Homestead Exemption Fraud

Florida laws provide for a number of residence based exemptions from property taxes. When a property owner receives a Homestead exemption for which they are no longer entitled, it is deemed to be non-compliant and abuse of the law.

You may want to review the document which describes circumstances that would not constitute abandonment of a residential homestead.

If you suspect a property in Citrus County may be currently receiving a Homestead exemption, which you believe it should not be receiving, we urge you to report the abuse by calling our Exemption Fraud Hotline.

Homestead Fraud Hotline
Call: (352) 341-8800

You may remain anonymous. If you wish to be contacted, you may leave your name and contact telephone number, but it is not required. If you prefer not to call our office you may complete the “Reporting Exemption Fraud Form” and return it to our office by US Mail with no return address listed; unless you wish to be contacted.

You may also use the online fraud form to send electronically.

NOTICE! Florida Statute 668.6076 “Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity.” In the absence of a specific legislative exemption, investigative records made or received by public agencies are open to public inspection pursuant to F.S. 119. Unless legally protected, all information received by this office is public record.

When you call for exemption fraud, please leave us a message with the following information, if known:

  • The address of the property in question.
  • Name of person(s) occupying or using property.
  • Any additional information you think would help us with the case.

Homestead fraud is a serious issue that affects every taxpayer. Fraudulent homestead exemption shifts the tax burden to every tax payer who pays for our county services, law enforcement, schools, libraries, etc. Abuse of the law shifts the tax burdens onto others.

This office is committed to regulating these exemptions, however, undetected Homestead Fraud or human error can occur.

Thank you for taking the time to report suspected Exemption Fraud.