Permanent Florida residency required on January 1. How to Declare Your Property as a Homestead.In order to qualify for homestead exemption: You must be a Florida resident. Meet the March 1 filing deadline. Filing for Florida's Homestead Exemption can offer you tax savings when you own real estate in Florida. The Homestead Exemption saves property owners thousands of dollars each year. To apply, a homestead exemption application (DTE 105A) must be filed with the Auditor after January 1 and on or before December 31 in the year of application. Homestead Exemption Application — Our attorneys will assist you in completing and filing the homestead exemption application accurately and efficiently. Online access to maps, real estate data, tax information, and appraisal data. Fritz Kaegi, Cook County Assessor.