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Proposed 2026 Florida Property Tax Amendment 3
The Polk County Property Appraiser's Office does not support, endorse, or oppose and political campaign, candidate, amendment, or ballot measure.
The information provided below and on our printable
PCPA Flyer is strictly for educational purposes, outlining potential changes to property assessments and exemptions based on proposed Florida constitutional amendment
CS/HJR 1-F (Amendment 3).
Current Florida property tax laws will remain in effect unless the amendment is approved by at least 60% of voters.
Note: Click on the
to show additional information.
How Could the Amendment Affect Different Property Owners?
Property Owner Type
Potential Effects
First-Time & Recent Homesteaders
A larger homestead exemption may reduce future non-school property taxes. Because recent buyers often have taxable values closer to market value, they may be more likely to receive the full benefit of the proposed new, larger homestead exemption.
Existing Homestead Owners
A larger homestead exemption may reduce or, in some cases, eliminate taxable value subject to non-school taxes. Impact will vary depending on existing Save Our Homes
(SOH) benefits and other exemptions.
New Florida Residents (On or After January 1, 2027)
The homestead exemption would begin with the amount established for new Florida residents ($50,000, adjusted annually by CPI beginning in 2028). The new, larger homestead exemption would become available after maintaining a Florida homestead exemption for four years and would first apply beginning January 1 of the fifth year.
Fully Exempt Owners (100%)
Because these owners already receive substantial or complete ad valorem tax exemptions, they would not likely experience a direct benefit.
Non-Homestead Residential & Commercial Owners
These owners may benefit from the reduction of the non-homestead assessment limitation from 10% to 5%, which may slow future assessed value growth. However, the reduction from 10% to 5% only caps assessed value, not taxes. School taxes would continue to be uncapped and based on just market value.
Important: The proposed homestead exemption and assessment limitation changes affect taxable value, not tax rates. Future property tax bills may also be affected by changes to millage rates, non-ad valorem assessments, and fees established by taxing authorities.
Save Our Homes and Existing Exemptions
Would Save Our Homes change?
The amendment does not eliminate or replace Save Our Homes (SOH).
Annual assessment increases for qualifying homestead property would continue to be limited to 3% or CPI, whichever is less, as provided by law.
Would portability change?
The amendment does not change Florida’s portability provisions.
Would widow/widower, senior, veteran, and disability exemptions change?
The amendment does not change existing personal exemptions.
Property Taxes and Local Government Funding
Does the amendment eliminate property taxes?
No.
Property taxes would continue to be levied by local governments, school districts, and other taxing authorities.
Would school taxes continue?
Yes.
School district taxes would continue.
Is public safety funding protected under this amendment?
No.
The amendment does not guarantee any specific funding level for law enforcement, fire protection, EMS, or other governmental services. Funding decisions would continue to be made through the annual budget processes of the applicable taxing authorities.
What will the impacts be to local taxing authorities?
Impacts to counties, cities and other taxing authorities will vary based on taxable values, percent of homestead versus non-homestead properties, and whether millage rates change or not. If interested in learning more, we recommend contacting your local taxing authorities.
Could millage rates change in the future?
Yes.
Taxing authorities establish millage rates annually through the budget process. Future millage rates are determined by those taxing authorities in accordance with Florida law.
Could non-ad valorem assessments change?
Yes.
Future assessments may increase, decrease, expire, or be newly adopted depending on actions taken by the governmental entities that impose them.
Would the new, larger homestead exemption apply to non-ad valorem assessments?
No.
Homestead exemptions reduce taxable value for ad valorem taxation but do not reduce non-ad valorem assessments.
What will the Notice of Proposed Property Tax look like in 2027 if the amendment passes?
Under current law, the Notice of Proposed Property tax (aka Truth in Millage or TRIM notice) includes a column showing the estimated taxes that would be generated if a taxing authority adopted the rolled-back rate—the millage rate that would generate approximately the same property tax revenue as the prior year, excluding new construction.
Because the proposed amendment would substantially reduce taxable value for many homestead properties, that calculation would instead produce what is effectively a "rolled-up rate." This would represent the highest millage rate a taxing authority could adopt without exceeding the prior year's property tax revenue (excluding new construction) and would remain subject to the voting requirements established by Florida law.
Whether a taxing authority ultimately adopts the rolled-up rate, a lower millage rate, or another rate permitted by law will depend on the fiscal impacts of the amendment and the budget decisions made by its elected or appointed governing board.
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