Pasco County, Florida • Homestead exemption guide • reviewed September 1, 2026
Pasco County Homestead Exemption: 2026 Rules, Savings, Filing Steps, Deadlines and Local Offices
The Pasco County homestead exemption can reduce taxable value on a Florida home you own and use as your permanent residence.
The application is handled by the Pasco County Property Appraiser, not by the Tax Collector.
The normal current-year deadline is March 1. The home must be your permanent residence on January 1 of the tax year.
For 2026, Florida’s first homestead layer remains $25,000. The additional non-school layer is CPI-adjusted and the Florida Department of Revenue lists the 2026 maximum as $26,411.
Fast answer
Pasco County Homestead Exemption Quick Facts
Use this office for homestead, senior, disability, veteran, portability and exemption-status questions.
Use this office for payments, receipts, delinquent taxes, discounts, installment plans and tax-bill questions.
Applications are accepted year-round, but March 1 is the deadline for current-year filing.
You must own and occupy the home as your permanent residence on January 1 of the tax year.
This applies to all ad valorem property taxes except special assessments.
This CPI-adjusted layer applies to non-school taxes on assessed value above $50,000.
After the first qualifying year, assessed value increases are limited to 3% or CPI, whichever is lower.
Use this when moving a Save Our Homes benefit from a prior Florida homestead to a new Florida homestead.
Normal homestead can be filed online. Trust property, total and permanent disability, disabled-veteran exemptions, separate-family-unit applications and many special benefits should be handled with a Pasco Property Appraiser office.
Local offices
Pasco County Offices, Addresses, Phone Numbers and Map
Pasco County Property Appraiser — Dade City
Best for: homestead filing, exemption status, records, portability, value questions and VAB preparation.
Property Appraiser: Mike Wells
Address: East Pasco Government Center, 14236 6th St., Suite 101, Dade City, FL 33523-3408
Phone: 352-521-4433
Fax: 352-521-4411
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
Pasco County Property Appraiser — Land O’ Lakes
Best for: central Pasco homestead help and document review.
Address: Central Pasco Professional Center, 4111 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Suite 106, Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639-4402
Phone: 813-929-2780
Fax: 813-929-2784
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
Pasco County Property Appraiser — New Port Richey
Best for: west Pasco homestead help and exemption document review.
Address: West Pasco Government Center, 8731 Citizens Drive, Suite 130, New Port Richey, FL 34654-5572
Phone: 727-847-8151
Fax: 727-847-8013
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
Property Appraiser Mailing Address
Use for: written correspondence when a mailed document is accepted by the office.
Pasco County Property Appraiser
P.O. Box 401
Dade City, FL 33526
All offices are closed on legal holidays.
View Property Appraiser locationsPasco County Tax Collector
Best for: property tax bills, payments, receipts, delinquent taxes and installment plans.
Tax Collector: Mike Fasano
Mailing address: Pasco County Tax Collector, P.O. Box 276, Dade City, FL 33526-0276
Main offices: New Port Richey, Gulf Harbors, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel and Dade City
Open Pasco Tax CollectorPasco County Clerk & Comptroller / VAB
Best for: Value Adjustment Board petitions, official records, deeds, plats and recorded-document privacy.
Clerk & Comptroller: Nikki Alvarez-Sowles
VAB address: 14236 6th Street, Suite 201, Dade City, FL 33523
VAB phone: 352-521-4347
Open Pasco VABMap: Pasco Property Appraiser — Dade City Office
East Pasco Government Center
14236 6th St., Suite 101
Dade City, FL 33523-3408
Use this office for in-person homestead filing help, exemption questions and supporting-document review.
Call before visiting if your filing involves a trust, senior income documents, disability proof or veteran documentation.
Content gaps fixed
Details Many Pasco Homestead Guides Miss
The second exemption layer changed for 2026: Florida’s additional non-school homestead layer is CPI-adjusted, and the 2026 maximum is $26,411.
Online filing is not for every situation: Pasco says trust property and several special exemptions should not be filed through the normal online homestead path.
Widow and disability exemptions may not show online: Pasco’s FAQ says some private exemption categories are not reflected on the public website.
Approval timing matters: approved exemptions show on the Notice of Proposed Property Taxes, usually mailed in August.
