set up for success.

If you are exploring the Davie market, my posts on Is it Expensive to Live in Davie, Florida? and The 5 Best Neighborhoods in Davie, FL for Families will give you a complete picture of what to expect.

File Your Homestead Exemption Today

Do not wait. The March 2, 2026 deadline is RIGHT around the corner. This is free money. Free tax protection. And it takes 10 minutes.

If you have questions about the homestead exemption in Davie Florida, or if you need help navigating the process, reach out to me. I am happy to point you in the right direction.

Own your home. Protect your investment. File your exemption.

That is how smart Davie homeowners do it.