The Tax Collector’s Office facilitates many types of transactions that benefit seniors. Please review the following information.
Hunting & Fishing Exemptions
This is an optional license. Your Florida Driver’s License or Identification card will suffice as proof of age and residency. Residents 65 or older are able to participate in many activities without purchasing a license by way of exemption. Visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s to find out more, just click here.
Property Tax Exemptions
The Senior Exemption is only applicable within the county or municipality that authorizes it. School taxes and independent taxing districts are not covered by this exemption.
In order to benefit, a homeowner must qualify for the regular homestead, be at least 65 years of age on January 1, and have a previous year total household adjusted gross income that does not exceed the statutory limit. Supporting documentation must be provided.
The county provides an additional property tax exemption for qualifying seniors who have lived in their home for at least 25 years. The market value of the home must not exceed $250,000.
The Property Appraiser’s office is responsible for determining property tax exemptions, please visit their website at polkpa.org for more information.
Driver License Information
- A mandatory vision test is required for all drivers over the age of 80, regardless of citizenship or status, or renewal method.
- Customers who are 79 years of age and under will be issued an eight year license.
- Customers 80 and older will be issued a six year license.
All drivers who are 80 years of age or older and who are in the process of obtaining or renewing a Florida driver license are required to pass a vision test. The test may be taken at Tax Collector’s Service Center in Polk County at no additional charge. Another option is to have a Florida medical doctor, osteopathic physician, or an optometrist administer the vision test. If the vision test is administered by a medical doctor, osteopathic physician, or an optometrist, the Mature Driver Vision Test Form (HSMV 72119) must be completed and submitted to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). The doctor completing the form must be licensed in Florida or licensed at a federally established veteran’s hospital. Out-of-state doctors are not authorized to provide this information. Upon passing the vision test requirement, the renewal process can be completed. However, if the test reveals a problem, you will be requested to have an eye specialist licensed by the State of Florida complete a Report of Eye Examination Form (HSMV 72010) form and submit it to the FLHSM prior to renewing your license.
Insurance Discount Courses – Drivers who are 55 years of age or older to complete a Mature Driver (Senior Citizen) Discount course that is approved by the FLHSMV. Upon successful completion of the course, a driver can provide the completion certificate to their insurance company for an insurance discount. For a list of course providers, click here.
GrandDriver Program – FLHSMV’s GrandDriver program is an education and outreach initiative that provides information and resources on driving safely and how to plan for safe transitioning from driving. For more information, click here.
Business Tax Exemption
This exemption is available to sole proprietors (individuals) upon submitting a County Local Business Tax Account Application Form or an Annual Renewal Application Form and providing personal identification indicating the applicant is sixty-five (65) years of age or older. Once approved, the applicant will receive their Business Tax receipt free of charge. For more information and to access the applicable County Local Business Tax Account Application form, click here.
Note: County Local business Tax exemptions generally do not apply to those who sell intoxicating liquors, etc. or those who operate gaming devices. Also, the local county business tax receipt issued with an exemption will indicate exempt status and are not transferable.