Martin County Tax Collector

We Salute You!

The freedom we enjoy in our country inspires people all over the world. It is because of the selfless acts of bravery, courage, and patriotism of the men and women who serve and have served our country that have provided and kept our “Land of the Free.” Every day our military put their safety at risk and their lives on hold to defend the liberty we all enjoy. Through the course of American history, courageous men and women have taken up arms to protect the most important principles upon which our country depends.

      License plates honoring the individual Armed Services are available to the general public. Your purchase of the “Florida Salutes Veterans” or one of the state’s U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, Marines, or U.S. Coast Guard license plates directly helps veterans.

      Honorably discharged Florida veterans can add a veteran designation “V” to their driver’s license or ID card by visiting any Florida driver’s license office. There is no charge or fee collected to display this designation on a veteran’s driver’s license. A homeless veteran may renew or obtain a new Florida ID card free of any charges.

      Any honorably discharged veteran who has a valid FDVA 100 percent disabled veteran card or who has been determined to have a 100 percent total and permanent service-connected disability and is qualified to obtain a driver’s license is generally exempt from all fees. An honorably discharged disabled veteran who has been a resident of Florida for the past five years or who has established domicile may apply for one free disabled veteran “DV” license plate for an owned or leased vehicle; however, there is a $4.80 annual state registration fee. Free license plates with a wheelchair emblem are available for those veterans permanently confined to a wheelchair and who otherwise qualify for a DV plate.

      Disabled veterans with mobility impairment may apply for the disabled parking plate with the wheelchair emblem. No state agency, county, municipality, or agency thereof may charge the driver of a vehicle displaying a “DV” license plate any fee for parking on public streets, highways, or in any metered parking space. Total and permanently disabled Florida veterans are exempt from county and municipality building licenses or permit fees when making certain improvements to their residence in order to make the dwelling habitable or safe.

      The Military Gold Sportsman’s license is available for a reduced fee of $20 to any resident who is an active or retired member of the U.S. Armed Forces, U.S. Armed Forces Reserve or National Guard. State hunting and fishing licenses and permits shall be issued without fees for five years to any veteran who is a Florida resident, certified or determined to be 100% totally and permanently disabled by the VA or the U.S. Armed Forces, or who has been issued a valid disabled veteran ID card by FDVA. Martin County Tax Collector provides a free business tax exemption for veterans of the United States Armed Forces, or the spouse, or un-remarried surviving spouse of such veteran for a new or an existing business.

      Americans owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude to the men and women in military uniform sacrificing so much, because we truly are “The Land of the Free Because of the Brave.” Ruth “Ski” Pietruszewski, Martin County Tax Collector, and her staff annually honor veterans by participating in the Veterans Day and Memorial Day parades. Ruth, herself, is a Salvation Army auxiliary woman. She and her staff help Toys for Tots, daily prioritize serving veterans any way they can, and support the men and women who bravely serve our country. God Bless America!