Florida Property Tax Elimination: What Is Actually on the 2026 Ballot, What Changes, and What Homeowners Should Do Now
Florida property taxes have not been eliminated yet. The current issue is a 2026 constitutional amendment titled Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes. This guide explains the official ballot status, what “elimination” means in the proposal, what still applies today, how Florida property tax is calculated now, and the practical steps homeowners should take before voting or skipping a tax payment.
Has Florida eliminated property taxes?
No. Florida property tax elimination is a 2026 ballot proposal, not a current tax-payment rule. Property owners should still pay current tax bills, file exemptions, read TRIM notices and meet appeal deadlines under existing Florida law.
Fast answer board
- 1Do I still pay my tax bill? Yes. Current Florida property tax bills remain enforceable until a voter-approved change becomes effective.
- 2Is this full elimination today? No. The official 2026 ballot proposal is not a current exemption on your county bill.
- 3What is on the ballot? Ballot Number 3, titled Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes.
- 4Who gets the proposed benefit first? The official summary focuses on homestead property and includes a five-year residency rule for people who establish Florida residency after January 1, 2027.
- 5What should homeowners do now? File homestead by March 1, review TRIM notices in August, appeal on time if needed, and pay the tax collector bill when due.
Official live-task links
What Florida Ballot 3 says in plain English
The official state database lists the proposal as active for the 2026 election. The name is Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes. It is not simply “all property taxes end tomorrow.”
| Official Item | What It Means for Readers | Practical Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Status: Active | The state record shows the amendment is active for the 2026 election cycle. | Track official ballot updates before writing or voting. |
| Made Ballot: 06/16/2026 | The proposal reached ballot status on June 16, 2026. | It is no longer just a discussion draft. |
| Ballot Number: 3 | Voters should look for Ballot 3 language in 2026 election materials. | Verify the exact ballot wording, not social media summaries. |
| First $250,000 homestead value | The official summary says this amount would be exempt from all levies other than school district levies. | School taxes are not treated the same as non-school taxes. |
| Schedule for full elimination | The summary says general law would require a schedule for full elimination. | Details may depend on later implementing legislation. |
| Five-year rule for new residents | People establishing Florida residency after January 1, 2027 would have to maintain Florida residency for five years before receiving the increased exemption. | Current homeowners and future movers may be treated differently. |
It targets homestead property
The most direct homeowner benefit is tied to homestead property, not vacation homes, rentals or all business property.
It excludes school levies
The official summary says the $250,000 exemption applies to levies other than school district levies.
It needs 60% approval
Florida constitutional amendments require at least 60% approval from voters to pass.
What the proposal could change — and what it does not automatically change
A useful article should separate confirmed ballot text from assumptions. The proposal would not instantly erase every property-related charge, every school levy, or every local government funding question.
| Question | Plain-English Answer | What to Tell Homeowners |
|---|---|---|
| Would all Florida property taxes disappear? | Not immediately from the official summary alone. | It proposes a $250,000 non-school homestead exemption and a schedule for full elimination through general law. |
| Would school taxes disappear? | The official summary treats school district levies separately. | Expect school tax lines to remain important unless official final law says otherwise. |
| Would renters get a direct exemption? | The ballot summary focuses on homestead property owners. | Renters may be affected indirectly through local budgets, rents or services, but direct benefit is not the same as a homestead exemption. |
| Would businesses be affected? | Yes, but differently. | The summary says it limits future property tax assessments on businesses. |
| Would county bills change for 2026? | No automatic 2026 bill cancellation. | The official summary says if approved, the amendment would take effect January 1, 2027. |
How Florida property tax works today
Until the amendment passes and takes effect, homeowners still use the existing Florida system: property appraiser value, exemptions, taxable value, millage rates, TRIM notice, tax collector bill and VAB appeal route.
Property appraiser
Handles just value, assessed value, exemptions, Save Our Homes, portability, ownership records and property details.
Taxing authorities
County, city, school district and special districts set millage rates through budget and TRIM hearing processes.
Tax collector
Sends the November tax bill, accepts payment, handles early-payment discounts, deferrals and delinquency/tax certificate steps.
Value Adjustment Board
Hears appeals about assessed value, denied exemptions, classifications, deferrals, portability decisions and certain ownership/control issues.
| Current Florida Step | Official Timing | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment date | January 1 | Confirm ownership, residency and property details. |
| Exemption filing | March 1 | File homestead, portability or classification with your county property appraiser. |
| Tangible personal property | April 1 | Business owners file DR-405 return if required. |
| TRIM notice | August | Review proposed value, exemptions, millage and hearing dates. |
| Value appeal | 25 days after TRIM notice | File VAB petition if value, exemption or classification is wrong. |
| Tax bill | November | Pay county tax collector; early-payment discounts may apply. |
| Delinquency | April 1 | Unpaid taxes can become delinquent and tax certificates may be sold. |
How to estimate Florida property tax now vs. possible proposal impact
Do not estimate savings by subtracting your entire bill. Florida bills usually include school taxes, non-school taxes, exemptions, Save Our Homes limits and sometimes non-ad valorem assessments.
