Permanent Florida residency required on January 1. Exemption applications must be filed with your local assessor's office.See our Municipal Profiles for your local assessor's mailing address. You should complete all required forms and applica ons for the exemp on and file them with your county property appraiser. In order to apply for homestead exemption, the following documents are needed: Recorded deed or tax bill in your name. To qualify for Homestead Exemption (F. We encourage all applicants to file for homestead using our easy online e-File system. There is no easier way to file. People also make the change in order to qualify for the homestead exemption and keep their Florida real estate taxes down. Claiming a Florida homestead exemption involves some very specific requirements that must be completed within a specified time frame.