Fla. Stat. 197.252
Homestead tax deferral


(1)

Any person who is entitled to claim homestead tax exemption under s. 196.031(1) may apply to defer payment of a portion of the combined total of the ad valorem taxes, non-ad valorem assessments, and interest accumulated on a tax certificate. Any applicant who is entitled to receive the homestead tax exemption but has waived it for any reason shall furnish a certificate of eligibility to receive the exemption. Such certificate shall be prepared by the county property appraiser upon request of the taxpayer.

(2)(a)

Approval of an application for homestead tax deferral shall defer the combined total of ad valorem taxes and non-ad valorem assessments:
Which exceeds 5 percent of the applicant’s household income for the prior calendar year if the applicant is younger than 65 years old;
Which exceeds 3 percent of the applicant’s household income for the prior calendar year if the applicant is 65 years old or older; or
In its entirety if the applicant’s household income:
For the previous calendar year is less than $10,000; or
Is less than the designated amount for the additional homestead exemption under s. 196.075 and the applicant is 65 years old or older.
The household income of an applicant who applies for a tax deferral before the end of the calendar year in which the taxes and non-ad valorem assessments are assessed shall be for the current year, adjusted to reflect estimated income for the full calendar year period. The estimate of a full year’s household income shall be made by multiplying the household income received to the date of application by a fraction, the numerator being 365 and the denominator being the number of days expired in the calendar year to the date of application.

(2)(a)

Approval of an application for homestead tax deferral shall defer the combined total of ad valorem taxes and non-ad valorem assessments:Which exceeds 5 percent of the applicant’s household income for the prior calendar year if the applicant is younger than 65 years old;Which exceeds 3 percent of the applicant’s household income for the prior calendar year if the applicant is 65 years old or older; orIn its entirety if the applicant’s household income:
For the previous calendar year is less than $10,000; or
Is less than the designated amount for the additional homestead exemption under s. 196.075 and the applicant is 65 years old or older.
1. Which exceeds 5 percent of the applicant’s household income for the prior calendar year if the applicant is younger than 65 years old;
2. Which exceeds 3 percent of the applicant’s household income for the prior calendar year if the applicant is 65 years old or older; or
3. In its entirety if the applicant’s household income:a. For the previous calendar year is less than $10,000; orb. Is less than the designated amount for the additional homestead exemption under s. 196.075 and the applicant is 65 years old or older.
a. For the previous calendar year is less than $10,000; or
b. Is less than the designated amount for the additional homestead exemption under s. 196.075 and the applicant is 65 years old or older.

(b)

The household income of an applicant who applies for a tax deferral before the end of the calendar year in which the taxes and non-ad valorem assessments are assessed shall be for the current year, adjusted to reflect estimated income for the full calendar year period. The estimate of a full year’s household income shall be made by multiplying the household income received to the date of application by a fraction, the numerator being 365 and the denominator being the number of days expired in the calendar year to the date of application.

(3)

The property appraiser shall promptly notify the tax collector if there is a change in ownership or the homestead exemption has been denied on property that has been granted a tax deferral.

Source: Section 197.252 — Homestead tax deferral, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0197.­252 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

197.102
Definitions
197.103
Deputy tax collectors
197.122
Lien of taxes
197.123
Erroneous returns
197.131
Correction of erroneous assessments
197.146
Uncollectible personal property taxes
197.152
Collection of unpaid or omitted taxes
197.162
Tax discount payment periods
197.172
Interest rate
197.182
Department of Revenue to pass upon and order refunds
197.192
Land not to be divided or plat filed until taxes paid
197.212
Minimum tax bill
197.217
Judicial sale
197.222
Prepayment of estimated tax by installment method
197.243
Definitions relating to homestead property tax deferral
197.252
Homestead tax deferral
197.254
Annual notification to taxpayer
197.262
Deferred payment tax certificates
197.263
Change in ownership or use of property
197.272
Prepayment of deferred taxes
197.282
Distribution of payments
197.292
Construction
197.301
Penalties
197.312
Payment by mortgagee
197.319
Refund of taxes for residential improvements rendered uninhabitable by a catastrophic event
197.322
Delivery of ad valorem tax and non-ad valorem assessment rolls
197.323
Extension of roll during adjustment board hearings
197.332
Duties of tax collectors
197.333
When taxes due
197.343
Tax notices
197.344
Lienholders
197.363
Special assessments and service charges
197.373
Payment of portion of taxes
197.374
Partial payment of current year taxes
197.383
Distribution of taxes
197.402
Advertisement of real or personal property with delinquent taxes
197.403
Proof of publication
197.412
Attachment of tangible personal property in case of removal
197.413
Delinquent personal property taxes
197.414
Record of warrants and levies on tangible personal property
197.416
Continuing duty of the tax collector to collect delinquent tax warrants
197.417
Sale of personal property after seizure
197.432
Sale of tax certificates for unpaid taxes
197.433
Duplicate certificates
197.442
Tax collector not to sell certificates on land on which taxes have been paid
197.443
Cancellation of tax certificates
197.444
Cancellation of tax certificates
197.446
Payment of back taxes as condition precedent to cancellation of tax certificate held by county
197.447
Cancellation of tax liens held by the county on property of the United States and the State of Florida
197.462
Transfer of tax certificates held by individuals
197.472
Redemption of tax certificates
197.473
Disposition of unclaimed redemption moneys
197.482
Expiration of tax certificate
197.492
Errors and insolvencies report
197.502
Application for obtaining tax deed by holder of tax sale certificate
197.512
Notice, form of publication for obtaining tax deed by holder
197.522
Notice to owner when application for tax deed is made
197.532
Fees for mailing additional notices, when application is made by holder
197.542
Sale at public auction
197.552
Tax deeds
197.562
Grantee of tax deed entitled to immediate possession
197.572
Certain easements survive tax sales and deeds
197.573
Survival of restrictions and covenants after tax sale
197.582
Disbursement of proceeds of sale
197.592
County delinquent tax lands
197.593
Corrective county deeds without consideration or further notice
197.602
Reimbursement required in challenges to the validity of a tax deed
197.603
Declaration of legislative findings and intent
197.2301
Payment of taxes prior to certified roll procedure
197.2421
Property tax deferral
197.2423
Application for property tax deferral
197.2425
Appeal of denied tax deferral
197.2524
Tax deferral for recreational and commercial working waterfront properties and affordable rental housing property
197.2526
Eligibility for tax deferral for affordable rental housing property
197.3225
Public records exemption
197.3335
Tax payments when property is subject to adverse possession
197.3631
Non-ad valorem assessments
197.3632
Uniform method for the levy, collection, and enforcement of non-ad valorem assessments
197.3635
Combined notice of ad valorem taxes and non-ad valorem assessments
197.4155
Delinquent personal property taxes
197.4325
Procedure when payment of taxes or tax certificates is dishonored
197.4725
Purchase of county-held tax certificates

Current through Fall 2025

§ 197.252. Homestead tax deferral's source at flsenate​.gov