How to apply for Florida Total Property Tax Exemption for 100% Disabled Veterans

Who it's for

A Florida veteran with a service-connected, total and permanent disability pays NO property tax on the homestead — the home is fully exempt. The veteran must have been honorably discharged, and a letter from the VA certifying total and permanent disability is the proof. This is one of the largest dollar benefits available to Florida veterans. A surviving spouse who holds title, lives in the home, and does not remarry keeps the full exemption, and can transfer a fixed dollar amount to a new home after a sale. Apply once through the county property appraiser.

What you'll need

• VA letter certifying service-connected total and permanent disability
• Proof of honorable discharge (DD-214)
• Homestead exemption application (Form DR-501) filed with the county property appraiser by March 1

Where to apply

Step by step

1. Confirm eligibility by checking that you have a VA letter certifying a service-connected total and permanent disability and an honorable discharge. Note: total and permanent disability is not always the same as a 100% rating — some veterans rated below 100% who receive full compensation through individual unemployability may still hold this certification. Your VA letter and the county property appraiser will settle any questions.
2. Gather your required documents: your VA letter certifying service-connected total and permanent disability, your proof of honorable discharge (DD-214), and the homestead exemption application (Form DR-501).
3. Locate your county property appraiser's office — each Florida county has its own office that processes this exemption.
4. Complete Form DR-501, the homestead exemption application, with accurate information about your property and disability status.
5. Submit your completed Form DR-501 along with your VA disability letter and DD-214 to your county property appraiser online. The application must be filed by March 1 to apply for that tax year.
6. If you are a surviving spouse, confirm that you hold title to the home, live in it as your primary residence, and have not remarried — all three conditions are required to keep the full exemption. If you sell and move, a fixed dollar amount of the exemption may transfer to a new home.

What to expect: After submitting your application, the county property appraiser will review your Form DR-501, VA disability letter, and DD-214. Processing times vary, so contact your county property appraiser's office directly for an estimate. If approved, your homestead will be fully exempt from property taxes. This is a one-time application — you do not need to renew each year as long as you remain in the same home. You will only need to re-file if you move to a new homestead. Surviving spouses who continue to meet the eligibility conditions — holding title, living in the home, and not remarrying — retain the full exemption without reapplying.

Renewals

one-time application; re-file only after moving