As we do every year we would like to remind our readers of the deadline for filing for your property tax exceptions. If you bought a home this past year or missed the deadline for exceptions in 2007 don't forget to file. Below you will find all the information that you will need to know to save money on your property taxes in Palm Beach County, Florida
The Property Appraiser's Office administers all property tax exemptions. Summaries of available exemptions are listed here. For more information or to apply, call them at (561) 355-2866 or visit us at any of the five Service Centers. Click Office Locations for addresses and directions.
You can download the Homestead Exemption Form and Instructions from this website. Please return the form to the Property Appraiser's Office, 301 N. Olive Avenue, 1st Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Applications for Homestead Exemption can also be filed online.Click Exemption E-File.
For the convenience of the taxpayers, Property Appraiser Gary R. Nikolits, CFA, has elected to automatically renew existing Homestead exemptions each year on January 1.
Every person who has legal title on January 1 to a residential property and lives there permanently qualifies for this exemption. You must be a permanent resident of Florida on January 1 of the initial application year. You may either apply by mail or in person at any time through the year but the deadline is March 1 of the qualifying year.
A copy of your deed and proof of residency is required. You may submit a copy of your Florida driver's license, voter's registration or permanent residency card. In lieu of a pending permanent resident alien card, we will accept Federal Form I485, "Approval Notice for application to adjust to permanent resident status."
- Additional Homestead Exemption
Voters have approved Amendment One, which includes an additional Homestead Exemption benefit up to $50,000. The new benefit is effective Jan. 1, 2008. The exemption amount remains at $25,000 for a property with an assessed value up to $50,000. Beginning at $50,000 and continuing through an assessed value of $75,000, the new additional benefit will increase with the increase in the property's value. A property with an assessed value of $75,000 or more will receive the full $50,000 exemption amount. Residential property owners who currently receive a homestead exemption and who continue to qualify for the exemption will automatically receive the additional benefit. No further application is necessary. The standard $25,000 Homestead Exemption will continue to apply to all tax levies. The additional exemption applies to all tax levies except school districts.
- Portability
Amendment One also allows residential property owners with an existing Homestead Exemption to transfer all or a significant portion of their "Save Our Homes" property tax savings to a new property. There are no changes to the existing "Save Our Homes" assessment cap benefit. Portability is an added benefit and is effective Jan. 1, 2008. Portability permits the owner to transfer up to $500,000 of your actual assessment cap to the new property. Apply for Portability when you apply for homestead exemption on your new property.Click here for the Portability Application.
- Senior Citizen Exemption
Certain seniors who are 65 or older may be eligible for up to an additional $50,000 exemption on their property's assessed value. For example, a home valued at $100,000, would be taxed on only $25,000, after the standard $25,000 Homestead Exemptions and the maximum $50,000 Senior Exemption are applied. Click here for More Information.. You will be asked to provide a copy of your Federal 1040 Tax Form or your Social Security 1099 Form. The county's senior exemption does not apply to other taxing authorities, such as the school district and municipalities.
U.S. Military personnel with a service-connected disability of 10% or more are entitled to a $5,000 exemption. If filing for the first time, please provide a letter from the U.S. Veteran's Administration that verifies your disability.
- Combat-disabled Senior Veterans
Combat-disabled veterans who are now over the age of 65 with a qualified Homestead Exemption and were Florida residents at the time they entered the service, may be eligible for an ad valorem tax discount. Please contact any of our five Service Centers for more information.
If you are the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran, you may be entitled to retain the $5,000 exemption. Please contact our office at (561) 355-2866 for more information.
A widow or widower who is a legal and permanent resident of Florida qualifies for this exemption. If the surviving spouse remarries, they are no longer eligible. If the husband and wife were divorced before their spouse's death, the survivor is not eligible.
- Granny Flats General Instructions
An assessment reduction may be granted to qualified homesteaded homeowners who build an addition to their house to accommodate parents or grandparents age 62 or older. The parent or grandparent must make the home their primary place of residence and have no other residency-based benefit in Florida or any other state.
The residence must already have a qualified Homestead Exemption in Palm Beach County. Construction must have commensed after January 7, 2003, and been completed prior to January 1 of the initial application year. For example, if you build an addition to your home in 2006, the initial application year would be 2007.
The amount of the exemption is based on the increase in assessed value that resulted from the addition to the property. However, the exemption amount will not exceed 20% of the total assessed value of the improved property.
Should the parent or grandparent no longer live on the property or no longer remain a permanent resident, the previously excluded market value will be added back to the property's assessed value.
Granny Flat application forms are required to be renewed annually. Click here to download the form and construction instructions.
People who are permanently disabled are eligible for this exemption. If applying for the first time, please provide a Physician's Certificate from a licensed Florida physician.
- Total Exemption
Civilian quadriplegics and honorably discharged veterans who are 100% disabled are exempt from ad valorem taxation. You will need to submit a Physician's Certification form.
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