Following a hurricane, storm, flood and other natural disaster, Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez and his office stand ready to help you through the assessment process.

If your home was uninhabitable for 30 days or more in 2024 as a result of a catastrophic event, you may be eligible for a property tax refund. Please submit a Application for Catastrophic Event Tax Refund (Form DR-465) by March 1.

If your home suffered catastrophic damage and was uninhabitable for less than 30 days, or your business suffered damage as a result of a storm, please submit a Damage Assessment Form.

In 2022, the Florida Legislature passed a law providing for a partial refund of property taxes for residential improvements rendered uninhabitable for at least 30 days due to a catastrophic event.

The Hillsborough County Property Appraiser’s Office has prepared information to help property owners understand how their property taxes may be affected by a catastrophic event.

Assessment Reduction

Q: How will damage to my home affect my property’s taxable value?

A: Florida law requires the property appraiser to annually assess your property’s value as of January 1. The taxable value is not affected by damages or other changes in your property’s condition occurring after this date. Any damage or condition changes after January 1 may be accounted for the following year.

Q: Can I apply for a reassessment of my property’s value due to damage?

A: There is no need to apply for reassessment. Florida law requires the property appraiser to annually reassess your property’s value as of January 1. Your property’s taxable value will be automatically reassessed each year.

Deadlines and Procedures

Q: Should I report property damage to the property appraiser’s office?

A: Yes, you may report damage to the property appraiser’s office. Additionally, the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser’s Office works year-round to collect the data necessary to accurately estimate property values. This includes monitoring construction activity, conducting on-site observations, utilizing aerial imagery, and reviewing damage assessments conducted following a disaster.

Q: What is the deadline to file an Application of Catastrophic Event Tax Refund (Form DR-465)??

A: An application (Form DR-465) must be filed with the property appraiser along with supporting documentation by March 1 of the year immediately following the catastrophic event. Acceptable supporting documentation may include utility bills, insurance claims, contractor statements, permit applications, certificates of occupancy, or other records demonstrating that the home was uninhabitable.

Property owners with questions about the assessment process may contact the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser’s Office for assistance. By self-reporting property damage, you may help expedite the review process.

Reconstruction and Improvements

Q: If I rebuild or repair my home, how will that affect my property taxes?

A: If repairs or rebuilding significantly increase the value of your home, your property taxes may be affected in future tax years. Thankfully, both homestead and non-homestead parcels have provisions within statute that limit some increases after a calamity or misfortune. For more information, please contact our office..

Will by property’s value be reassessed once the rebuild or repairs are completed?

Q: Will by property’s value be reassessed once the rebuild or repairs are completed?

A: If the repaired or replaced building is no larger than 110% of the former damaged building, your property tax value will not increase as a result of the repairs or replacements. No value is added over the capped value that existed at the time the damage occurred. If the rebuilt square footage is greater than 110% of the building’s original size, the value attributed to excess square footage will increase the property tax value.is added above the 3% Save-Our-Homes cap or 10% non-homestead cap..

Additionally, if the original home was less than 1,500 SF, a maximum of 1,500 SF or 110% of the original, whichever is greater, may be added without effecting your property tax value.

Q: What if my home or commercial building is not completely rebuilt or repaired after Jan. 1 of the next year?

A: If the structure is incomplete on Jan. 1 after the damage occurred, appraisers will reduce your just/market and capped values accordingly as of Jan. 1 for the new tax year. Adjustment of the capped (assessed) value will depend upon the difference between Just and assessed values and the level of damage..

Q: How can I find an independent appraiser?

A: The following two resources can be used to find state-certified real estate appraisers: Myfloridalicense.com - (Select License Category: Real Estate Appraisers; License Type: Cert Residential or General, then geographic preference) Appraisalinstitute.org (Find an Appraiser Search).

Q: What type of appraisal should I be asking for?

A: Tell the independent appraiser that you need a retrospective (pre-storm) Actual Cash Value (aka FEMA 50% Rule) appraisal of your structure (building).

Payment and Penalties.

Q: Can I defer property tax payments if my home is damaged or uninhabitable?

A: For any questions about property tax payments, deferrals, or penalties, contact the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office online or by phone at (813) 272-6100.

Catastrophic Event Tax Refund and Reimbursements

Q: Can I receive a refund of property taxes if I am unable to live in my home due to damage or destruction caused by a catastrophic event?

A: Florida homeowners may qualify for a refund on property taxes already paid if their residence cannot be lived in for at least 30 days because of damage or destruction caused by a catastrophic event. A catastrophic event is defined in section 197.319, Florida Statutes as “an event or misfortune or calamity that renders one or more residential improvements uninhabitable. The term does not include an event caused, directly or indirectly, by the property owner with the intent to damage or destroy the residential improvement.” The refund applies to taxes assessed and paid for the year in which the catastrophic event took place.

Q: How do I apply for the tax refund?

A: An application (Form DR-465) must be filed with the property appraiser along with supporting documentation by March 1 of the year immediately following the catastrophic event. Acceptable supporting documentation may include utility bills, insurance claims, contractor statements, permit applications, certificates of occupancy, or other records demonstrating that the home was uninhabitable.

Temporary Housing

Q: If I need to move to temporary housing, do I still owe property taxes on my damaged home?

A: Yes. However, if your residence was uninhabitable for 30 days or longer, you may qualify for a partial refund of your property taxes as described above.

Homestead Exemption

Q: Will my homestead exemption be affected if my home is temporarily uninhabitable?

A: No, Florida law allows homeowners to continue their homestead exemption following a catastrophic event that results in their residence being uninhabitable. However, you must start fixing or rebuilding the residence within five years and you may not claim homestead exemption or residency-based exemptions elsewhere. For more information, see section 196.031(7), Florida Statutes.

Q: How can I ensure my homestead exemption remains in place during the rebuilding process?

A: If your residence suffers a catastrophic event and you plan to repair or rebuild your home with the intent to move back in, please notify our office.

Q: How long can I keep my homestead exemption if I decide not to rebuild my damaged home:

A: The property owner will have the statutory 3-tax year window to port (transfer) any assessment differential to a new homestead. If the owner does not port the differential to a new homestead within that time, the homestead will be removed on the following January 1.

Communication and Assistance

Q: Who should I contact for assistance with property tax issues related to a catastrophic event?

A: The Hillsborough County Property Appraiser’s Office is committed to providing exceptional customer service and is happy to answer questions about property tax assessments. You can reach us online or by phone at (813) 272-6100.

The 50% Rule is a regulation of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that prohibits improvements to a structure exceeding 50% of its market value unless the entire structure is brought into full compliance with current flood regulations. This may include elevating the structure, using flood resistant materials, and proper flood venting among others. Please visit the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser’s 50 Percent Rule & Calculator page for details.

There are local, state, and federal resources available to help property owners navigate concerns after a natural disaster. Additional information is available at the Hillsborough County Emergency Management office, the City of Tampa Office of Emergency Management, the Florida Division of Emergency Management, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Additionally, the Florida Department of Revenue has developed the Florida Homeowner’s Guide: Property Tax Relief for Catastrophic Events and the Florida Homeowners Guide: Catastrophic Event Property Damage.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management has also developed Florida’s first Statewide Residential Mitigation Program, Elevate Florida. The goal of this program is to enhance community resilience by mitigating private residences against natural hazards. See if you're eligible here.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest Physical Damage and Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Residents and businesses can visit here to apply.