January marks the beginning of a new tax year, and for property owners in Citrus County it is an important time to review information, update records, and prepare for key deadlines. The Citrus County Property Appraiser’s Office begins several critical annual processes in January that affect homeowners, businesses, and agricultural landowners throughout the county.

March 1 is the filing deadline for new Homestead Exemption applications. Property owners who purchased a home or changed their permanent residency status during the previous year must file by March 1 in order to receive Homestead Exemption for the current tax year. The exemption provides a significant reduction in taxable value for eligible homeowners. The office encourages new residents and first-time applicants to file early and to contact staff with any questions regarding qualifications or documentation.

In early January the office mails Homestead Exemption renewal postcards to all property owners who currently receive the exemption. The renewal card confirms that the exemption will automatically continue for the new tax year unless the owner no longer qualifies. Property owners who have experienced changes in residency, ownership, or use should complete the appropriate sections on the card and return it to our office.

If you experienced changes in 2025, those changes could impact your property status for 2026. Life events such as getting married or divorced, placing your home in a trust, adding or removing someone from the property record, turning 65 and having a combat related disability, or becoming widowed may alter your exemption status or affect your assessment cap, or there may be additional exemptions you are now eligible for. Property owners with any of these changes are encouraged to contact the Customer Service Department at 352-341-6600 to speak with a representative about how these updates may affect their property.

Another important March 1 deadline applies to property owners seeking an Agricultural Classification. This classification is available for lands that are being used for “bona-fide” commercial agricultural purposes including pasture, crop production, timber operations, and certain commercial agricultural activities. Landowners should ensure their property is in active agricultural use as of January 1 and be prepared to provide documentation. Any questions regarding qualifications or inspections can be directed to the Property Appraiser’s Office.

Organizations that receive wholly exempt or institutional exemptions also receive renewal cards during January. These include charitable, religious, educational, and certain nonprofit entities. Renewal is required to ensure the organization continues to meet statutory requirements and that the property is still being used for an exempt purpose.

Commercial property owners will receive Income and Expense Letters as part of the annual assessment process. The information provided in these letters is used to determine accurate values for income producing properties and to help the office assess market trends. Returning this information promptly supports fair assessments.

January is also the month when local businesses receive their Tangible Personal Property Return forms. These returns must be completed by businesses that own equipment, furniture, tools, machinery, or other taxable business assets. The filing deadline for Tangible Personal Property Returns is April 1, but beginning early gives businesses the time they need to gather documentation. Businesses with assets costing less than 25,000 dollars may qualify for an exemption but must still file at least once to receive it.

Together these January activities form the foundation for the county’s assessment cycle. Property values are established as of January 1, exemptions and classifications are filed or renewed, and ownership changes from the previous year are processed. The Citrus County Property Appraiser’s Office encourages all property owners to review any mail they receive and to contact the office with questions.  If you have any questions, we encourage you to contact our office at 352-341-6600, or chat with us on our website at citruspa.org. Until next time, we hope you had a wonderful holiday and an even better new year.