If your property has sustained hurricane or severe storm damage, the first thing to do once the storm passes is to take photographs to document the damage. You should also conduct emergency repairs to prevent further damage, such as covering broken windows with plastic or covering roofs with tarps to keep the rain out. If your home is uninhabitable, you should seek safe lodging.

If your home has suffered catastrophic damage, there are provisions in Florida law that pertain to your property tax assessment and how it is affected when your home is destroyed by a hurricane, fire or other calamity. Our office can provide further information about this program.

In addition, Florida law requires property appraisers to determine if you are entitled to a refund of taxes in the event of catastrophic damage. We will notify you if supporting documentation is required for purposes of determining the conditions of uninhabitability and subsequent habitability, such as utility bills, insurance information, contractors’statements, building permit applications, or building inspection certificates of occupancy.

Application for Catastrophic Event Tax Refund

If your home has been damaged by a Hurricane, please contact our office so that we can work with you through the assessment process. Information that would be helpful to us includes insurance claims, photographs, and repair estimates and invoices.

To contact us, call 561.355.3230 or email us at PAHurricaneDamage@pbcpao.gov. Please be prepared to provide the following information:

• Property Address
• Owner or contact person
• Contact Phone number
• Contact Email address
• Summary of damage