12D-7.001. Applications for Exemptions

(1) As used in Section 196.011, F.S., the term “file” shall mean received in the office of the county property appraiser. However, for applications filed by mail, the date of the postmark is the date of filing.

(2) The property appraiser is not authorized to accept any application that is not filed on or before March 1 of the year for which exemption is claimed except that, when the last day for filing is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, in which case the time for making an application shall be extended until the end of the next business day. The property appraiser shall accept any application timely filed even though the applicant intends or is requested to file supplemental proof or documents.

(3) Property appraisers are permitted, at their option, to grant homestead exemptions upon proper application throughout the year for the succeeding year. In those counties which have not waived the annual application requirement, the taxpayer is required to reapply on the short form as provided in Section 196.011(5), F.S. If the taxpayer received the exemption for the prior year, the property may qualify for the exemption in each succeeding year by renewal application as provided in Section 196.011(6), F.S., or by county waiver of the annual application requirement as provided in Section 196.011(9), F.S.

(4) Each new applicant for an exemption under Section 196.031, 196.081, 196.091, 196.101, 196.102, 196.173, or 196.202, F.S., must provide his or her social security number and the social security number of his or her spouse, if any, in the applicable spaces provided on the application form DR-501, Original Application for Homestead and Related Tax Exemptions (incorporated by reference in Rule 12D-16.002, F.A.C.). Failure to provide such numbers will render the application incomplete. If an applicant omits the required social security numbers and files an otherwise complete application, the property appraiser shall contact that applicant and afford the applicant the opportunity to file a complete application on or before April 1. Failure to file a completed application on or before April 1 shall constitute a waiver of the exemption for that tax year, unless the applicant can demonstrate that failure to timely file a completed application was the result of a postal error or, upon filing a timely petition to the value adjustment board, that the failure was due to extenuating circumstances as provided in Section 196.011, F.S.

(5) In those counties which permit the automatic renewal of homestead exemption, the property appraiser may request a refiling of the application in order to obtain the social security number of the applicant and the social security number of the applicant’s spouse.

Rulemaking Authority 195.027(1), 213.06(1) FS. Law Implemented 192.047, 194.011, 196.011 FS. History–New 10-12-76, Amended 11-10-77, Formerly 12D-7.01, Amended 11-21-91, 12-27-94, 12-31-98, 1-17-18.