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March 1 is the deadline for Miami-Dade homeowners to file for their Homestead Exemption and any other property tax exemptions they may qualify for. If you purchased a home in 2025 and made it your primary residence, filing can reduce your property’s taxable value by up to $50,000 and help protect you from steep assessment increases under Florida’s Save Our Homes protections.
Property taxes remain one of the biggest drivers of Florida’s affordability crisis. I hear it constantly from residents across our community. Seniors on fixed incomes. Young families who stretched to buy their first home. Parents trying to stay in the home where they built their lives. They are doing everything right, yet rising assessments continue to put pressure on their stability.
The Homestead Exemption is one of the most important protections available to homeowners. It lowers taxable value and limits how much the assessed value of a primary residence can increase each year, bringing predictability and protection against spikes that threaten families’ ability to remain in their homes.
Homeowners should also explore additional exemptions that may apply to their situation, including those for seniors who meet income limits, residents with qualifying disabilities, veterans and certain surviving spouses, deployed active duty military members, widowed homeowners, and families who have added qualifying living quarters for an elderly relative. Many homeowners qualify for more than one benefit, but these protections are not automatic. You must apply through the Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser, Tomas Regalado.
Homeowners who moved to a new primary residence from another Florida homesteaded property should also review whether they qualify for portability. Florida law allows eligible homeowners to transfer up to $500,000 of their prior Save Our Homes benefit to a new homestead. This carries forward the difference between market value and capped assessed value and can significantly reduce a new tax bill, saving thousands of dollars over time. Homeowners who moved should apply for portability to ensure they receive this benefit.
Taking the time to review your eligibility now can mean real savings and long-term protection. File online, by mail, or in person, but act before March 1.
At the County level, I remain focused on protecting homeowners’ tax dollars through responsible spending, efficiency, and continued advocacy for meaningful property tax relief. Residents are not an open checkbook for government.
If you are unsure whether you qualify, do not wait. Missing the deadline could cost you thousands of dollars in savings meant to help keep housing affordable.
For more information, visit miamidade.gov/pa or call the Property Appraiser’s Office at (305) 375-4712. You can also call or text my office at (305) 267-6377, and we will help connect you to the right resources.
Deadlines matter. This one helps protect your home.
