Florida · Hernando County · Local exemptions · Updated Oct 2026
Hernando County, FL property tax exemptions (2026)
The property tax breaks that are set or run locally in Hernando County, on top of Florida’s statewide rules: what each is worth here, who qualifies, where to apply and the deadline.
What is different in Hernando County
Hernando County offers the low-income senior exemption and, according to the Florida DOR, the long-term resident senior exemption on county taxes; Brooksville has neither. Unlike most counties, Hernando requires seniors to submit income documents every year to keep the exemption.
Apply at
Hernando County Property Appraiser
Phone
352-754-4190
Local breaks
Additional Homestead Exemption for Persons 65 and Older (low-income senior exemption), Long-Term Resident Senior Exemption (65+, 25 years in the home)
Additional Homestead Exemption for Persons 65 and Older (low-income senior exemption)
Up to $50,000 off the assessed value for Hernando County taxes (the Property Appraiser does not state the county amount). The City of Brooksville shows no senior exemption in Florida DOR data.
Set by
county (not school or Brooksville city taxes)
Tax year
2026
Who qualifies
You have the homestead exemption, at least one owner living in the home is 65 or older on January 1, and total household adjusted gross income for the prior year is at or below the limit.
Income limit
$38,686 household adjusted gross income (2026 limit, applied to 2025 income of everyone living in the home)
How to apply
File DR-501SC by March 1 (with your homestead application or separately) with proof of age and your Form 1040 with all schedules; non-filers complete a sworn statement of income with SSA-1099s, pension statements and similar.
Long-Term Resident Senior Exemption (65+, 25 years in the home)
Exempts the home's assessed value from Hernando County taxes. The Florida DOR 2026 exemption report shows $15,078,137 of this exemption granted in Hernando County.
Set by
county (per Florida DOR 2026 report; not school taxes)
Tax year
2026
Who qualifies
Meets the senior exemption rules (65+, household income at or below the limit) and has lived in the home as a permanent residence for at least 25 years, and the home's just (market) value was under $250,000 in the first year you apply and qualify.
Income limit
$38,686 household adjusted gross income (2026 limit, applied to 2025 income of everyone living in the home)
How to apply
File Form DR-501 (check the age 65 and older with 25 years permanent residency box) plus Form DR-501SC with the property appraiser, with proof of 25 years of residence and prior-year tax returns and W-2s for the household.
Roughly what an exemption could save you a year: the value it takes off, times your tax rate.
Eligibility finder for Hernando County
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Document checklist for Hernando County
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Questions about property tax exemptions in Hernando County
What property tax exemptions are there in Hernando County?
Hernando County offers the low-income senior exemption and, according to the Florida DOR, the long-term resident senior exemption on county taxes; Brooksville has neither. Unlike most counties, Hernando requires seniors to submit income documents every year to keep the exemption. Local breaks here: Additional Homestead Exemption for Persons 65 and Older (low-income senior exemption); Long-Term Resident Senior Exemption (65+, 25 years in the home).
Where do I apply for a property tax exemption in Hernando County?
Hernando County Property Appraiser Phone: 352-754-4190 Address: 201 Howell Ave., Suite 300, Brooksville, FL 34601. Also: Hernando County Tax Collector, which pays the tax bill.
When is the deadline to apply in Hernando County?
Additional Homestead Exemption for Persons 65 and Older (low-income senior exemption): March 1. Long-Term Resident Senior Exemption (65+, 25 years in the home): March 1.
Is there an income limit for Hernando County’s local breaks?
Additional Homestead Exemption for Persons 65 and Older (low-income senior exemption): $38,686 household adjusted gross income (2026 limit, applied to 2025 income of everyone living in the home) Long-Term Resident Senior Exemption (65+, 25 years in the home): $38,686 household adjusted gross income (2026 limit, applied to 2025 income of everyone living in the home)
Do I have to reapply every year in Hernando County?
Additional Homestead Exemption for Persons 65 and Older (low-income senior exemption): Annual: all income documentation must be submitted each year to keep the exemption; missing the deadline removes it for that year. Long-Term Resident Senior Exemption (65+, 25 years in the home): Not stated by the Property Appraiser; expect the same yearly income documentation as the low-income senior exemption and ask the office.
Median effective tax rate for Hernando County: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2020–2024 5-year estimates, county figures as published by Tax Foundation. The rate is property taxes paid divided by home value.