The Homestead Exemption reduces the taxable portion of your property assessment if you own your primary residence in Philadelphia. Applications for the homestead exemption may be made on taxservices.phila.Apply for the Philadelphia Homestead Real Estate Tax Exemption to save money on your real estate taxes. The final deadline to apply for the Homestead Exemption is December 1 of each year. Located north of Philadelphia, Montgomery County has property tax rates near the state average, but much higher than those in the City of Brotherly Love. Do Homestead Exemptions Only Apply to a Primary Residence? Some states, like Florida, Iowa, Kansas and Texas, provide unlimited financial protection against unsecured creditors for the home. To qualify for a homestead exemption, the home must be the owner's permanent residence. "The final deadline to apply for the Homestead Exemption is December 1 of each year.