Disapproval notice matters: Florida law requires the office to contact the owner by certified mail if the application is disapproved.
The seller’s tax bill can mislead buyers: Save Our Homes can uncap after transfer, so a buyer should not rely only on the seller’s capped taxable value.
Special assessments remain: homestead affects ad valorem value-based taxes, not every non-ad valorem assessment such as solid waste, drainage, paving or similar charges.
City and district taxes vary: Dade City, New Port Richey, Port Richey, San Antonio, St. Leo, Zephyrhills, CDDs and MSTUs can change the final bill.
Qualification
Who Qualifies for the Pasco County Homestead Exemption?
You must have a qualifying ownership interest in the Florida property.
The home must be your permanent residence on January 1 of the tax year.
You and your spouse cannot receive a residency-required exemption or tax credit elsewhere.
Documents Pasco may request
Florida driver license or Florida ID: mandatory for online filing.
Social Security number: required for the applicant and spouse when applicable.
Florida vehicle registration: required if vehicles are owned.
Florida voter registration: used when the applicant is a registered U.S. citizen voter.
Permanent Resident Card or PRUCOL support: used for non-citizen applicants when applicable.
Recorded deed or tax bill: used to verify ownership on or before January 1.
Prior Florida homestead address or parcel ID: needed when applying for portability from a prior Florida homestead.
Names and addresses of nonresident owners: needed when not all owners live at the property.
Pasco states that spouse information may be required even if the spouse is not listed as an owner on the property record.
Filing workflow
How to Apply for Pasco County Homestead Exemption
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Confirm the January 1 rule.
You should own and occupy the home as your permanent residence on January 1.
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Search your Pasco property record.
Use the official record search to confirm the parcel, owner name, site address and legal description.
Open Pasco property searchAfter opening: search by parcel, owner name, physical address, official record book/page, subdivision or map. Save the parcel ID before filing. -
Choose the right filing path.
Use online filing only for normal homestead when you meet the online requirements.
Visit or call the office for trusts, total and permanent disability, disabled-veteran exemptions and separate-family-unit filings.
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Open the Pasco homestead page.
Read the eligibility list and continue only if the online requirements fit your situation.
Open Pasco homestead instructionsAfter opening: review the required documents, then use the “I meet the above requirements” link to continue into the online filing system. -
Apply for portability if you had a prior Florida homestead.
Use Form DR-501T with the new homestead application when you may have a Save Our Homes assessment difference to transfer.
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Save your proof.
Keep the receipt, confirmation number, screenshots and document copies.
Use them if the exemption does not appear on the TRIM notice.
File or contact the Property Appraiser immediately. Then review the Pasco Value Adjustment Board deadline and good-cause rules if the current-year exemption is not granted.
Savings math
How Pasco County Homestead Savings Are Calculated
Florida property tax starts with just value. Save Our Homes may reduce it to a lower assessed value.
Exemptions are then subtracted to create taxable values for school and non-school taxes.
2026 example using $300,000 assessed value
School taxable value: $300,000 − $25,000 = $275,000.
Non-school taxable value: $300,000 − $25,000 − $26,411 = $248,589.
Why different? The additional 2026 layer applies to non-school taxes only.
Open simple Pasco homestead savings calculator
School exemption used: $25,000.00
2026 non-school exemption used: $51,411.00
Estimated school savings: $162.50
Estimated non-school savings: $616.93
Total estimated savings: $779.43
Save Our Homes
Save Our Homes Cap and Portability in Pasco County
The cap generally starts after the first year the home receives homestead.
Annual assessed-value increases are limited to 3% or the CPI change, whichever is lower.
You may transfer all or part of a prior Florida SOH benefit to a new Florida homestead.
Portability is not the same as transferring the old homestead exemption. You must file for homestead on the new property.
You must also file the portability form if you want Pasco to request the Save Our Homes assessment difference from the prior Florida homestead.
Florida Save Our Homes and portability guide
Use this to understand the 3% / CPI cap, portability timing and change-of-ownership effects.
Open SOH portability guidePasco forms page
Use this for DR-501T portability, DR-486 VAB petitions, DR-501SC senior income form and related exemption forms.
Open Pasco formsSpecial exemptions
Senior, Disability, Veteran, Military and Disaster Benefits
Income-qualified senior exemption age 65+
Pasco County now has an additional $50,000 senior homestead exemption for qualified residents.
