Florida Property Tax Relief Available for Catastrophic Event Property Damage

If you are a Florida homeowner that has experienced extensive damage to your home due to a catastrophic event, you made be entitled to property tax relief.

According to a Florida state statute, a homeowner is entitled to a refund for a portion of their property taxes if their home becomes uninhabitable for at least 30 days due to a catastrophic event. This damage would be due to a hurricane, tornado, fire, flooding, water damage, or structural failure.

To apply for this property tax relief, an Application for Catastrophic Event Tax Refund (Form DR-465) needs to be prepared and filed with the county property appraiser where the property is located by March 1 of the year immediately following the catastrophic event. There is a guide (“A Florida Homeowner’s Guide: Catastrophic Event Property Damage”) available for homeowners who want to learn more about the property tax relief. The county property appraiser may request supporting documentation to determine whether the property is uninhabitable. The types of documentation that could be requested by the county appraiser are utility bills, insurance information, contractors’ statements, building permit applications, or building inspection certificates of occupancy.

For homeowners that experienced catastrophic damage to their homes in 2024 due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. This application for property tax relief needs to be applied for by March 1, 2025.

If you have had or in the future have a catastrophic event cause damage to your Florida home and have any questions on filing for this property tax relief, feel free to contact your Boyum advisor.