Permanent Florida residency required on January 1. Consult your local property appraiser and Chapter 196, Florida Statutes, for details.Added Benefits Available for Qualified Homestead Properties. Amount. In order to qualify for the homestead exemption you must be a bona fide Florida resident. If your property is your permanent residence, or homestead, you may be eligible for a tax exemption. Several types of exemptions are available. Claiming a Florida homestead exemption involves some very specific requirements that must be completed within a specified time frame. Need more information before filling out the forms?