Military Officers Association
of America
Cape Canaveral Chapter
PO Box 254186, Patrick AFB, FL 32925-4186
VIERA - BREVARD VETERAN SERVICE TEAM NEWS FLASH- Disabled Veteran Home Owners with a 10% or greater service connected disability are eligible for a property tax break. This tax break is a $5,000 reduction in the taxable value of your home, worth an average of $100 in annual savings. Disabled veterans must apply BEFORE 1 MARCH 2004 to the Property Tax Appraiser Office. A letter from the Brevard Veteran Services Team is required to obtain this reduction. Contact the Veteran Service Team at (321) 633-2012 for information on receiving this letter. Veterans calling from Southern Brevard County can call toll free using 952-4700, ext 2012.
TALLAHASSEE – State agencies are working with Florida veterans’ associations and property tax administrators to implement a new state law that will increase the exemption from property taxes for veterans with service-connected disabilities from $500 to $5,000.
The Florida Department of Revenue and the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs are seeking assistance from veterans’ organizations in urging disabled veterans to make sure that they take advantage of the additional tax savings. The increased exemption applies only to homestead property (the home that the veteran lives in). The exemption is available to any veteran who lives in Florida, who owns homestead property, and who has a service-connected disability of from 10 to 90 percent. State law already provides a full homestead property tax exemption to veterans who are 100 percent permanently and totally disabled.
Many county appraisers' offices have indicated that this increase in the exemption will automatically be granted. However, those veterans currently receiving the $500 exemption should contact their county appraiser's office between January and March 2003 if they have not received notification from their appraiser's office by then. Also, veterans who are not currently receiving an exemption for their service-connected disabilities should contact their county property appraiser's office. Veterans applying for the exemption for the first time will need a letter of certification of their service-connected disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or the U.S. Government.
The legislation takes effect January 1, 2003. Applications for property tax exemptions are due by March 1 of every year. Disabled veterans may apply for the additional exemption at their county property appraiser’s office.
For more information about homestead exemptions and how to contact Florida’s 67 property appraisers, please point your web browser to http://www.myflorida.com/dor/property/appraisers.html or call the local property appraiser’s office listed in the Blue Pages (Government Listings) of your local telephone directory.