Lake County Property Appraiser: Veteran Exemptions and the Deployment Exemption

The Lake County Property Appraiser's deployment exemption application is the Department of Revenue's 2017 form, which still lists Operations Observant Compass and Resolute Support, both since removed, and omits the seven operations added in 2022 and 2026. It also limits the $5,000 exemption to a service-connected disability, where section 196.24 says by misfortune or in wartime service.

Also called: property tax, property appraiser, LCPA, 196.081, 196.24, 196.082, 196.173, DR-501DV, DR-501M, deployed military exemption, Observant Compass, March 1.

For: Veteran or service member, survivor.

Where it applies

Written for the jurisdictions listed here.

Lake County, FLCounty

The exemptions are the State's; the Florida entries explain them. The Lake County Property Appraiser (352-253-2150) grants them; applications are due March 1, by e-file, mail or in person. The deployment exemption. The Appraiser's link "for the application and list of eligible military operations" opens form DR-501M as revised in September 2017. Its list still includes Operation Observant Compass, which chapter 2022-97 removed from section 196.173, and Operation Resolute Support, which chapter 2026-239 removed, and it lacks Operation Enduring Freedom - Horn of Africa and the European Assure, Deter and Reinforce operations (added in 2022) and the five operations chapter 2026-239 added for the 2026 roll: operations in Israel and the Gaza Strip's Mediterranean territorial seas and air spaces, the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, Operation Southern Spear, Operation Sharp Sentry and the Multinational Force and Observers. A member deployed on one of those can still claim; see the Florida entry. The $5,000 exemption. The page grants it to a veteran "who has a service connected disability of 10 percent or more". Section 196.24 requires a disability of 10% or more "by misfortune or while serving during a period of wartime service", with an honorable discharge and Florida residence; the Property Appraisers of Polk and Palm Beach Counties read "misfortune" to reach a disability VA has not service-connected, and Lake's page does not. Otherwise the page follows the statutes: the combat discount at 65 or older as of January 1, with an honorable discharge and a combat-related disability; the total and permanent exemption, with its carry-over to the surviving spouse and the exemption for the spouse of a member who died on active duty; and the prorated refund for a totally and permanently disabled veteran who buys a home between January 1 and November 1.

Thresholds

Thresholds for Lake County Property Appraiser: Veteran Exemptions and the Deployment Exemption
Gate	Rule
10% for the $5,000 exemption; permanent and total for the full one	The $5,000 exemption starts at 10%. The full homestead exemption needs total and permanent disability. The combat discount needs age 65 and a permanent rating with a combat-related part; the deployment exemption needs no rating.

Sources

Updated

Last updated 2026-10-02.

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Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.