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Exemptions:
Under the Florida Constitution, permanent Florida residents may reduce the taxable value of their property by applying and qualifying for the exemptions listed below.

$25000 Homestead Exemption

Florida Law entitles every person who has legal or equitable title to real estate and maintains it as his/her permanent residence, to apply for a $25,000 homestead property tax exemption. A partial exemption may apply if the ownership of the applicant is less than 100%.

You must meet the following requirements as of January 1st of the qualifying tax year:

* Have legal or beneficial title to the property, as recorded in the Official Records of St Lucie County.
* Reside on the property.
* Be a permanent resident of the State of Florida.
* Be a United States citizen or possess a Permanent Resident Alien Card (Green Card).

You may file your application online or in person at one of our 3 convenient locations. The filing deadline is March 1st of the tax year for which you are applying, however, pre-file applications are accepted during the year.

 

All Proof of residency should be dated prior to January 1st

 Information needed for each person filing for an exemption:


       * Florida driver's license
       * Social Security Card or Number of applicant & applicant's spouse
       * If the applicant is not a U.S. citizen, a U.S. Permanent Resident Alien Card.
       * Copy of entire trust, if property is so titled     

Additional information needed

       * Date each applicant became a permanent Florida resident
       * Date of occupancy
       * Date of birth of all applicants
       * Any exemptions filed last year 
       * Address of last income tax return

** If additional information is needed to process your application, you will be notified.

Apply online (Fast, easy, convenient!)
Application for Tax Exemption (Sample Homestead Application)

Important: A change in the title of your property such as conveying into a trust or adding a spouse, will require you to make a new application for your exemption.  Homestead and other exemptions are not transferable. If you purchase and/or move to a new residence,  it is your responsibility to reapply on your new home

Please notify us when your mailing address changes. If you don't notify the Property Appraisers office, you could lose your exemption.

$25,000 Additional Homestead Exemption
for Persons 65 and Older

To qualify for the Additional Homestead Exemption for Persons 65 and Older, you must meet the following requirements: 

         * Florida resident 65 and older as of January 1st of the current year
         * Income limits apply.  Please contact the Property Appraiser's Office at 772-462-1000

$5,000 Service Connected Disability Exemption
Florida residents who are honorably discharged veterans with a service connected disability rating of at least 10% may qualify for this exemption.If filing for the first time, you will be asked to present a current letter from the Veterans Administration. The unremarried surviving spouse of a disabled veteran may also qualify for this exemption if married at least 5 years at the time of the veteran's death.

Permanently Disabled Veteran's Property Tax Discount on Homestead Property

Veterans who meet the folllowing specific criteria and have a qualified Homestead Exemption may be eligible for an ad valorem tax discount. The discount will be your percentage of disability applied against the ad valorem taxes owed. 

         * Age 65 or older
         * Disabled in combat
         * Resident of Florida at the time you entered military service
         * Honorable discharge

For more information, please contact the Property Appraiser's Office at 772-462-1000

$500 Disability Exemption

Florida residents may qualify for total and permanent disability, or blind exemption. If filing for the first time, you will be asked to present: 

       *  If totally and permanently disabled, a DR-416  from a professionally licensed Florida
           physician or a Social Security Disability Award letter. 
       * Blind exemption applicants will be required to submit a DR-416 from a professionally 
          licensed Florida physician or a letter from the Division of Blind Service     

$500 Widow's & Widower's Exemption
To file for Widow's/Widower's Exemption you must be a widow/widower as of January 1st of the current tax year and be a permanent resident of Florida. A copy of the spouse's death certificate must be provided. Divorced persons and persons who remarry do not qualify for the exemption.

Total Exemption
Quadriplegics and honorably discharged veterans certified by the federal government with a service connected total and permanent disability, may be eligible for total exemption.
Hemiplegics, paraplegics, and other totally and permanently disabled persons reliant on a wheelchair for mobility, or persons who are legally blind meeting certain income requirements may be eligible for total exemption.

For further information, please contact the Property Appraiser's Office at    772-462-1000