Homestead Exemption was created as a benefit for homeowners who live in Florida and make it their permanent and legal residence. Homestead fraud could be perpetrated by those who:

• Rent their property
• Receive a residency-based benefit based on another property, either in Florida or another state
• Do not notify the Property Appraiser’s Office if the owner is deceased so that the benefit can be removed

If you know of anyone who is claiming a homestead exemption that they are legally not entitled to, please make a report to our office. It is extremely helpful and time saving to an investigation if we speak to you personally, but you may remain anonymous, if you prefer.

Please note that the status of a property on January 1 each year is used to determine the property’s value and exemption status for the entire year. That means if a property owner has homestead exemption and sells their property, their exemption may remain on the property for the entire calendar year, and will be removed as of January 1 of the next year. Although there will still be an exemption on the property after the sale, it is not the new owner’s exemption.

NOTICE! Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity or complete this form. Instead, contact this office by phone at 561-355-2866 or in writing to: Exemption Compliance Team, Palm Beach County Property Appraiser, 301 N. Olive Avenue, 1st Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.