Florida Senior Tax Exemption Guide for Palm Beach County: Senior, Widow(er) and Disability Breaks
October 1, 2026 · 8 min read · By Onias Derilus, Broker
Beyond the basic homestead exemption, Palm Beach County owners 65 and older may qualify for extra property tax breaks. Here is who qualifies, what each city offers, how to apply and what happens when you move.
The Florida senior tax exemption is not one break but a group of them, and most Palm Beach County owners over 65 qualify for at least one. The basic homestead exemption comes first. On top of it, you may add a limited income senior exemption, a widow or widower exemption, or a disability exemption. Each one has its own rules. Some also depend on the city you live in. This guide explains who qualifies, what each break is worth in Palm Beach County, how to apply and what happens when you sell and buy again.
Key takeaways
- Florida law lets counties and cities give owners 65 and older an extra break of up to $50,000. You need homestead and a low household income.
- For the 2026 exemption in Palm Beach County, household income must be no more than $38,686, based on the prior year. Tax-exempt bond interest and non-taxable Social Security do not count.
- The county grants $25,000. Many cities add $25,000 more, and a few, including Jupiter and Wellington, add $50,000.
- Widows, widowers, blind people and people with a total and permanent disability can each get a $5,000 break.
- You file for the senior break by March 1, with an income form each year. It does not move with you, so you apply again after you buy.
Homestead comes before any Florida senior tax exemption
Every other senior break builds on homestead. To get it, you must own the home. You must also live in it as your main home on January 1. The homestead exemption can cut your taxable value by up to $50,000. It also turns on the Save Our Homes cap. That cap limits how much your assessed value can rise each year.
If you do not have homestead yet, apply with the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser by March 1. Without it, you cannot claim the senior exemption.
How the Florida senior tax exemption works
The main senior break comes from section 196.075 of the Florida Statutes. It lets a county or city add one or both of two extra breaks for owners 65 and older. Each local government makes its own choice. So the amount you get depends on where you live.
The limited income senior exemption
The first option is worth up to $50,000 of assessed value. You must be 65 or older on January 1. You must also have homestead and meet an income limit. The law set the limit at $20,000 and raises it each year for inflation. For the 2026 exemption, the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser lists a household income limit of $38,686, based on 2025 income.
Household income is the adjusted gross income of everyone who lives in the home. However, the Property Appraiser notes that tax-exempt bond interest and non-taxable Social Security income are left out.
The long-term resident exemption
The second option is larger. Say you have lived in the home for at least 25 years, and its just value is under $250,000. In that case, a local government can exempt the full assessed value from its own taxes. You must still meet the same income limit.
In Palm Beach County, the Property Appraiser lists only Boynton Beach and Delray Beach as offering this version, which it calls the super senior exemption.
Florida senior tax exemption amounts by city in Palm Beach County
The county itself grants $25,000 to qualifying seniors. Then each city decides whether to add its own. Per the Property Appraiser's senior exemption page, the city amounts look like this:
- $50,000: Haverhill, Juno Beach, Jupiter, Jupiter Inlet Colony, Loxahatchee Groves, Riviera Beach and Wellington
- $25,000: Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Greenacres, Lake Worth Beach, Lantana, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Springs, South Palm Beach, Tequesta and West Palm Beach
- $10,000: Lake Park
- $5,000: Royal Palm Beach
Some cities, such as Boca Raton, did not appear on that list when we checked. Homes in unincorporated areas get the county amount only. Also, each break applies only to the taxes of the government that grants it. So a city break lowers the city's share of your bill. The county break lowers the county's share.
What a Florida senior tax exemption can save you
The dollar savings depend on your millage. As a rough rule, each $25,000 of exemption saves $25 for every mill that government levies. For example, a city with a 5 mill rate would save you about $125 a year on its share. So check your own bill, or ask the Property Appraiser to estimate it.
The widow and widower exemption
Under section 196.202, every widow or widower who is a Florida resident can get a $5,000 exemption. The Property Appraiser estimates the savings at about $100 to $120 a year. To apply, you bring a death certificate.
This break has no age or income limit. It is small, but it adds up over the years, and it takes only a few minutes to file. So a surviving spouse can stack it with homestead and, if eligible, the senior exemption. If you remarry, ask the Property Appraiser whether you still qualify.
