Additional Homestead Exemption for Seniors
Did you know that Lee and Collier County offer an additional property tax homestead exemption for seniors ages 65 and older who had household income of less than $30,174 during 2018? If this does not apply to you, perhaps you know someone that could benefit from this exemption.
This additional senior homestead exemption is potentially worth up to $25,000 for Lee County homeowners (up to $50,000 for Cape Coral homeowners only). Collier County grants an exemption of up to $50,000 for all qualifying taxpayers.
Below is detailed information on the exemptions available for senior homeowners of Lee and Collier Counties.
Lee County, FL Residents
All primary homeowners of Lee County who are 65 years of age or older as of January 1 and whose annual adjusted gross household income does not exceed the mandated income limitation may qualify for an additional senior homestead exemption of up to $25,000 ($50,000 for Cape Coral residents only).
How does one qualify?
The “household income” (cumulative “adjusted gross Income” or AGI) of all persons living in the home cannot exceed the yearly amount of $30,174 based on the 2018 tax return or income. Income limits are adjusted annually.
Applicants 65 years or older can qualify (only one spouse/owner needs to be 65)
Applications are due by March 1; however, the Lee County Property Appraiser will accept them through early September (25 days from the issuance of TRIM notices). Pages one and two of your tax return must be attached to the application, or your 1099 from SSA if you do not file a return.
The senior homestead exemption application is available on the Lee County Property Appraiser website at www.leepa.org under the exemption information tab on the left side of the page.
The taxpayer must reapply each year, however they do not need to provide their income information. Lee County sends out a post card each year when the new income limitation is determined. The taxpayer has to sign and return it back to the Lee County Property Appraiser by a deadline (this is the reapplication). If they do not receive the card back, their senior’s exemption is not renewed.
Collier County, FL Residents
All primary homeowners of Collier County, who are 65 years of age or older as of January 1 and whose annual adjusted gross household income does not exceed the mandated income limitation may qualify for an additional senior homestead exemption of up to $50,000.
How does one qualify?
The “household income” (cumulative “adjusted gross Income” or AGI) of all persons living in the home cannot exceed the yearly amount of $30,174 based on the 2018 tax return or income. Income limits are adjusted annually.
Only one spouse/owner must be age 65 or older.
Applications are due by March 1; however, the Collier County Property Appraiser will accept them through early September (25 days prior to the issuance of TRIM notices).
Taxpayers need to bring a copy of their 2018 tax return or all documents showing sources of income (if a return is not required to be filed) to the office of the Collier County Property Appraiser and complete the application with a representative’s assistance. There is an additional petition form that must be filed and a filing fee of $15 due if the application is completed after June.
Annual re-application is required in Collier County. If you have already applied for and received this exemption for the prior tax year, the County will mail an application to you in January of each year to re-apply.
