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Polk County FL Senior Homestead Exemption

Polk County, FL: Florida homeowners 65 or older with household adjusted gross income of $38,686 or less (2025 income) can get up to $50,000 of additional homestead exemption on the taxes of local governments that adopted it. Apply with form DR-501SC by March 1.

Source: Polk County official page · Florida Department of Revenue – Form DR-501SC · as of the 2026 tax year

Florida Additional Homestead Exemption for Persons 65 and Older (limited income) in Polk County

Who qualifies	Age 65 or older by January 1, with a Florida homestead exemption on the home
Income limit	$38,686 household adjusted gross income (2025 income, used for the 2026 exemption); adjusted every year
Benefit	Up to $50,000 additional exemption, applied to the taxes of the county, city or special district that adopted it
Long-term resident option	Some local governments also adopted an exemption for seniors with 25+ years of residence and limited home value – ask the property appraiser
Form	Florida DR-501SC (Senior Exemption Income Statement), filed with your county property appraiser
Deadline	March 1 for the exemption application; income statements are renewed each year

Official Polk County page: https://www.polkflpa.gov/Exemptions.aspx

Common questions

What is the income limit for the Florida senior exemption in 2026?

$38,686 of household adjusted gross income, based on 2025 income. The Florida Department of Revenue adjusts it every year for inflation.

How much is the senior exemption worth?

Up to $50,000 of extra exemption, but only on the taxes of local governments that chose to adopt it, so the dollar saving depends on your city and county millage.

Do I need the regular homestead exemption first?

Yes. The senior exemption is added on top of an existing Florida homestead exemption.

Do I have to reapply every year?

You must submit the income statement (DR-501SC) each year to keep the senior exemption, by the deadline your property appraiser sets.

Last reviewed October 31, 2026. Figures come from the official sources linked above for the tax year shown. Rules and amounts change each year; confirm your eligibility with the Polk County assessor or tax office before you apply. This page is general information, not tax or legal advice.