Manatee County grants up to $1,500 a year, capped at the county's own property tax paid, to a homesteading resident who served in the Afghanistan or Persian Gulf combat zones in that year, or to the unremarried surviving spouse. Apply by December 31 of the fourth tax year after the service. Grants are subject to appropriation, and the county's page names a different office to run it than the Code does.
Article X of chapter 2-29 of the Manatee County Code (sections 2-29-123 to 2-29-128, Ordinance 07-35 of 2007) creates the Active Military Combat Duty Grant Program.
Who. A resident who owned property in Manatee County with a valid homestead exemption on December 31 of the year, was serving in the military or had received an honorable discharge from active duty, and served in a "currently designated combat zone" during that year, as active duty, a reservist or a Guard member: the zones of Executive Order 13239 (Afghanistan and its airspace) and Executive Order 12744 (the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, the northern Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates). Any tax year from 2003 counts. The surviving spouse of a qualifying member can apply if he or she was married to the member at death and has not remarried, both when applying and when the grant is made.
How much. The lesser of $1,500 or the county's own ad valorem tax paid on the homestead that year, which excludes school board, Southwest Florida Water Management District and municipal service taxing unit taxes, "regardless of the number of days" served in the zone. Grants are "subject to funds appropriated", and the county's page warns that "Veterans Services does not guarantee funds are available".
Applying. File the county's form with a certified copy of the combat duty orders and proof of combat service (a DD-214, orders with dates, paid travel vouchers with orders, or a commander's letter), and proof of the homestead exemption and of the taxes paid for each year, no later than December 31 of the fourth tax year after the year of service. A willfully false statement brings permanent disqualification and a misdemeanor charge carrying up to $500 and 60 days in jail.
Who runs it. The Code places the program under the county administrator, through designated county departments, and has applications filed with the county administrator or a designated office. The county's own page says instead that "The Manatee County Property Appraiser administers the program. Manatee County Veterans Services is just helping Veterans to apply." Start with a Veterans Services counselor at 941-745-3795 and mention the Active Combat Duty Grant Program.
The deployment exemption in section 196.173, which reduces the homestead's taxable value for named operations, is a separate State benefit; see the Florida entry.
Thresholds
Thresholds for Manatee County Active Military Combat Duty Grant
Gate
Rule
Manatee homestead and service in a designated combat zone
A serving or honorably discharged member with a Manatee homestead who served in the Afghanistan or Persian Gulf combat zones that year, or the unremarried surviving spouse. No rating is involved.
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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.