Apply for a Property Tax Refund due to a Catastrophic Event (Form DR-465 / PC-465)

Will my 2024 tax bill be reduced due to damage from Hurricane Debby, Helene or Milton?

Property values and tax bills for the 2024 tax year are based on values as of January 1, 2024. While 2024 tax bills will not be reduced, residential property owners are eligible for a partial property tax refund due to damage associated with a catastrophic event if certain conditions are met:

• The property must be rendered uninhabitable from damage associated with a hurricane or other catastrophic event for a minimum of 30 days from the date of the event.
• The owner must provide our office a completed form DR-465/PC-465 Application for Catastrophic Event Tax Refund as per Section 197.319, Florida Statutes .
• The DR-465/PC-465 form must be accompanied by supporting documentation showing the real property could not be inhabited after the catastrophic event to include utility bills, insurance claims, contractor statements, permit applications, or certificates of occupancy.
• The deadline to file for the refund is March 1 of the year immediately following the catastrophic event.
• The taxpayer is still responsible for paying property taxes owed.
• Refunds will be issued to the taxpayer after confirmation that the above conditions have been met.

IF YOU WERE IMPACTED BY HURRICANE DEBBY, HELENE or MILTON, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

You have until March 1, 2025, to apply. Please do not submit DR-465/PC-465 Form before the following is known:

• Hurricane Debby impacted Pinellas County on August 3, 2024, the maximum number of days a residential property may have been uninhabitable in 2024 is 151 days (Aug 3, 2024 - Dec 31, 2024).
• Hurricane Helene impacted Pinellas County on September 26, 2024, the maximum number of days a residential property may have been uninhabitable in 2024 is 97 days (Sep 26, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024).
• Hurricane Milton impacted Pinellas County on October 9, 2024, the maximum number of days a residential property may have been uninhabitable in 2024 is 84 days (Oct 9, 2024 - Dec 31, 2024).
• Please read the Instructions on page 2 of the DR-465/PC-465 Form carefully to understand the documentation required and refund calculations.
• 2024 property taxes must be paid in full prior to refund issuance. Tax bills will be available on the Pinellas County Tax Collectors website on November 1, 2024.
• Supporting documentation must be provided showing the real property could not be inhabited following the date of the catastrophic event includes damage photos, utility bills, insurance claims, contractor statements, permit applications, or certificates of occupancy.

Once you have applied and met the requirements for the refund, it will take a minimum of 4-6 weeks to issue the refund (process starts with the Property Appraiser and ends with Tax Collector issuing refund). Our office cannot begin the refund process until January 2025.

Please send your application and supporting documentation to mike@pcpao.gov.  Thank you!