Understanding the Historic $250,000 Florida Homestead Property Tax Cut Proposal

Will Florida homeowners get a bigger property tax exemption?

If voters approve HJR 1-F (Amendment 3 on the ballot) this November, eligible homeowners will see their homestead exemption on non-school property taxes jump to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. The Florida Senate passed the resolution on June 2, 2026, and because it’s a proposed constitutional amendment, it now goes to voters on the November 2026 General Election ballot. For Central Florida homeowners and buyers, it could be one of the biggest changes to the cost of owning a home in years.

How Does the Super Homestead Exemption Work?

If approved by Florida voters this fall, the amendment will roll out a "super homestead exemption" over a two-year period beginning next year:

• January 1, 2027: The homestead exemption for non-school levies will initially rise from $51,411 to $150,000.
• January 1, 2028: The exemption will increase to the full $250,000, adjusting upward for inflation annually thereafter.

To reward longtime Florida residents, the full $250,000 super exemption will apply immediately to homeowners who establish residency in the state on or before December 31, 2026. Individuals moving to Florida after this date will receive a $50,000 homestead exemption for their first four years, transitioning to the full $250,000 super exemption afterward.

Will This Hurt Schools and Local Services?

A common question buyers ask when major tax cuts are proposed is how it affects local infrastructure, community safety, and neighborhood schools. HJR 1-F was explicitly designed to safeguard these essential local functions.

First, the $250,000 exemption does not apply to school board taxes, ensuring that educational funding remains protected. Second, the legislation requires municipalities and county governments to prioritize remaining property tax revenues for vital public services, including:

• Public Safety: Protecting funding for local law enforcement, fire protection, and emergency medical services.
• Infrastructure: Ensuring continuous funding for local road and bridge maintenance, municipal stormwater control, and flood prevention projects.
• Local Government Operations: Satisfying bond obligations, protecting retirement benefits for local government employees, and funding core city and county administrative operations.

Additionally, the amendment aims to protect local businesses from bearing the financial brunt of this homeowner relief by capping annual non-residential property assessment increases at 5% (down from the current 10% limit) starting in 2027.

What Could This Mean for Central Florida Real Estate?

This amendment represents a significant stepping stone, establishing a legislative framework for local governments to potentially provide further ad valorem relief, up to the full elimination of property taxes over time.

Whether you are looking to purchase a home in DeLand or considering selling a property in West Volusia, this upcoming ballot measure could significantly impact future residential market dynamics. For more details on the resolution text, visit the official Florida Senate website. Stay tuned for more local real estate market updates and community insight. Here's an FAQ put out by the Volusia County Property Appraiser.