Exemptions

The Property Appraiser’s Office administers all property tax exemptions. Brief summaries of available exemptions are listed here. For more information or to apply, call us at (386) 313-4150 or visit us at the Government Services Building located at 1769 E. Moody Blvd. Building #2 Suite 201 in Bunnell. You may also see the State of Florida Eligibility Criteria on this website under forms to download.

Ø $50,000 Homestead Exemption

Every person who has legal title to a residential property and lives there permanently as of January 1 of current year qualifies for this exemption. You may apply in person at any time through the year, but the deadline is March 1 of the qualifying year.

First time applicants must come to our office in person. You will need to bring:

1) Florida Drivers License or ID with correct mailing address.

2) Florida vehicle registration with correct mailing address.(If you own a Vehicle)

3) Flagler County Voter’s Registration with correct mailing address. (If you vote)

4) Social Security Numbers for all applicants.

5) If you were not born in the US, we will need to see proof of citizenship or permanent residency.

6) If the property is in a Trust, we will need to see a copy of the entire Trust.

7) Copy of recorded deed or tax bill.

8) Copy of Mobile Home Registration or Titles if you live in a mobile home.

Ø $500 Widow/Widower

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. You need to produce a copy of the death certificate when filing for the first time.

Ø $500 Disability Exemption

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.

Ø $5000 Disabled Veterans Exemption

U.S. Military personnel with a service-connected disability of 10% or more are entitled to this exemption. If filing for the first time, please provide a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs that verifies your disability.

A veterans exemption equal to the amount of disability is available if the veteran is age 65 or older, who was a Florida resident at the time of entering military service, whose disability was combat-related, and who was honorably discharged.

> $500 Blind Exemption

Every Florida resident who is blind qualifies for this exemption. If filing for the first time, please bring a certificate from the Division of Blind Services or a Optometrist’s Certificate verifying the applicant to be legally blind. The Optometrist’s Certificate can be found on our web site in the Forms to Download section.

Ø Total Exemptions

Honorably discharged veterans who are Totally and Permanently Disabled due to service connected disability qualify for this exemption. If filing for the first time, please provide a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs that verifies your disability. If you are a paraplegic, hemiplegic or other totally and permanently disabled person who must use a wheelchair for mobility or who is legally blind, you may also be exempt from taxation. Please read the State of Florida Eligibility Criteria sheet in our forms to download section for further instructions.

A senior exemption is also available. Please refer to Senior Homestead Exemption under Appraisal and Assessment information.

It is very important to remember that if you sell your home and buy another home, you must come in to the office to make new application. The homestead exemption DOES NOT automatically follow you to your new home.

!!! NEW HOMEBUYER BEWARE!!!

Be aware that there could be significant changes in the property taxes on the home you are buying.

In Florida, state law limits the annual increase in the assessed value, not market value, of homesteaded property to 3% or the Consumer Price Index (CPI) whichever is less. This is also called Save Our Homes. When homesteaded property is sold, that limitation is removed and the property is reassessed. This results in a new assessed value.

If you purchase homesteaded property, the taxable value of the property can and probably will, increase the first year after sale, especially if it has been owned and homesteaded for several years by the same owner.

Assessed Value – Any Exemptions = Taxable Value

This information is very important to understand because if your taxes are paid by your mortgage company, you may be surprised by the increase in your monthly payment, due to the increase in your assessed value, which means a higher taxable value.

When there is a change in ownership, the assessed value will be brought up to the market value. This may include a name change on your deed. According to Section 193.155(3)

Florida Statutes, except as provided therein, property shall be assessed at just value as of January 1 of the year following a change of ownership. Therefore, adding or removing the name of an individual as a joint owner of the property can require the property’s assessed value to be reassessed at market value as of January 1 following the change of ownership if the new owner files for Homestead Exemption.