The Certification of Disability is the form the Wake County Tax Administration uses to confirm that a property owner is totally and permanently disabled, as defined in G.S. 105-277.1(b)(4). It is one of the Wake County property tax forms tied to the Senior & Disabled (Elderly or Disabled Homestead Exclusion) and Tax Deferment (Circuit Breaker) programs. A physician licensed in North Carolina or an authorized governmental agency completes the certification section. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the county publishes the original at the official source link.
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What is Certification of Disability – Wake County, NC?
The Certification of Disability is a one-page form from the Wake County Department of Tax Administration on which a qualified professional certifies that an applicant is totally and permanently disabled, as required for the Property Tax Exclusion under G.S. 105-277.1.
The top of the form collects the applicant's name, address, date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy), Social Security number and telephone numbers. The lower section is the certification. It can only be completed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina or by a governmental agency authorized to determine qualification for disability benefits. That person circles YES or NO on two statements: that the applicant is currently totally and permanently disabled, and that the applicant was under their care as of January 1 of this year and was totally and permanently disabled on that date. The professional then signs and gives a printed name, phone number, title, license number and the name of the practice or agency.
The form quotes the statutory definition in G.S. 105-277.1(b)(4): a physical or mental impairment that substantially precludes gainful employment and appears reasonably certain to continue without substantial improvement throughout life. It also warns that evidence of disability payments is not evidence of total and permanent disability.
This form is not for the Disabled Veteran Exclusion (G.S. 105-277.1C), which is a different program. A veteran's disability certification must come directly from the appropriate federal agency.
Who needs to file Certification of Disability – Wake County, NC?
Property owners who apply for the Senior & Disabled program or the Tax Deferment (Circuit Breaker) program in Wake County on the basis of being totally and permanently disabled need this certification. The county's tax relief page states that those qualifying as totally and permanently disabled must submit a Disability Certification with their application.
Who completes which part:
- The applicant enters the identifying details at the top of the form.
- A physician licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina, or a governmental agency authorized to determine qualification for disability benefits, completes and signs the certification section.
Do not use this form if:
- You are claiming the Disabled Veteran Exclusion (G.S. 105-277.1C). Obtain a veteran's disability certification from the appropriate federal agency instead.
- You qualify on age alone. The county page lists being 65 as a separate basis for the Senior & Disabled and Tax Deferment programs.
Unmarried joint owners each apply separately, according to the county page, so each owner who relies on disability needs a certification. Although you may qualify for more than one program, only one program may be selected.
When to file Certification of Disability – Wake County, NC
The certification is submitted with the property tax relief application it supports, so it follows that application's deadline: June 1. The county's page says a married couple who solely own a property file one application, while multiple unmarried owners each file their own.
The form asks the certifier to state that the applicant was under their care as of January 1 of this year and was totally and permanently disabled on that date, so the certification must reflect the disability as of January 1.
Late applications may be considered through the end of 2026 for reasons such as physical or mental illness, hospitalization, death of the taxpayer or an immediate family member, or military deployment. The application has a section to explain the lateness, and each request is decided case by case.
The Tax Deferment (Circuit Breaker) program requires a new application every year, while the Senior & Disabled exclusion is a one-time application; ask the office what is needed for a renewal.
Documents you need
- The Senior & Disabled or Tax Deferment application: the county page says applicants who qualify as totally and permanently disabled must submit this Disability Certification with their application.
- A signed certification section: it must be completed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina or by a governmental agency authorized to determine qualification for disability benefits.
How to fill out Certification of Disability – Wake County, NC
Enter the applicant's name
At Applicant's Name, write the last name, first name and middle initial of the person applying for the property tax exclusion.
Enter address and date of birth
Write the applicant's address and the date of birth in mm/dd/yyyy format.
Enter the Social Security number
Fill in the Social Security Number blanks. The form states that disclosure is mandatory for approval of the Property Tax Exclusion under G.S. 105-277.1.
