Skip to main content
Instagram IconFacebook IconX IconYoutube IconLinked In Icon

Total and Permanent Disability

Florida residents with a Homestead Exemption who have total and permanent disabilities can qualify for assessment reductions or exemptions from all ad valorem taxes.

Total and permanent disability is defined as an impairment of the mind or body that renders a person unable to engage in any substantial gainful occupation and that is reasonably certain to continue throughout life.

In the case of multiple owners, the exemption applies proportionately to the person’s interest.

Paraplegic, Hemiplegic or Confined to Wheelchair

A permanent Florida resident who meets certain requirements can qualify to have his/her homestead residence exempted from all ad valorem taxes.

  • Submit two Doctor's certificates (DR-416) from two professionally-unrelated Florida-licensed physicians, or two physicians from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, confirming the applicant as being paraplegic, hemiplegic, legally blind or totally and permanently disabled
  • Must use a wheelchair for mobility

On the Property Tax Exemption (DR-501) form, select Certain total and permanent disabilities - limited income and hemiplegic, paraplegic, wheelchair required, or legally blind.

In addition, applicants must meet income limits.

Total household adjusted gross income for everyone who lives on the property cannot exceed $36,745 in the previous year, 2024, based on the figure set by the Florida Department of Revenue.

Quadriplegic

A permanent Florida resident who is a certified quadriplegic must meet the following requirements to have their homestead residence exempted from all ad valorem taxes.
  • Submit two Doctor's certificates (DR-416) from two professionally-unrelated Florida-licensed physicians, or two physicians from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, confirming the applicant as being quadriplegic
On the Property Tax Exemption (DR-501) form, select Total and permanent disability - quadriplegic

There is no income qualification required for this exemption.

Totally and Permanent Disabled with No Wheelchair

A Florida resident certified as being totally and permanently disabled, but not requiring the use of a wheelchair for mobility, can qualify for a $5,000 Disability Exemption on the assessed value of the property.

On the Property Exemption (DR-501) form, select Totally and permanently disabled.

Submit Your Application

Applications and required documentation must be submitted by March 1.

The denial of a Disability Exemption will not affect any other exemption you receive such as the Homestead Exemption.

You may submit your application using the following methods:

Walk-In 

  • Stephen P. Clark Center
    111 NW 1 Street
    Suite 710
    Miami, FL 33128

  • South Dade Government Center
    10710 SW 211 Street
    2nd Floor
    Cutler Bay, FL 33189

To confirm your application has been received and to track its status, visit the Track Your Application Status webpage. For more information, call 305-375-4712.

You can file a late property tax exemption application starting March 2 until the expiration on your August Notice of Proposed Property Taxes (TRIM Notice), which is on or before September 20. You may have to file a petition with the Value Adjustment Board; a $15 fee may be applicable.

You can file a late application online, by mail, email or in person. For more information on how to file a late application, call 305-375-4712.

Related Services

The Disability Exemption is automatically renewed each year. Receipts are mailed by February and include income limit information for exemptions with income limits.

If you are still eligible for these exemption(s), you do not need to take any further action. Keep the automatic renewal receipt our office mails every year with the updated adjusted household for your records.

Florida Law prescribes that it is the duty of the owner of any property to notify the Property Appraiser promptly whenever the use of the property or the status or condition of the owner changes, so as to change the exempt status of the property.

If any owner fails to notify the Property Appraiser, and the Property Appraiser determines that for any year within the prior 10 years the owner was not entitled to receive such exemption, the property shall be subject to the taxes exempted as a result of such failure, plus 15 percent interest per year, and a penalty of 50 percent of the taxes exempted.