Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption

The $5,000 disabled veteran exemption

Florida Statute 196.24 exempts $5,000 of property value for an ex-servicemember who is a Florida resident, was discharged under honorable conditions, and is disabled 10 percent or more, from wartime service or by misfortune.

The Florida Department of Revenue says this one is not limited to a homestead. It comes off assessed value. It is not a check.

Proof is a certificate or letter from the U.S. government or the VA showing the disability. An unremarried surviving spouse of a qualifying veteran can also claim it.

Total and permanent: full exemption

Florida Statute 196.081 exempts the homestead from property taxes when the veteran was honorably discharged with a service-connected total and permanent disability, and a VA or U.S. government letter certifies it. The veteran has to be a permanent Florida resident on January 1 of the tax year.

The exemption is on the home you own and live in as your homestead. The Department of Revenue describes it as a total exemption from ad valorem taxes.

Buying after January 1 has a rule of its own. If you buy between January 1 and November 1 and then get this exemption on the new home the next year, the law allows a prorated refund of the taxes paid on it for the year you bought. Ask the property appraiser how they handle it.

You can apply before the VA letter arrives. Once it does, the exemption is granted back to the date you applied, and excess taxes are refunded, limited to a 4-year window. The same rule applies to the $5,000 exemption and the 65-and-older discount.

Combat-disabled, 65 and older: the discount

Florida Statute 196.082 gives a discount on the homestead tax bill to a veteran who is 65 or older, partially or totally permanently disabled, honorably discharged, and whose disability is combat-related. The discount percentage equals the VA percentage of permanent, service-connected disability.

The application is Form DR-501DV. By March 1 the statute asks for the VA letter showing your percentage and evidence that the disability is combat-related, a copy of your honorable discharge such as a DD-214, and proof of age as of January 1.

This is a discount on the tax, applied after other exemptions. It is not another flat dollar exemption. Your TRIM notice in the summer shows how it landed on your parcel.

Surviving spouses

Total and permanent exemption: if the veteran dies first and the spouse holds title and lives in the home, the exemption carries over until the spouse remarries or sells. If the spouse sells, an exemption up to the amount on the most recent tax roll can move to a new primary residence, as long as the spouse does not remarry. That is Florida Statute 196.081.

Died on active duty: the same statute fully exempts the homestead of the surviving spouse of a service member who died from service-connected causes on active duty, with a VA or U.S. government letter. It lasts while the spouse holds title, lives there, and does not remarry.

Combat-disabled discount: it carries over to the surviving spouse on the same terms, under Florida Statute 196.082. The $5,000 exemption is also open to an unremarried surviving spouse under Florida Statute 196.24.

When to file

Same calendar as homestead. You must own the home and live in it on January 1, and file with the county property appraiser by March 1. Florida Statute 196.011 sets that deadline. The state form is DR-501, plus DR-501DV for the 65-and-older discount.

Miss March 1 and the statute allows a late file up to 25 days after the TRIM notice is mailed in the summer, if the property appraiser accepts your reason. If the property appraiser says no, you can petition the value adjustment board within that same window.

As of fall 2026, the next filing deadline is March 1, 2027, for the 2027 tax year. If you close and move in before January 1, 2027, you can file for 2027. The steps for the basic exemption are on our Florida homestead exemption page.

Duval County desk

The Duval County Property Appraiser takes filings at 231 E. Forsyth Street, Suite 260, Jacksonville. The exemptions phone is (904) 255-5900. The online system at homestead.coj.net can take a service-connected disability exemption along with a new homestead application.

If you already have homestead and are adding a veteran exemption, Duval says to file in person. For the $5,000 exemption, Duval asks for the VA or U.S. government certificate, a signed request, and proof of Florida residence, with no extra form.

For the 65-and-older discount, Duval says to call (904) 255-5900 for Form DR-501DV. It also suggests the City of Jacksonville Military Affairs and Veterans Services office at City Hall, 117 W. Duval Street, Suite 175, to help check your documents first.

Clay County desk

The Clay County Property Appraiser is at 477 Houston Street, Green Cove Springs. Phone (904) 284-6305. Forms and exemption details are at ccpao.com.

Clay offers the same three veteran benefits and the surviving spouse carryovers. Same January 1 rule and same March 1 deadline. Call before you go and ask what VA letter they want to see.

St. Johns County desk

The St. Johns County Property Appraiser takes homestead and other exemptions through its online portal at sjcpa.gov. Phone (904) 827-5500.

St. Johns lists Form DR-501 and the VA letter for the $5,000 and total and permanent exemptions. For the 65-and-older discount it adds DR-501DV, proof of age, the VA rating decision, a DD-214, and proof the disability is combat-related.

If March 1 falls on a weekend, St. Johns says the deadline is the next business day.

Nassau County desk

The Nassau County Property Appraiser lists veteran exemptions at ncpafl.com. Phone (904) 491-7300.

For the total and permanent exemption, Nassau wants a VA letter that says total and permanent, shows the effective date, and shows an Honorable character of service, or a DD-214. You can apply through their portal. If you already have homestead and are adding a veteran exemption, Nassau says to apply at one of their offices.

For the $5,000 exemption, bring the VA letter with your percentage and decision date. For the 65-and-older discount, Nassau asks for DR-501DV and a DD-214.

Keep going

• Florida homestead exemption
• Property tax in Florida
• Save Our Homes
• Homestead portability in Florida

General information, not tax or legal advice. The county property appraiser decides eligibility and the amount.

Questions about a home and its tax bill? Call (904) 309-0609.