It applies only to County Operating levies, not MSTUs, GO bonds or other taxing authorities.
The 2026 adjusted household income limitation is $38,686.
Apply by March 1. If income documents are not ready, Pasco says to apply and provide income information by June 1.
Widow, widower, blind and disability exemptions
Florida provides additional exemptions for some widows, widowers, blind persons and disabled persons.
Pasco notes that some widow and disability exemption information is not shown on the public website for privacy.
Disabled veteran and first responder benefits
Florida has several veteran and first responder categories.
These can include disabled veteran benefits, combat-related disability discounts and surviving-spouse benefits.
Bring current official proof before visiting the Property Appraiser.
Deployed military exemption
Florida provides an exemption for qualifying service members deployed during the preceding calendar year.
Use the Pasco forms page for the current deployed military application.
Parent / grandparent assessment reduction
Florida allows a reduction for qualifying construction or reconstruction that provides living quarters for a parent or grandparent.
Use Pasco’s form page and eligibility notes before planning the project.
Catastrophic event refund
If storm, flood, sinkhole or other catastrophic damage affected the home, check whether a catastrophic event refund application applies.
Pasco’s forms page lists DR-465 and a separate damage-assessment form.
Pasco senior exemption page
Use this for the Pasco age-65 income-qualified exemption, income limit and document list.
Open senior exemption pageFlorida DOR exemption guides
Use this for statewide senior, disability, veteran, military and family exemption guides.
Open Florida exemption guidesProperty record decoder
How to Read a Pasco Property Record After Filing
Parcel ID: save this number before filing, calling or appealing.
Owner and mailing address: confirm spelling and mailing status before expecting notices.
Physical address: this is provided by city and county growth-management offices.
Just / market value: used by the Property Appraiser to describe fair market value.
Assessed value: can be lower than just value because of Save Our Homes.
Taxable value: assessed value after exemptions. School and non-school taxable values may differ.
Exemption lines: check homestead, additional homestead, portability, senior and other exemptions.
Jurisdiction under legal description: use this to identify the city or county authority for zoning, land use and millage questions.
Pasco says market transactions are typically reflected two to six weeks from closing. New construction, additions, deletions and zoning changes may not be reflected until after January 1 of the next tax year.
Search Pasco property records
The official search supports parcel, name, physical address, official-record book/page, recent sales, maps and subdivision search.
Open Pasco records searchSearch Clerk official records
Use this when a deed, mortgage, lien, plat or recorded document may explain an ownership issue.
Open official records searchTax bill timing
What Happens After the Exemption Is Approved?
August: approved exemptions should be reflected on the Notice of Proposed Property Taxes, also called the TRIM notice.
November: the Tax Collector generally sends property tax bills.
Early-payment discounts: Florida’s standard discount schedule is 4% in November, 3% in December, 2% in January and 1% in February.
March: gross amount is due by March 31 with no discount.
April 1: unpaid property taxes generally become delinquent.
Mortgage escrow: give your mortgage company a copy of your exemption receipt or tax estimate if it asks. Pasco says the Property Appraiser cannot submit that information for you.
Pay Pasco property taxes
Use the Tax Collector site for bills, payments, receipts and delinquent tax status.
Open Pasco Tax CollectorFlorida property tax calendar
Use this to understand the statewide property tax cycle.
Open Florida taxpayer guideAppeal route
Pasco Value Adjustment Board Appeals for Denied Exemptions, Value and Portability
The Value Adjustment Board hears disputes about assessed value, denied exemptions, classifications, deferrals, portability and some ownership-control issues.
The Clerk & Comptroller serves as Clerk to the Pasco County VAB.
File by the deadline printed on the Notice of Proposed Property Taxes.
Florida guidance uses a 30-day appeal window after a denial letter for exemption-related issues.
Many petitions are $50, portability petitions are listed at $15, and some timely homestead denial petitions have no fee.
Pasco’s VAB deadline can change by TRIM mailing date. Use the date printed on your TRIM notice and the current Clerk VAB page before filing.
Pasco Value Adjustment Board
Use this for current deadlines, fees, online filing, forms, mailing rules and VAB contacts.