Current Florida property tax formula
Current rule: Assessed value equals just value minus assessment limits. Taxable value equals assessed value minus exemptions. Total tax liability equals taxable value multiplied by millage rate.
| Bill Line | Current Meaning | Why Proposal Estimates Are Tricky |
|---|---|---|
| School taxes | Taxes levied by school district | The proposal summary excludes school district levies from the $250,000 non-school exemption. |
| County / city taxes | Non-school ad valorem taxes | These are the main lines homeowners may look at for proposed non-school relief. |
| Special district taxes | Fire, water, mosquito, drainage or other district levies | Check whether each line is school, non-school ad valorem or non-ad valorem assessment. |
| Non-ad valorem assessments | Unit-based charges, not value-based tax | These may not disappear just because ad valorem homestead rules change. |
| Save Our Homes | Assessment limitation for qualified homestead property | It affects assessed value, not a direct dollar-for-dollar payment credit. |
What Florida homeowners should do before the 2026 vote
Even if you support property tax elimination, the highest-value actions today are still local: file homestead, verify Save Our Homes, check portability, read your TRIM notice and avoid late payment.
1
File or verify homestead exemption
Current benefit still matters.
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Use your county property appraiser’s website. Florida’s Department of Revenue says homestead exemption can reduce taxable value by as much as $50,000 and qualifies the home for Save Our Homes assessment limitation.
2
Check Save Our Homes and portability
Especially if you bought, sold or moved.
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If you moved from a previous Florida homestead, ask your county property appraiser about portability. The existing system may let you transfer all or part of the assessment difference to a new Florida homestead if you qualify.
3
Read the August TRIM notice
This is where you see proposed value and rates before the bill.
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Your TRIM notice shows proposed property values, exemptions, proposed millage and public hearing information. This is the best time to challenge value, review exemptions and speak at budget/millage hearings.
4
Appeal before the deadline
Do not wait for the November bill.
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For value appeals, Florida’s Department of Revenue says property owners generally file VAB petitions within 25 days of the TRIM notice. For denied exemptions, classifications, portability or deferrals, the deadline can be tied to the denial letter.
5
Pay the tax collector bill
A proposal is not a tax bill cancellation.
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Tax collectors generally send bills in November. Florida’s current system provides early-payment discounts of 4% in November, 3% in December, 2% in January and 1% in February. Unpaid taxes become delinquent on April 1.
How to evaluate Florida property tax elimination before voting
A useful voter checklist should focus on your actual bill, your county services and the final ballot text — not only the headline phrase “eliminate property taxes.”
| Before Voting, Check | How to Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Official ballot text | Florida Department of State amendment database | Social posts may simplify or exaggerate the proposal. |
| Your school vs non-school tax lines | County tax bill | The official summary treats school district levies separately. |
| Homestead status | County property appraiser | The proposal is built around homestead property benefits. |
| New-resident rule | Official summary and final text | People establishing residency after January 1, 2027 may need five years before receiving the increased exemption. |
| Local service funding | County/city budget hearings and impact statements | The summary says remaining property taxes must be used for core needs like public safety, schools, infrastructure and natural resources. |
Where Florida homeowners handle property tax tasks
Property tax is statewide law with county administration. Use your county property appraiser for value/exemption, your county tax collector for bills/payment, and your county clerk/VAB process for appeals.
Florida Department of Revenue property tax oversight
The Florida Department of Revenue provides statewide guidance, but live bills and local exemptions are handled county by county.
Official Florida property tax elimination and property tax resources
Use these for live verification. This guide summarizes the practical steps, but official state and county sources control ballot status, tax bills, exemptions, appeals and payment rules.
Florida property tax elimination FAQs
Short answers for homeowners, voters, buyers, renters and property owners trying to understand the 2026 Florida property tax proposal.
QHas Florida eliminated property taxes?▾
No. Florida property taxes have not been eliminated yet. The 2026 issue is a proposed constitutional amendment. Current bills, exemptions, appeal deadlines and payment rules still apply.
QWhat is Florida Ballot 3?▾
Ballot 3 is the official 2026 ballot number listed for Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes. The official state record says it was made ballot on June 16, 2026.
QWould the proposal eliminate school taxes?▾
The official summary says the first $250,000 of homestead value would be exempt from all levies other than school district levies. That means school taxes are treated separately.
QWhen would the amendment take effect?▾
The official summary says that if approved, the amendment would take effect January 1, 2027.
QHow many votes are required?▾
Florida constitutional amendments require at least 60% approval from voters to pass.
QShould I still file homestead exemption?▾
Yes. Current Florida homestead exemption, Save Our Homes and portability rules still matter. File with your county property appraiser by the applicable deadline.
QShould I still pay my property tax bill?▾
Yes. A ballot proposal is not a tax bill cancellation. Tax collectors still send bills, accept payment, apply discounts and enforce delinquency rules under current law.
QHow do I estimate the possible savings?▾
Separate your bill into school taxes, non-school ad valorem taxes and non-ad valorem assessments. The official summary focuses on non-school homestead exemption, so do not subtract the entire bill unless final law clearly supports it.
QWho handles property tax appeals?▾
Florida value adjustment boards hear petitions about property value assessments, denied exemptions or classifications, tax deferrals, portability decisions and certain ownership/control issues.
QIs PropertyTaxUSA.org official?▾
No. PropertyTaxUSA.org is an independent informational guide. Verify ballot status, tax bills, exemptions, deadlines and appeal rules with official Florida and county sources.
Bottom line
Florida property tax elimination is not in effect today. The active 2026 proposal is Ballot 3, Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes. It would need at least 60% voter approval, and the official summary says it would take effect January 1, 2027 if approved.
Until then, use the current Florida workflow: file homestead with the county property appraiser → review the August TRIM notice → appeal through VAB if needed → pay the county tax collector bill when due.
Independent guide notice: This page is not the Florida Department of State, Florida Department of Revenue, a county property appraiser, a county tax collector, a value adjustment board, a political committee or legal/tax advice. Official state and county sources control ballot text, filing deadlines, tax bills, payment status, exemptions and appeal rules.