Florida · Hillsborough County · Local exemptions · Updated Oct 2026
Hillsborough County, FL property tax exemptions (2026)
The property tax breaks that are set or run locally in Hillsborough 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 Hillsborough County
In Hillsborough County the low-income senior exemption is worth up to $50,000 on Hillsborough County taxes and City of Tampa taxes, but only $25,000 on Temple Terrace city taxes; Plant City has not adopted it. The long-term resident senior exemption is available only from the county and the City of Tampa.
Apply at
Hillsborough County Property Appraiser
Phone
813-272-6100
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), Assessment reduction for living quarters of parents or grandparents ("granny flat")
Additional Homestead Exemption for Persons 65 and Older (low-income senior exemption)
Up to $50,000 off the assessed value for Hillsborough County (listed by the Property Appraiser as Unincorporated Hillsborough County) and City of Tampa taxes; up to $25,000 for Temple Terrace city taxes. Plant City does not offer it.
Set by
county, City of Tampa and Temple Terrace (not school 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
First time: file Form DR-501 (check the age 65 and older with limited income box) plus Form DR-501SC household income statement with the property appraiser, with prior-year federal tax returns and W-2s for everyone in the household.
Renews automatically each year once granted, as long as household income stays within the limit; report by May 1 if it goes over. First-time applications by March 1 (apply even if you do not yet know the household total).
Long-Term Resident Senior Exemption (65+, 25 years in the home)
No tax from the governments that adopted it: Unincorporated Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa. Temple Terrace and Plant City have not adopted it.
Set by
county (unincorporated) and City of Tampa (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-501SC plus the Property Appraiser's Long Term Residency Senior Citizen Affidavit, with proof of 25 consecutive years of permanent residence.
Assessment reduction for living quarters of parents or grandparents ("granny flat")
Reduces the homestead's assessed value by the value added by building or rebuilding living quarters for a parent or grandparent, capped at 20% of the total assessed value of the improved property (s. 193.703, F.S.).
Set by
county (Hillsborough PA lists it)
Tax year
2026
Who qualifies
Homestead owner who built or rebuilt living quarters (completed before January 1) for one or more natural or adoptive parents or grandparents of the owner or spouse, at least one of whom is 62 or older and lives there as a permanent residence.
How to apply
File Form DR-501PGP with the property appraiser by March 1.
Roughly what an exemption could save you a year: the value it takes off, times your tax rate.
Eligibility finder for Hillsborough County
Answer a few questions to see which property tax breaks may fit you. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.
Document checklist for Hillsborough County
Pick the breaks you plan to apply for. You get a checklist of forms, documents, steps and deadlines to print or keep on your phone.
Questions about property tax exemptions in Hillsborough County
What property tax exemptions are there in Hillsborough County?
In Hillsborough County the low-income senior exemption is worth up to $50,000 on Hillsborough County taxes and City of Tampa taxes, but only $25,000 on Temple Terrace city taxes; Plant City has not adopted it. The long-term resident senior exemption is available only from the county and the City of Tampa. 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); Assessment reduction for living quarters of parents or grandparents ("granny flat").
Where do I apply for a property tax exemption in Hillsborough County?
Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Phone: 813-272-6100 Address: 601 E. Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33602. Also: Hillsborough County Tax Collector, which pays the tax bill.
When is the deadline to apply in Hillsborough 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. Assessment reduction for living quarters of parents or grandparents ("granny flat"): March 1.
Is there an income limit for Hillsborough 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) Assessment reduction for living quarters of parents or grandparents ("granny flat"): no income limit listed.
Do I have to reapply every year in Hillsborough County?
Additional Homestead Exemption for Persons 65 and Older (low-income senior exemption): Renews automatically each year once granted, as long as household income stays within the limit; report by May 1 if it goes over. First-time applications by March 1 (apply even if you do not yet know the household total). Long-Term Resident Senior Exemption (65+, 25 years in the home): Same as the senior exemption: report by May 1 if household income goes over the limit. Assessment reduction for living quarters of parents or grandparents ("granny flat"): Annual application unless the county has waived it (s. 193.703(5), F.S.).
Median effective tax rate for Hillsborough 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.