Add telephone numbers
Enter the applicant's Home, Work and Cell numbers in the Telephone Number line.
Have a qualified certifier review
Only a physician licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina, or a governmental agency authorized to determine disability benefits, may complete the rest. The certifier affirms being qualified and authorized to make the determination.
Circle the two YES or NO answers
The certifier circles YES or NO on whether the applicant is currently totally and permanently disabled under G.S. 105-277.1(b)(4), and on whether the applicant was under their care and disabled as of January 1 of this year.
Complete the certifier's details
The certifier signs and dates the form, prints their name and phone number, and enters their title, License # and the name of the medical practice or government agency.
Review, download and attach
Check that every blank and both circles are complete, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Send it with the application as described under How to submit.
How to submit Certification of Disability – Wake County, NC
The certification goes to Wake County Tax Administration with the property tax relief application, by mail, email, hand delivery or online upload.
- By mail: the form says to mail the completed certification to Wake County Tax Administration, P.O. Box 2331, Raleigh NC 27602.
- By email: the county page says printable applications may be emailed to [email protected] if you cannot apply online.
- In person: applications can be hand-delivered to 301 S. McDowell St., Suite 3800, Raleigh.
- Online: the county's online application lets you attach the required documents at the end. A valid email address is required to submit online.
For questions about which program to choose, or to request an application by mail, call 919-856-5400.
The certification section must be signed by the physician or agency representative before you send it. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using this form for the Disabled Veteran Exclusion (G.S. 105-277.1C); that program needs a veteran's disability certification from the appropriate federal agency.
- Having the certification section completed by someone other than a physician licensed in North Carolina or an agency authorized to determine disability benefits.
- Relying on proof of disability payments; the form states this is not evidence of total and permanent disability.
- Circling only one of the two YES/NO statements, or circling YES on the January 1 statement when the applicant was not under the certifier's care on that date.
- Leaving the Social Security number blank; the form says disclosure is mandatory for approval of the Property Tax Exclusion under G.S. 105-277.1.
- Omitting the certifier's signature, date, license number or practice or agency name from the certification section.
- Writing the date of birth in a format other than mm/dd/yyyy.
- Sending the certification after the June 1 application deadline without using the late-application explanation section of the application.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Wake County Certification of Disability used for?
It certifies that an applicant is totally and permanently disabled under G.S. 105-277.1(b)(4). Wake County Tax Administration requires it from applicants who qualify as totally and permanently disabled for the Senior & Disabled or Tax Deferment property tax relief programs.
Who can complete the certification section?
Only a physician licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina, or a governmental agency authorized to determine qualification for disability benefits. The certifier affirms being qualified and authorized, circles two YES or NO answers, and signs with a license number.
Is proof that I receive disability payments enough?
No. The form states that evidence someone receives disability payments is not evidence of total and permanent disability. The certifier must determine that you meet the definition in G.S. 105-277.1(b)(4).
Can I use this form for the disabled veteran property tax exclusion?
No. The form says not to use it for the Disabled Veteran Exclusion (G.S. 105-277.1C), a different program. You must obtain a veteran's disability certification directly from the appropriate federal agency.
Where do I send the Certification of Disability?
The form says to mail it to Wake County Tax Administration, P.O. Box 2331, Raleigh NC 27602. The county page also lists email to [email protected], hand delivery at 301 S. McDowell St., Suite 3800, Raleigh, and online upload with the application.
What is the deadline for submitting it?
The county's deadline to apply is June 1, and the certification travels with the application. Late applications may be considered through the end of 2026 for reasons such as illness, hospitalization, a death in the family or military deployment.
Do I have to give my Social Security number?
Yes. The form states that SSN disclosure is mandatory for approval of the Property Tax Exclusion under G.S. 105-277.1 and is used to identify the applicant. It says the SSN and income tax information are kept confidential.
Can I fill out the Certification of Disability online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent, is not connected to Wake County and does not submit the form; you send it through the county's channels.
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