Proposed Property Tax Amendment, Amendment 3
Florida voters will decide on this proposed constitutional amendment on November 3, 2026.
Important Notice: The Seminole County Property Appraiser’s Office does not support or oppose any constitutional amendment, ballot measure, candidate, or political campaign. This information is provided solely to explain the proposed amendment and how Florida’s property tax system could change if the amendment is approved by Florida voters. Current Florida property tax laws remain in effect unless and until the amendment is approved by at least 60% of Florida voters.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the proposed constitutional amendment?
The Florida Legislature has proposed a constitutional amendment that would make several changes to Florida’s property tax system, including:
• Increasing the homestead exemption for qualifying properties.
• Reducing the assessment limitation for non-homestead properties.
• Establishing additional residency-related provisions for certain homestead benefits.
The amendment will appear on the November 3, 2026 General Election ballot.
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.
When will voters decide the amendment?
Florida voters will consider the amendment during the November 3, 2026 General Election.
What percentage of voters is required for approval?
Constitutional amendments in Florida require approval by at least 60% of voters.
When would the amendment take effect?
If approved by voters, the amendment would take effect January 1, 2027 and would first be reflected on the tax bills issued in November 2027.
What changes are proposed for homestead property?
The amendment proposes replacing the current homestead exemption structure for qualifying homestead property with:
• A $25,000 exemption applied to school millages.
• Up to $150,000 beginning January 1, 2027 to non-school millages.
• Up to $250,000 beginning January 1, 2028 to non-school millages.
• Annual CPI adjustments to the maximum exemption amount beginning January 1, 2029.
Property owners that are permanent Florida residents as of December 31, 2026, would be eligible for the larger exemption amounts beginning in 2027, subject to the requirements of the Florida Constitution.
What if I become a Florida resident on January 1, 2027 or later?
The amendment establishes a different exemption structure for individuals who become Florida residents on or after January 1, 2027.
Under the proposal, individuals who establish Florida residency on or after January 1, 2027, would begin with the exemption amount established for new Florida residents ($50,000, adjusted annually by CPI beginning in 2028).
After maintaining a Florida homestead exemption for four years, the property owner would become eligible for the larger homestead exemption beginning January 1 of the fifth year.
Additional administrative procedures may be established through implementing legislation.
Would the proposed exemption apply to school taxes?
No. Only the first $25,000 of assessed value of a homestead property would remain exempt from school taxes, consistent with current law.
Therefore, most property owners would continue to receive a tax bill that includes school taxes.
Would Save Our Homes change?
The amendment does not eliminate or replace Save Our Homes.
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?
No, the amendment does not change Florida’s portability provisions.
Would widow/widower, senior, veteran, and disability exemptions change?
No, the amendment does not change existing personal exemptions.
What is a non-homestead property?
A non-homestead property is any property that does not receive a homestead exemption.
Examples include rental property, commercial property, second homes, and vacant land.
What change is proposed for non-homestead property?
The amendment proposes reducing the annual assessment limitation from 10% to 5%.
A lower assessment limitation may slow future assessed value growth for qualifying non-homestead property.
Please note this assessment limitation only impacts non-school millages. School taxes would still continue to be uncapped and based on Just/Market Value.
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.
Could millage (tax) 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.
The Florida Legislature has proposed a constitutional amendment that would make several changes to Florida’s property tax system, including:
• Increasing the homestead exemption for qualifying properties.
• Reducing the assessment limitation for non-homestead properties.
• Establishing additional residency-related provisions for certain homestead benefits.
The amendment will appear on the November 3, 2026 General Election ballot.
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.
Florida voters will consider the amendment during the November 3, 2026 General Election.
Constitutional amendments in Florida require approval by at least 60% of voters.
If approved by voters, the amendment would take effect January 1, 2027 and would first be reflected on the tax bills issued in November 2027.
The amendment proposes replacing the current homestead exemption structure for qualifying homestead property with:
• A $25,000 exemption applied to school millages.
• Up to $150,000 beginning January 1, 2027 to non-school millages.
• Up to $250,000 beginning January 1, 2028 to non-school millages.
• Annual CPI adjustments to the maximum exemption amount beginning January 1, 2029.
Property owners that are permanent Florida residents as of December 31, 2026, would be eligible for the larger exemption amounts beginning in 2027, subject to the requirements of the Florida Constitution.
The amendment establishes a different exemption structure for individuals who become Florida residents on or after January 1, 2027.
Under the proposal, individuals who establish Florida residency on or after January 1, 2027, would begin with the exemption amount established for new Florida residents ($50,000, adjusted annually by CPI beginning in 2028).
After maintaining a Florida homestead exemption for four years, the property owner would become eligible for the larger homestead exemption beginning January 1 of the fifth year.
Additional administrative procedures may be established through implementing legislation.
No. Only the first $25,000 of assessed value of a homestead property would remain exempt from school taxes, consistent with current law.
Therefore, most property owners would continue to receive a tax bill that includes school taxes.
The amendment does not eliminate or replace Save Our Homes.
Annual assessment increases for qualifying homestead property would continue to be limited to 3% or CPI, whichever is less, as provided by law.
No, the amendment does not change Florida’s portability provisions.
No, the amendment does not change existing personal exemptions.
A non-homestead property is any property that does not receive a homestead exemption.
Examples include rental property, commercial property, second homes, and vacant land.
The amendment proposes reducing the annual assessment limitation from 10% to 5%.
A lower assessment limitation may slow future assessed value growth for qualifying non-homestead property.
Please note this assessment limitation only impacts non-school millages. School taxes would still continue to be uncapped and based on Just/Market Value.
No, property taxes would continue to be levied by local governments, school districts, and other taxing authorities.
Yes, school district taxes would continue.
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.
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.
