(1) Each veteran who is age 65 or older and is partially or totally permanently disabled shall receive a discount from the amount of the ad valorem tax otherwise owed on homestead property that the veteran owns and resides in if:
(a) The disability was combat-related; and
(b) The veteran was honorably discharged upon separation from military service.
(2) The discount shall be in a percentage equal to the percentage of the veteran’s permanent, service-connected disability as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
(3) If the partially or totally and permanently disabled veteran predeceases his or her spouse and if, upon the death of the veteran, the spouse holds the legal or beneficial title to the homestead and permanently resides thereon as specified in s. 196.031, the discount from ad valorem tax that the veteran received carries over to the benefit of the veteran’s spouse until such time as he or she remarries or sells or otherwise disposes of the property. If the spouse sells or otherwise disposes of the property, a discount not to exceed the dollar amount granted from the most recent ad valorem tax roll may be transferred to his or her new residence, as long as it is used as his or her primary residence and he or she does not remarry. An applicant who is qualified to receive a discount under this section and who fails to file an application by March 1 may file an application for the discount and may file a petition pursuant to s. 194.011(3) with the value adjustment board requesting that the discount be granted. Such application and petition shall be subject to the same procedures as for exemptions set forth in s. 196.011(8).
(4) To qualify for the discount granted under this section, an applicant must submit to the county property appraiser by March 1:
(a) An official letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs which states the percentage of the veteran’s service-connected disability and evidence that reasonably identifies the disability as combat-related;
(b) A copy of the veteran’s honorable discharge; and
(c) Proof of age as of January 1 of the year to which the discount will apply.
Any applicant who is qualified to receive a discount under this section and who fails to file an application by March 1 may file an application for the discount and may file, pursuant to s. 194.011(3), a petition with the value adjustment board requesting that the discount be granted. Such application and petition shall be subject to the same procedures as for exemptions set forth in s. 196.011(8).
(5) If the property appraiser denies the request for a discount, the appraiser must notify the applicant in writing, stating the reasons for denial, on or before July 1 of the year for which the application was filed. The applicant may reapply for the discount in a subsequent year using the procedure in this section. All notifications must specify the right to appeal to the value adjustment board and the procedures to follow in obtaining such an appeal under s. 196.193(5).
(6) The property appraiser shall apply the discount by reducing the taxable value before certifying the tax roll to the tax collector.
(a) The property appraiser shall first ascertain all other applicable exemptions, including exemptions provided pursuant to local option, and deduct all other exemptions from the assessed value.
(b) The percentage discount portion of the remaining value which is attributable to service-connected disabilities shall be subtracted to yield the discounted taxable value.
(c) The resulting taxable value shall be included in the certification for use by taxing authorities in setting millage.
(d) The property appraiser shall place the discounted amount on the tax roll when it is extended.
(7) An applicant for the discount under this section may apply for the discount before receiving the necessary documentation from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or its predecessor. Upon receipt of the documentation, the discount shall be granted as of the date of the original application, and the excess taxes paid shall be refunded. Any refund of excess taxes paid shall be limited to those paid during the 4-year period of limitation set forth in s. 197.182(1)(e).
History.—s. 1, ch. 2007-36; s. 20, ch. 2012-193; s. 10, ch. 2013-72; s. 1, ch. 2020-179.
Structure Florida Statutes
Title XIV - Taxation and Finance
196.001 - Property Subject to Taxation.
196.011 - Annual Application Required for Exemption.
196.015 - Permanent Residency; Factual Determination by Property Appraiser.
196.021 - Tax Returns to Show All Exemptions and Claims.
196.031 - Exemption of Homesteads.
196.041 - Extent of Homestead Exemptions.
196.061 - Rental of Homestead to Constitute Abandonment.
196.071 - Homestead Exemptions; Claims by Members of Armed Forces.
196.075 - Additional Homestead Exemption for Persons 65 and Older.
196.082 - Discounts for Disabled Veterans; Surviving Spouse Carryover.
196.091 - Exemption for Disabled Veterans Confined to Wheelchairs.
196.095 - Exemption for a Licensed Child Care Facility Operating in an Enterprise Zone.
196.101 - Exemption for Totally and Permanently Disabled Persons.
196.121 - Homestead Exemptions; Forms.
196.131 - Homestead Exemptions; Claims.
196.141 - Homestead Exemptions; Duty of Property Appraiser.
196.151 - Homestead Exemptions; Approval, Refusal, Hearings.
196.171 - Homestead Exemptions; City Officials.
196.173 - Exemption for Deployed Servicemembers.
196.181 - Exemption of Household Goods and Personal Effects.
196.182 - Exemption of Renewable Energy Source Devices.
196.183 - Exemption for Tangible Personal Property.
196.185 - Exemption of Inventory.
196.192 - Exemptions From Ad Valorem Taxation.
196.193 - Exemption Applications; Review by Property Appraiser.
196.194 - Value Adjustment Board; Notice; Hearings; Appearance Before the Board.
196.195 - Determining Profit or Nonprofit Status of Applicant.
196.1961 - Exemption for Historic Property Used for Certain Commercial or Nonprofit Purposes.
196.1975 - Exemption for Property Used by Nonprofit Homes for the Aged.
196.1976 - Provisions of Ss. 196.197(1) or (2) and 196.1975; Severability.
196.1977 - Exemption for Property Used by Proprietary Continuing Care Facilities.
196.1978 - Affordable Housing Property Exemption.
196.198 - Educational Property Exemption.
196.1983 - Charter School Exemption From Ad Valorem Taxes.
196.1985 - Labor Organization Property Exemption.
196.1986 - Community Centers Exemption.
196.1987 - Biblical History Display Property Exemption.
196.199 - Government Property Exemption.
196.1993 - Certain Agreements With Local Governments for Use of Public Property; Exemption.
196.1995 - Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption.
196.1996 - Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption; Effect of Ch. 94-136.
196.1997 - Ad Valorem Tax Exemptions for Historic Properties.
196.1998 - Additional Ad Valorem Tax Exemptions for Historic Properties Open to the Public.
196.1999 - Space Laboratories and Carriers; Exemption.
196.2001 - Not-for-Profit Sewer and Water Company Property Exemption.
196.2002 - Exemption for S. 501(c)(12) Not-for-Profit Water and Wastewater Systems.
196.202 - Property of Widows, Widowers, Blind Persons, and Persons Totally and Permanently Disabled.
196.24 - Exemption for Disabled Ex-Servicemember or Surviving Spouse; Evidence of Disability.
196.26 - Exemption for Real Property Dedicated in Perpetuity for Conservation Purposes.
196.28 - Cancellation of Delinquent Taxes Upon Lands Used for Road Purposes, Etc.
196.31 - Taxes Against State Properties; Notice.
196.32 - Executive Office of the Governor; Consent Required to Certain Assessments.