The Homestead Exemption reduces the taxable portion of your property assessment if you own your primary residence in Philadelphia. The Taxpayer Relief Act provides for property tax reduction allocations to be distributed to school districts through a "homestead or farmstead exclusion."A homestead exemption is a legal provision that shields a home from some creditors following the death of a homeowner's spouse or the declaration of bankruptcy. There are no income requirements, and people who owe back taxes or mortgage payments can still apply. A homestead exception allows people to shield a certain amount of equity in their home from the bankruptcy process. Apply for the Philadelphia Homestead Real Estate Tax Exemption to save money on your real estate taxes. A Homestead Exemption means that if you own your home, you can qualify for a reduction of your home's tax assessment, and therefore reduce your tax bill. The new law established a threefold homestead acquisition process: file an application, improve the land, and file for deed of title.