Pinellas County, FL: homestead & property-tax exemptions

How to claim property-tax exemptions in Pinellas County (Clearwater area): who qualifies, the deadline, where to file, documents, re-filing and appeals.

Last checked 2026-10-24 · 13 official sources

Exemptions available

• Homestead: the Property Appraiser lists a total homestead exemption of $51,411 off assessed value. The first $25,000 applies to all taxes; the additional $26,411 applies to assessed value above $50,000 and doesn't apply to school taxes. Homestead also starts the Save Our Homes cap: yearly assessed-value increases are limited to 3% or the change in CPI, whichever is less (2.7% for 2026), starting the year after homestead is granted. ^[1][2]
• Low-income senior exemption (65+ by January 1, homestead, 2026 household income limit $38,686 based on 2025 income): offered in 23 of 24 municipalities (all but Belleair Shore) and unincorporated Pinellas. Amounts vary by taxing district: $50,000 in unincorporated Pinellas, Belleair, Dunedin, Indian Rocks Beach, Madeira Beach, North Redington Beach, Oldsmar, Safety Harbor and South Pasadena; $25,000 in Belleair Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Clearwater, Gulfport, Indian Shores, Kenneth City, Largo, Pinellas Park, Redington Beach, St. Pete Beach, Seminole, Tarpon Springs and Treasure Island; $20,000 in Redington Shores; $15,000 in St. Petersburg. ^[3]
• Long-term resident senior exemption (65+, at least 25 years in the home, just value under $250,000, same income limit): exempts the assessed value from the taxes of districts that adopted it. So far that's North Redington Beach, Safety Harbor and St. Petersburg. It doesn't apply to school taxes or independent districts. ^[3]
• $5,000 widow/widower exemption (ends if you remarry; divorced before the death doesn't qualify), $5,000 blind exemption and $5,000 totally-and-permanently-disabled exemption. Homestead isn't required for these three. There's also a total exemption for quadriplegics (no income limit) and for paraplegic, hemiplegic or other totally and permanently disabled owners who use a wheelchair or are legally blind, if prior-year household gross income is under the state limit. ^[3]
• Veterans: $5,000 exemption for honorably discharged veterans with a 10%+ service-connected disability (also for the unremarried surviving spouse); total homestead exemption for a service-connected total and permanent disability; total exemption for veterans with a service-connected total disability who use a wheelchair and get specially adapted housing assistance; and, for veterans 65+ whose disability is partly combat-related, a tax discount equal to the disability percentage. Veterans who apply before their VA rating comes through can get refunds of excess taxes for up to 4 years. ^[3]
• Also offered: total exemption for first responders totally and permanently disabled in the line of duty; total exemption for surviving spouses of veterans who died on active duty or first responders who died in the line of duty; deployed military exemption (apply each year by March 1); a 'granny flat' assessment reduction for new living quarters for a parent or grandparent 62+ (unincorporated Pinellas only, since 2025); and portability, which moves up to $500,000 of Save Our Homes savings to a new Florida homestead within 3 tax years (separate application). ^[3][4]

Statewide exemption details: Florida guide.

Who qualifies

• You must hold legal or beneficial title, be a bona fide Florida resident, and live in the home as your permanent residence on January 1 of the tax year. You'll be denied if you have a residency-based exemption on another property in Florida or another state. ^[1][5]

Deadline

• Timely filing deadline: March 1 for homestead, the senior exemptions, other personal exemptions and portability. For the low-income senior exemption, the application is due March 1 but income information can follow by June 1. ^[1][3][4]
• Late filing: if the TRIM notice mailed in August shows you missed an exemption, you can still apply then, and you have until 25 days after the TRIM mailing to petition the Value Adjustment Board. You'll need to show extenuating circumstances beyond your control kept you from filing by March 1, and late-file appeals carry a filing fee. ^[6]
• Paying the bill: the Pinellas County Tax Collector mails tax notices by November 1. Discounts apply for paying November through February; the March amount has no discount. Taxes must be paid by March 31 and are delinquent April 1. There's also a quarterly installment plan (about 3.5% total discount; the application window for 2027 taxes is November 1, 2026-April 30, 2027). Questions: 727-464-7777. ^[7]

Where and how to file

• Online through the Property Appraiser's eFile application, which also covers widow/widower, blind, disability and service-connected disability exemptions. Allow 30 days after closing for the deed to show in your name. New Florida residents who don't have a Florida license yet can start the application in person. ^[5]
• Or in person at any of four Property Appraiser offices: County Courthouse, 315 Court St., 2nd Floor, Clearwater 33756; North County, Northside Square, 29269 US Hwy 19 N, Clearwater 33761; Mid County (with the Tax Collector), 13025 Starkey Rd, Largo 33773; South County, 2500 34th St. N, 2nd Floor, St. Petersburg 33713. Phone (727) 464-3207, fax (727) 464-3448; hours 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. ^[8][9]
• The senior exemptions use their own application (plus an income worksheet); the forms are linked from the Personal Exemptions page. ^[3]

Documents needed

• For all owners and spouses: Florida driver license and Florida vehicle registration showing the home's address; Pinellas voter information card if registered; a Permanent Resident Card if applicable; and Social Security numbers for all owners and spouses (required even if a spouse isn't on the deed). If you still own a previous home, proof that it isn't getting a residency-based tax benefit. ^[1][5]
• Seniors: proof of age plus a 2025 Form 1040 or, if you don't file taxes, documents showing total 2025 income (bank statements, pension summaries). Widow/widower: a death certificate or obituary. Disability: a letter from a Florida physician or the SSA (two Florida physicians or the VA for the income-based total exemption, with Form DR-501A and DR-416). Veterans: a VA or U.S. government letter; for the 65+ combat discount, the VA rating decision and DD-214. ^[3][1]

Do you need to re-file?

• Homestead renews automatically: if you still qualify, a receipt is mailed in early January. Tell the Property Appraiser if you no longer qualify or want to add exemptions. Exemptions held by a prior owner are removed on December 31, so new buyers must file their own application by March 1. ^[1]
• The low-income senior exemption auto-renews for most seniors, but the office audits a random sample of about 2,000 each year, and those owners must reapply. The deployed military exemption must be applied for every year. ^[3]

Appeal deadline

• For 2026, the Pinellas County Value Adjustment Board petition deadline was Friday, September 11, 2026, 5 p.m. (it has passed). Mailed petitions must be received, not postmarked, by the deadline. Late petitions need a written good-cause reason, can't be filed online, and are reviewed by VAB counsel. ^[10]
• File online through the Clerk's Just Appraised system ($50 non-refundable fee plus a 3.5% online convenience fee) or by mail/drop-off at Board Records, 315 Court St., 5th Floor, Clearwater 33756 (8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday). Drop-off only at the St. Petersburg branch (545 1st Ave. N) and North County branch (3165 McMullen Booth Rd., Fessler Center Bldg. B), 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. No fee for appealing denial of a timely filed homestead application. VAB Clerk: (727) 464-3458, [email protected]. ^[10]
• You can talk to the Property Appraiser first (not required). Your area appraiser's contact is printed on the TRIM notice. After the VAB, or instead of it, you can file suit in circuit court. ^[9][11]
• Florida rule: VAB petitions on value are due within 25 days after the TRIM notice is mailed. Exemption denials: within 30 days of the denial notice. ^[12]

Population: 965,870 (July 1, 2024 estimate) ^[13]

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