Palm Beach County FL Homestead Exemption: Rules & Savings
The Palm Beach County homestead exemption can reduce an eligible homeowner’s taxable property value and establish Florida’s valuable Save Our Homes assessment protection. This guide explains the 2026 exemption amount, eligibility, filing, portability, additional exemptions and official Palm Beach County resources.
Palm Beach County Homestead Exemption: Quick Answer
If you owned qualifying residential property in Palm Beach County on January 1 and made it your permanent Florida residence, you may qualify for Florida’s homestead property-tax benefits.
This does not mean a homeowner receives $51,411 in cash savings. Homestead exemption reduces taxable assessed value. The actual annual tax reduction depends on the home’s assessed value, local millage rates and the taxing authorities applying each exemption.
How Much Can Palm Beach County Homestead Save?
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser states that homestead exemption can generally save an eligible homeowner roughly $750 to $1,000 per year, although actual savings can be higher or lower depending on the property’s tax rates.
First exemption
Up to $25,000 can reduce taxable value for applicable school and non-school property taxes.
Additional exemption
For 2026, up to $26,411 may apply to qualifying assessed value for non-school taxes.
2026 Palm Beach County Homestead Exemption Amount
| Benefit | 2026 maximum | Taxes affected | Key rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Homestead Exemption | $25,000 | School and non-school | Applied within the first $50,000 of assessed value. |
| Additional Homestead Exemption | $26,411 | Non-school only | Applied to qualifying assessed value above $50,000. |
| Maximum 2026 combined exemption value | $51,411 | Different taxable values may result | Does not represent $51,411 of cash savings. |
Who Qualifies in Palm Beach County?
Homestead eligibility is based primarily on ownership and permanent residency as of January 1 of the tax year.
Hold qualifying title
You generally must have legal title or qualifying beneficial title to the Palm Beach County property.
Permanent Florida residence
The property must genuinely be your permanent residence or the permanent residence of a qualifying dependent.
Qualify on January 1
Ownership and permanent residence status are generally measured as of January 1 for that tax year.
Palm Beach County also checks for conflicting residency benefits
PBCPAO states that applicants should not be receiving another residency-based property-tax benefit elsewhere, such as another homestead-style exemption, STAR benefit, rollback or similar abatement.
Documents & Information to Prepare
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser identifies several forms of documentation that can be used when establishing residency and homestead eligibility.
- Social Security numbers for owners applying and their spouses as requested by the official application.
- Valid Florida driver’s license or Florida identification card.
- Florida vehicle registration.
- Florida voter registration showing the homestead address.
- Declaration of Domicile when applicable.
- Federal income-tax return where requested as residency evidence.
- Utility bills for the property when used to establish residence.
- Permanent-resident documentation when the applicant is not a U.S. citizen.
How to Apply for Palm Beach County Homestead Exemption
PBCPAO offers online, in-person and mail filing options.
Search your Palm Beach County property
Confirm the parcel, ownership record and property address through the official PBCPAO property-search system.
Confirm January 1 eligibility
Make sure you held qualifying title and made the residence your permanent Florida home by the applicable January 1.
Gather residency information
Have your Florida identification and other requested residency documents available before starting the application.
E-file or use a service center
PBCPAO accepts online filing and provides five service centers throughout Palm Beach County.
Add portability if you moved
If you previously had a Florida homestead with accumulated Save Our Homes benefits, request portability at the same time.
Save your filing confirmation
Retain electronic confirmation, mailed-document tracking and copies of anything submitted.
2026 Filing Deadline
Florida’s normal statutory filing date is March 1. Because March 1, 2026 fell on a Sunday, Palm Beach County’s 2026 filing activity continued through Monday, March 2.
Future applicants should not assume the deadline will always be March 2. March 1 remains the key Florida statutory date unless the applicable calendar or official instructions provide otherwise.
Missed the March Deadline? A Limited Late-Filing Route Exists
Missing the regular filing deadline does not mean every otherwise qualified applicant should simply wait until the following year.
If the Property Appraiser does not grant the exemption, the applicant can potentially petition the Value Adjustment Board within the applicable statutory filing period.
Because the late-filing procedure is fact-specific and deadlines are strict, contact Exemption Services immediately rather than waiting until September 14.
Palm Beach County Homestead Savings Calculator
Enter your property’s assessed value and approximate school and non-school millage rates to estimate the tax reduction created by the 2026 homestead exemption itself.
Educational estimate only. Actual tax savings depend on the taxing authorities applicable to the parcel, millage rates, assessed value, exemptions, Save Our Homes treatment and other factors. Non-ad valorem assessments are not included.
Save Our Homes: The Long-Term Tax Protection
Once an eligible Palm Beach County property establishes a Florida homestead base, the Save Our Homes assessment limitation generally controls how quickly the property’s assessed value can rise from one year to the next.
