Congrats! You’re a Homeowner.  Not only do you get to swell with pride every time you pull into the driveway, being a homeowner also allows you to realize some serious tax savings via homestead exemption.

In order to qualify for a homestead exemption, the owner must be the owner of record and occupy the property as his or her principal residence on or before January 1st of the year following their purchase. Ordinarily, the homestead exemption will then remain in place until there is another chance in ownership. The method by which a homeowner may file varies from county to county. Historically, a homeowner had to file in person, but now many counties have established procedures on their websites for filing online, or for accessing the forms and obtaining the different options available for filing.

Information you MAY need to include with your application: a copy of your recorded Warranty Deed or a copy of your Settlement Statement, along with your photo I.D. You may also be asked for your automobile registration or tag numbers as proof of residency.