Polk County · Florida
Polk County homestead exemption
In Polk County, you apply for the homestead exemption with the Polk County Property Appraiser; the deadline is March 1.
- Office
- Polk County Property Appraiser
- Deadline
- March 1
- State exemption
- $50,000 off assessed value
- Renewal
- Renews automaticallyStatewide rule
For 2026 the office asked for applications by March 2, 2026. Late applications were accepted from March 3 until the petition deadline of September 11, 2026.
File online, by mail with the DR-501, or in person. Call (863) 534-4777 with questions. The school levy only gets the first $25,000; the 2025 total homestead exemption was $50,722.
Last verified · Sources
Local homestead amounts in Polk County
| Exemption | Taxing unit | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polk County senior exemption Low-income owners 65+ get up to $50,000 off county taxes. Polk County also adopted the 25-year residency senior exemption for homes with a just value under $250,000; it applies to the Polk County General millage only. | Polk County Board of County Commissioners | $50,000 off assessed value | Source |
| City of Lakeland senior exemption Lakeland grants up to $50,000 to qualifying low-income seniors on city taxes. Auburndale and Winter Haven also grant $50,000. | City of Lakeland | $50,000 off assessed value | Source |
| Davenport and Lake Wales senior exemption Davenport and Lake Wales grant $25,000 to qualifying low-income seniors on city taxes. | City of Davenport; City of Lake Wales | $25,000 off assessed value | Source |
How to check if you already have it
Search your parcel on the Polk County Property Appraiser site and check the exemptions on the record.
Florida rules that apply here
- You own the property and it is your permanent residence (or your dependent's) on January 1
- You are a permanent Florida resident and do not claim residency in another county or state
- The home is not rented out (with limited exceptions such as active-duty servicemembers)
Full Florida homestead guide: amounts, senior and veteran exemptions, late filing and portability.
Sources
- Exemptions · Polk County Property Appraiser
- Do You Qualify for Additional Exemptions? · Polk County Property Appraiser
Last verified
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