Partial property tax refunds may be available to Florida homeowners whose flood-damaged homes are uninhabitable for 30 days

Property Appraiser Dorothy Jacks said homeowners whose houses suffered major damage should contact her office as soon as they are able.

With flooding affecting parts of Palm Beach County, some households may be able to get a partial property tax refund to help ease financial strain, according to WPEC.

To be eligible, homeowners must have been unable to live in their homes for at least 30 straight days because of the flooding, the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser's Office said.

What homeowners need to know

Applicants must file an Application for Catastrophic Event Tax Refund, or Form DR-465, and include supporting documents with the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser's Office.

Jacks urged property owners whose homes sustained significant damage to report the loss as soon as possible.

Officials also said residents should gather key records while dealing with several days of heavy flooding.

Additional background

For assessment purposes, a Florida property's condition is measured on Jan. 1 of the relevant tax year, according to Palm Beach County.

As a result, flood damage covered by the county's notice will not alter that year's assessment.

The following assessment could be different, however, if damage remains unrepaired on Jan. 1 of the next year.

Rebuilding does not necessarily mean giving up existing property tax benefits.

The Property Appraiser's Office says qualified homeowners may keep their homestead exemption and Save Our Homes assessment protections while repairs are underway.

What should homeowners do?

Photos and videos of the damage can help support a refund request.

The Property Appraiser's Office recommends keeping insurance documents, building permits, utility bills and contractor statements.

Residents who have left a flood-damaged home should provide their current mailing address to both the Property Appraiser's Office and the Palm Beach County Tax Collector so they continue receiving notices.

The office says Form DR-465 and all supporting documents must be filed by March 1, 2027.

Both should be submitted to the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser's Office.

More information

Homeowners dealing with flood damage may be managing displacement, aid applications and tax relief at the same time. Related coverage examines storm-damage tax refunds, concerns over flood aid and disaster-related filing extensions.

• Los Angeles County owners with qualifying storm damage may receive property tax reductions and refunds.

• Fort Lauderdale homeowners are skipping flood aid over concerns about taxes, codes and permits.

• After Hurricane Isaias, the IRS extended Florida tax deadlines to Feb. 8, 2027.