There are several exemptions available to homeowners, individuals, institutions, veterans, disabled, widows, widowers, not for profit organizations, economic development, etc.

Homestead tax exemption is the most common exemption applied for and granted in Santa Rosa County. If you own property that you use as your primary residence as of January 1, you may apply for homestead tax exemption. This will reduce the taxable value on your home up to $25,000.00, resulting in substantial savings on your property taxes.

WHEN TO FILE: Application for all exemptions must be made between January 1 and March 1 of the tax year. However, at the option of the property appraiser, (original homestead exemption applications may be accepted after April 1, but will apply to the succeeding year). Initial application should be made in person at the Property Appraiser's office. Subsequent yearly renewal of exemption status may be made by mail. Failure to make application by March l of the tax year shall constitute a waiver of the exemption privilege for that year.

$25,000.00 HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION: Every person who has legal or equitable title to real property in the State of Florida and who resides thereon and in good faith makes it his or her permanent home is eligible. First time applicants are required to furnish their social security number, and should have available evidence of ownership i.e., a recorded deed or a recorded contract.

To qualify for this exemption, you must establish permanent Florida residency.

Factors that must be met to establish residency are:

1. Owner occupancy of the dwelling prior to filing.
2. Termination of legal residency in any other state.
3. Possession of a resident Florida Drivers License.
4. Resident Florida registrations for ALL vehicles.

Information required at time of application:

1. Resident Florida Drivers License (self, spouse and all other property owners).
2. Resident Florida Automobile Registrations for all vehicles.
3. Social Security Numbers of all owners.
4. Copy of Trust (when applicable) trust must reflect equitable title to real estate as to support claim for homestead exemption.
5. Manufactured Home Title or Registration (when applicable)

   Manufactured home must have been on property as of January 1; must have Real Property decal; deed; title and decal must have been transferred into your name prior to filing for Homestead Exemption.

$25000.00 SENIOR EXEMPTION: An additional homestead exemption for persons 65 and older whose household income does not exceed a specified amount. The tax exemption applies to only the county portion of the tax.

$500.00 WIDOW'S EXEMPTION: Any widow who is a permanent Florida resident may claim this exemption. If the widow remarries, she is no longer eligible. If the husband and wife were divorced before his death, the woman is not considered a widow. You may be asked to produce a death certificate when filing for the first time.

$500.00 WIDOWER'S EXEMPTION: Any widower who is a permanent Florida resident may claim this exemption. If the widower remarries he is no longer eligible. If the husband and wife were divorced before her death, the man is not considered a widower. You may be asked to produce a death certificate when filing for the first time.

$500.00 DISABILITY EXEMPTION: Every Florida resident who is totally and permanently disabled qualifies for this exemption. Furthermore, any service man disabled at least 10% in war or by service-connected misfortune is entitled to a $500 exemption. If filing for the first time, please present at least one of the following as proof of your disability: if totally and permanently disabled, a certificate from two (2) professionally unrelated licensed Florida physicians or a certificate from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

$5000.00 VETERANS DISABILITY EXEMPTION: Any ex-service member, a bona fide resident of the state, who has been disabled to a degree of 10 percent or more while serving during a period of wartime service as defined in s.1.01(14), or by misfortune, is entitled to the exemption from taxation provided for in s. 3(b), Art. VII of the State Constitution. If filing for the first time, please present a certificate from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

$500.00 EXEMPTION FOR BLIND PERSONS: Every Florida resident who is blind qualifies for this exemption. When claiming this exemption a certificate from the Division of Blind Services of the Department of Education or the United States Department of Veterans Affairs certifying the applicant to be blind is required. "Blind person" is defined as an individual having central vision acuity 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting glasses, or a disqualifying field defect in which the peripheral field has contracted to such an extent that the widest diameter or visual field subtends an angular distance no greater than twenty degrees.

SERVICE-CONNECTED TOTAL AND PERMANENT DISABILITY EXEMPTION: Any honorably discharged veteran with a service connected total and permanent disability is entitled to exemption on real estate used and owned as a homestead less any portion thereof used for commercial purposes.

Persons entitled to this exemption must have been a permanent resident of this state as of January 1 of the year of assessment. Under certain circumstances the benefit of this exemption can carry over to the veteran's spouse in the event of the veteran's death. Consult your appraiser for details.

If filing for the first time, please bring proof of your service-connected disability; a certificate from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The certificate must state that the records of the above named honorably discharged veteran show that he is permanently and totally disabled, due to a service-connected disability or disabilities.

1. Any real estate used and owned as a homestead, less any portion thereof used for commercial purposes by any quadriplegic shall be exempt from taxation.
2. Any real estate used and owned as a homestead, less any portion thereof used for commercial purposes, by a paraplegic, hemiplegic or other totally and permanently disabled person, as defined in Section 196.012 (10),F.S., who must use a wheelchair for mobility or who is legally blind, shall be exempt from taxation.

Persons entitled to the exemption under number two (2) above, must be a permanent resident of the State of Florida as of January 1 of the year of assessment. Also, the prior year gross income of all persons residing in or upon the homestead shall not exceed the amount of income, set forth in section 196.101(4),F.S., adjusted annually by the percentage change of the average cost of living index issued by the United States Department of Labor. Gross income shall include United States Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and any social security benefits paid to the person. A statement of gross income must accompany the application.

If filing for the first time, please bring a certificate from two (2) licensed doctors of this state or a certificate (per s. l96.091,F.S.) from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

For additional information contact the Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser's office.