Open Pasco VAB pageFlorida DOR VAB guide
Use this to understand the statewide VAB process and petition types.
Open Florida VAB guidanceDecision path
What Should You Do Next?
Search the parcel, gather Florida residency documents and file homestead before March 1.
File homestead and DR-501T portability with the Pasco Property Appraiser.
Do not use the normal online-only path. Call or visit the Property Appraiser with trust documents.
Review Pasco’s income-qualified senior exemption and prepare age and income proof.
Check the receipt, property record and TRIM notice. Then contact the Property Appraiser.
Ask whether the value roll or tax bill was updated, then contact the Tax Collector for billing/refund handling.
Review the TRIM notice and file a VAB petition by the deadline if the issue is not resolved.
Check the Clerk’s official records. If the deed itself is wrong, a corrective instrument may be needed.
Avoid delays
Common Pasco County Homestead Mistakes
Using the Tax Collector to apply: homestead applications go to the Property Appraiser.
Assuming online filing covers trusts: Pasco tells trust-property applicants not to submit through the normal online path.
Waiting past March 1: late filing can force VAB review or cause current-year denial.
Ignoring spouse information: Pasco may require spouse details even if the spouse is not an owner.
Forgetting portability: Save Our Homes benefits do not automatically move to the new Pasco home.
Using the seller’s tax bill: the seller’s Save Our Homes cap may disappear after transfer.
Confusing ad valorem and non-ad valorem charges: homestead does not erase special assessments.
Not responding to certified mail: denial or audit notices have deadlines and can affect appeal rights.
Important notice
Independent Information, Tax Caution and Property-Records Notice
This page is independent informational content for Pasco County homeowners.
It is not the official website of Pasco County, the Pasco County Property Appraiser, the Pasco County Tax Collector, the Clerk & Comptroller, the Value Adjustment Board or the Florida Department of Revenue.
It is not legal advice, tax advice, an official tax bill, an appraisal decision, a homestead approval or a VAB decision.
Verify all deadlines, forms, exemption amounts, millage rates, property values and office procedures directly with the responsible government office before acting.
Property records should be used only for property-tax, appraisal, ownership-reference and public-record purposes.
Do not use property-record information for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or any FCRA-regulated purpose.
FAQs
Pasco County Homestead Exemption FAQs
What is the Pasco County homestead exemption deadline?
The normal current-year deadline is March 1. Pasco accepts applications year-round, but March 1 is the deadline to file for the current tax year.
Who handles homestead exemption in Pasco County?
The Pasco County Property Appraiser handles homestead applications, exemption status, portability and assessed-value questions. The Pasco County Tax Collector handles tax bills and payments.
How much is the Florida homestead exemption in Pasco County for 2026?
The first layer is $25,000 for all ad valorem taxes. The 2026 CPI-adjusted additional non-school layer is up to $26,411 on assessed value above $50,000.
Can I apply for Pasco homestead exemption online?
Yes, normal homestead can be filed online through the Pasco County Property Appraiser. Pasco says trust property and several special exemptions should not be filed through the normal online homestead path.
What documents do I need for Pasco homestead exemption?
Common documents include Florida driver license or ID, Social Security number, Florida vehicle registration, voter registration when applicable, deed or tax bill, and prior Florida homestead information if portability applies.
What is Save Our Homes in Pasco County?
Save Our Homes limits annual assessed-value increases after the first qualifying homestead year to 3% or the CPI change, whichever is lower. It does not stop market value from changing.
Can I transfer my old Florida homestead to Pasco County?
The old homestead exemption itself does not transfer, but you may be able to transfer all or part of the Save Our Homes assessment difference by filing DR-501T with your new Pasco homestead application.
Does Pasco County have a senior homestead exemption?
Yes. Pasco has an income-qualified age-65+ additional $50,000 exemption for qualified residents. It applies only to County Operating levies and the 2026 income limit is $38,686.
When will my approved exemption show?
Pasco’s FAQ says approved exemptions will be reflected on the Notice of Proposed Property Taxes mailed in August. Some widow and disability exemptions may not appear on the public website for privacy.
How do I appeal a denied Pasco homestead exemption?
Review the denial notice immediately and use the Pasco Value Adjustment Board process. Some timely homestead denial petitions have no filing fee, but deadlines and delivery rules still matter.
Official resources