Market / just value
PBCPAO’s estimate of the property’s value under Florida assessment law. It is not capped by Save Our Homes.
Assessed value
The value after applicable assessment limitations such as Save Our Homes have been considered.
The difference between market value and the lower homestead assessed value is commonly called the Save Our Homes assessment difference or cap savings.
Moving to Palm Beach County? Check Portability
Florida’s portability rules can allow an eligible homeowner to transfer all or part of the accumulated Save Our Homes assessment difference from a prior Florida homestead to a new qualifying Florida homestead.
- Up to $500,000 of assessment difference may potentially be portable.
- The prior property must have qualified for the applicable homestead and Save Our Homes benefit.
- You must establish the new residence within Florida’s statutory portability window.
- PBCPAO states that the new residence generally must be established on or before January 1 of the third year after abandoning the previous homestead.
- Portability should be requested when applying for homestead on the new property.
2026 Limited-Income Senior Exemption
Palm Beach County residents age 65 or older who already qualify for homestead exemption may also qualify for an additional limited-income senior benefit.
Minimum age
Applicant must meet the age requirement for the applicable senior exemption.
2026 income threshold
PBCPAO lists a household adjusted gross income limit of $38,686, based on prior-year income.
Homestead required
The qualifying property must already receive the homestead exemption.
Palm Beach County benefit
Palm Beach County currently provides a $25,000 limited-income senior exemption for qualifying county taxes.
Selected Palm Beach County Senior Exemption Amounts
For qualifying limited-income seniors in 2026, PBCPAO lists the following additional exemptions for county or municipal taxes.
| Taxing authority | Additional exemption |
|---|---|
| Palm Beach County | $25,000 |
| Boynton Beach | $25,000 |
| Delray Beach | $25,000 |
| Greenacres | $25,000 |
| Haverhill | $50,000 |
| Juno Beach | $50,000 |
| Jupiter | $50,000 |
| Lake Worth Beach | $25,000 |
| North Palm Beach | $25,000 |
| Palm Beach Gardens | $25,000 |
| Riviera Beach | $50,000 |
| Royal Palm Beach | $5,000 |
| Wellington | $50,000 |
| West Palm Beach | $25,000 |
This table highlights selected municipalities rather than replacing PBCPAO’s full current list. Check the official senior exemption page before calculating an exact local benefit.
Palm Beach County’s “Super Senior” Benefit
Palm Beach County has an additional local benefit that is easy to miss: PBCPAO identifies a Super Senior Citizen Exemption in Boynton Beach and Delray Beach.
The Super Senior benefit affects the applicable municipal levy rather than every component of the property-tax bill.
Other Palm Beach County Property-Tax Exemptions
Veterans & military
Florida offers several exemptions or tax discounts for qualifying disabled veterans, surviving spouses and certain active-duty military members.
Disability
Additional benefits may apply to qualifying persons with certain permanent disabilities, blindness, quadriplegia or other statutory conditions.
Widow / widower
Florida law provides a separate exemption for qualifying widows and widowers.
Granny-flat exemption
A property may qualify for special assessment treatment for certain living quarters constructed for parents or grandparents, subject to Florida rules.
Property Held in a Trust
Palm Beach County has a useful trust-specific procedure that many generic homestead guides miss.
PBCPAO lists pa-trust@pbcpao.gov for Certificate of Trust submissions and questions.
Buying a Home or Changing the Deed Can Change the Tax Bill
A seller’s current Palm Beach County tax bill can be misleading for a buyer because it may reflect years of accumulated Save Our Homes protection.
A new owner who qualifies must establish his or her own homestead exemption and may separately qualify to transfer a portability benefit from another Florida homestead.
Renting a Homesteaded Palm Beach County Property
Rental activity can affect permanent-residence status and should not be treated casually.
The 2026 statute includes a rule concerning rental for more than 30 days per calendar year for two consecutive years. The result depends on the facts and the owner’s occupancy.
If converting a Palm Beach County primary residence into a seasonal, annual or vacation rental, contact PBCPAO before assuming the exemption and Save Our Homes benefit will continue unchanged.
Do You Have to Reapply Every Year?
Generally, no. PBCPAO renews a qualifying homestead exemption annually as long as the homeowner continues to satisfy the requirements.
Palm Beach County says qualifying owners receive a homestead exemption receipt card after annual renewal.
Why Your Property-Tax Bill Can Still Increase
Homestead exemption and Save Our Homes are valuable protections, but neither guarantees that your final Palm Beach County tax bill will decrease every year.
- Assessed value can still increase within the SOH limitation.
- Taxing authorities can change millage rates.
- Non-ad valorem assessments are not removed by the basic homestead exemption.