Disability exemptions for older owners
Many seniors also qualify for a disability break. The Property Appraiser's exemption list describes several:
- Blind or totally and permanently disabled: a $5,000 break. You need proof from a Florida doctor, the VA or Social Security.
- Quadriplegic: no property tax at all. You need forms from two Florida doctors.
- Paraplegic, in a wheelchair or legally blind: no property tax if your household's gross income is under $37,712, the limit the Property Appraiser lists.
Veteran exemptions
Veterans have separate breaks. A veteran with a service-connected disability of 10% or more can get $5,000. A veteran with a total and permanent service-connected disability can be fully exempt. In addition, a veteran 65 or older with a combat-related disability may get a discount equal to the disability percentage. Bring your VA letters when you apply.
How to apply for a Florida senior tax exemption
- Make sure you have homestead on the home, or apply for it at the same time.
- Gather your prior year income records, such as your federal tax return or Social Security 1099.
- Complete Form DR-501SC, the sworn statement of household income.
- File with the Property Appraiser by March 1, online or in person.
- Repeat the income statement each year, since the limit and your income can change.
For widow, widower or disability exemptions, bring the documents listed above. Once granted, those usually renew on their own as long as you still qualify. Still, tell the Property Appraiser if your status changes.
Selling, buying and your Florida senior tax exemption
This part surprises many movers. Your breaks belong to you and to one home. They do not pass to the buyer. They also do not follow you to your next home on their own.
So when you buy again in Florida, you file for homestead on the new home by March 1 of the next year. Then you file again for the senior exemption and any widow or disability exemption. Also, the long-term resident version requires 25 years at that home, so a move resets that clock.
The good news is that your Save Our Homes benefit can move with you through portability. You can carry up to $500,000 of it to a new Florida homestead if you set it up in time. Our guide to homestead exemption portability explains the math and the deadlines.
Picking a city with the break in mind
If you are downsizing, the city line can change your bill. For example, a qualifying senior in Jupiter or Wellington gets $50,000 from the city plus $25,000 from the county. A long-term owner in Boynton Beach or Delray Beach may qualify for the larger super senior version. Even so, the tax break should not be the only reason to choose a home. Weigh it next to price, HOA dues, insurance and where your family lives.
Amendment 3 on the November 2026 ballot
Florida voters will decide Amendment 3 on November 3, 2026. If at least 60% vote yes, the homestead exemption for non-school taxes would rise to up to $150,000 in 2027 and up to $250,000 in 2028. School taxes would still apply. It is not yet clear how each local senior break would work with the change. So check with the Property Appraiser after the vote.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Missing the March 1 deadline after a move or a death in the family
- Assuming the senior break renews on its own without the yearly income form
- Counting Social Security that is not taxed as income, which can make you think you do not qualify
- Forgetting to file for widow or disability breaks that have no income limit
If you are not sure, call the Property Appraiser before the deadline. It costs nothing to ask.
Frequently asked questions
At what age can I claim the Florida senior tax exemption?
You must be 65 or older on January 1 of the tax year. You also need homestead and income under the limit.
What is the income limit for 2026 in Palm Beach County?
The Property Appraiser lists $38,686 of household income, based on 2025 income. Tax-exempt bond interest and non-taxable Social Security do not count.
Do I file for the Florida senior tax exemption every year?
Yes, for the senior exemption. You file a sworn income statement each year by March 1. Widow and disability exemptions usually renew on their own.
Can I get the senior and widow exemptions at the same time?
Yes, if you qualify for both. They stack on top of homestead.
Does the exemption transfer when I sell?
No. You reapply on your new Florida homestead. Your Save Our Homes benefit may move through portability, but the senior exemption does not.
Sources
- Palm Beach County Property Appraiser, limited income senior exemption
- Palm Beach County Property Appraiser, exemptions: do you qualify?
- Palm Beach County Property Appraiser, homestead exemption
- Florida Statutes, s. 196.075
- Florida Statutes, s. 196.202
- Florida Department of Revenue, additional homestead exemptions for persons 65 and older
- Village of Palm Springs, Amendment 3 summary
This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Exemption rules and income limits change each year, so confirm your eligibility with the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser or a tax professional.
Thinking about selling the family home? Get a free home valuation so you can weigh your equity, your exemptions and your next move. Looking for a smaller place? Request a curated 55+ community shortlist from Pure Equity, matched to your budget and the cities you like. Talk with our team.
