To qualify for the homeowners' exemption, the home must have been the principal residence of the owner as of January 1 of that tax year. Filing for Florida's Homestead Exemption can offer you tax savings when you own real estate in Florida.For more information, please call the Exemption Unit. During its early years, Santa Clara County gained a worldwide reputation as an important agricultural region, known as the "Valley of Heart's Delight. Florida voters passed Amendment 6, which extends the homestead property tax deduction to the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran. There are several templates available online through your County Clerks website that will allow you to fill out, print and file the deed on your own.