- New construction can affect the assessed value calculation.
- Some exemptions apply only to particular county or municipal levies.
- School taxable value can differ from non-school taxable value.
Assessment, Exemption or Portability Dispute
A Palm Beach County property owner who disagrees with an assessment or certain Property Appraiser decisions can first request an informal review.
If the matter remains unresolved, the owner may have the right to file a petition with Palm Beach County’s Value Adjustment Board.
2026 Florida Amendment 3 Could Change Homestead Savings
Current 2026 law remains in effect
Florida Amendment 3 is scheduled for the November 3, 2026 General Election. It requires approval by at least 60% of voters.
If approved, the proposal would increase the homestead exemption for non-school taxes to as much as $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, with inflation adjustments beginning afterward under the proposal.
The existing $25,000 exemption applicable to school taxes would remain under the proposal.
Amendment 3 would also reduce the assessment-growth limitation for certain non-homestead properties from 10% to 5%.
Different rules would apply depending on when a person establishes Florida residency.
These changes are not current 2026 law.
Open PBCPAO’s Amendment 3 calculator and explanation →Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Service Centers
PBCPAO lists five service locations across the county. Published office hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM, subject to holidays and special closures.
Downtown Service Center
County Governmental Center
Exemption Services – 1st Floor
301 North Olive Avenue
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: 561-355-2866
North County Service Center
3188 PGA Boulevard, 2nd Floor
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Phone: 561-624-6521
Midwestern Service Center
Mayor Fred Pinto Midwestern Community Building
200 Civic Center Way, Suite 200
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411
Phone: 561-784-1220
Exemption Services: 561-355-2866
Exemption email: myexemption@pbcpao.gov
Mailing & Exemption Contact Information
Exemption Services
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser
Exemption Services – 1st Floor
301 N. Olive Avenue
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Contact
Phone:
561-355-2866
Email:
myexemption@pbcpao.gov
Official Palm Beach County Homestead Resources
Use primary government sources for applications, eligibility decisions, tax calculations and statutory deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Palm Beach County homestead exemption in 2026?
Qualifying homeowners can receive up to $51,411 of homestead exemption value for 2026: up to $25,000 applicable to school and non-school levies plus an inflation-adjusted additional exemption of up to $26,411 for qualifying non-school taxable value.
What was the Palm Beach County filing deadline for 2026?
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser announced Monday, March 2, 2026 as the 2026 deadline. Florida’s normal statutory date is March 1.
What is the Save Our Homes cap in 2026?
The 2026 Save Our Homes assessment limitation is 2.7%. The annual maximum is the lower of 3% or the applicable CPI change.
Can I apply for Palm Beach County homestead online?
Yes. PBCPAO offers an official Homestead Exemption E File option. Filing is also available through the county’s service centers and applicable mail procedure.
Do I need to reapply every year?
Generally no. Palm Beach County renews qualifying homestead exemptions annually while eligibility continues. Homeowners must report changes that could affect qualification.
Can I transfer my old Florida homestead exemption to Palm Beach County?
The exemption itself does not transfer. You must apply for homestead on the new property. However, eligible owners may be able to transfer up to $500,000 of accumulated Save Our Homes assessment difference through portability.
What is the 2026 senior exemption income limit?
PBCPAO lists a $38,686 household adjusted gross income limit for the 2026 limited-income senior exemption, based on the prior year’s household income.
Does Palm Beach County give seniors an additional exemption?
Yes. Qualifying limited-income seniors can receive a $25,000 Palm Beach County exemption for the applicable county levy. Numerous municipalities also provide their own additional senior exemptions.
What is the Super Senior exemption?
PBCPAO identifies enhanced municipal senior benefits in Boynton Beach and Delray Beach for certain long-term, limited-income senior homeowners who meet the statutory requirements.
I missed March 2. Can I still file for 2026?
Florida law provides a limited late-filing route for otherwise qualified applicants who can demonstrate circumstances warranting late filing. Act immediately. PBCPAO lists September 14, 2026 as the 2026 Value Adjustment Board petition deadline associated with the current TRIM cycle.
Does homestead reduce non-ad valorem assessments?
Generally no. Homestead reduces taxable value used for qualifying ad valorem property taxes. Charges classified as non-ad valorem assessments operate separately.
Can renting my property affect the homestead exemption?
Yes. Florida law contains rules under which rental of all or substantially all of a homesteaded dwelling may constitute abandonment. The timing, duration and homeowner’s occupancy matter.
Will Florida Amendment 3 increase my exemption in 2027?
Not unless voters approve it. Amendment 3 is scheduled for the November 3, 2026 General Election and requires at least 60% voter approval. If approved, its proposed larger non-school homestead exemption would begin in 2027 under the amendment’s eligibility rules.