Addendum 3 Passed What do I Need to Know?

Florida Amendment 3 Passed: 2027 Property Tax Guide for Agents
JG JGRESJoaquin Gutierrez Real Estate School

JGRES Study Notes • Florida Property Tax • November 2026

Florida Amendment 3 Passed: The 2027 Property Tax Changes Every Agent Should Know

The homestead exemption rises to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. Here are the rules, the key terms and the client answers, organized the way we teach them.

Quick answer

Florida Amendment 3 passed on November 3, 2026 with about 62% of the vote (unofficial). Starting January 1, 2027, it raises the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, then indexes it to inflation. It cuts the non-homestead assessment cap from 10% to 5%. School taxes do not change.

~62%Voter approval (60% needed)
$250KNon-school homestead exemption in 2028
10% → 5%Non-homestead annual cap
Jan 1, 2027Effective date

Amendment 3 at a glance

  • Official ballot title: Increased Homestead Exemption; Lower Cap on Increases in Non-Homestead Property Assessments (CS/HJR 1-F).
  • Passed by the Legislature: June 2026 special session.
  • Approved by voters: November 3, 2026, about 62% yes (unofficial results).
  • Takes effect: January 1, 2027. First affected tax bills: November 2027. 2026 bills follow existing law.
  • Who benefits most: Florida homestead owners who were residents on or before December 31, 2026.
  • Projected cost to local governments: about $11.86 billion a year once fully implemented, per a Florida House analysis.

The finer points

  1. Non-school homestead exemption goes up.It becomes $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. From 2029 it is adjusted for inflation. It applies to county, city and special district taxes.
  2. School taxes do not change.The school tax exemption stays at $25,000. School taxes are usually a large part of the bill, so the bill does not drop by the full exemption amount. A homestead assessed at $250,000 or less in 2028 would owe school taxes only.
  3. Non-homestead cap is cut in half.Rentals, second homes and commercial property: the annual cap on assessment increases drops from 10% to 5%. School taxes on non-homestead property are still levied on full market value, and a sale or change of control still resets the assessment to market value.
  4. New residents wait five years.A person who was not a Florida resident on December 31, 2026 starts with a $50,000 non-school exemption, adjusted for inflation beginning in 2028. The increased exemption begins in their fifth year of exemption.
  5. Local governments can go further.The Legislature must set a uniform procedure so counties and cities can raise their homestead exemptions, up to full assessed value. Special districts may do the same with a referendum.
  6. Local spending is limited.County and city property tax revenue must be used for listed purposes: public safety, education and schools, infrastructure, natural resources, bond debt service, employee retirement benefits, and operations and administration.
  7. Save Our Homes and portability stay.The 3% Save Our Homes cap on homestead property is not affected, and the Leon County Property Appraiser states portability provisions do not change.

Current law vs. Amendment 3

ItemCurrent law (2026)Amendment 3
Homestead exemption, school taxes$25,000$25,000 (no change)
Homestead exemption, non-school taxesUp to $51,411 (2026 maximum)$150,000 (2027), $250,000 (2028), inflation-indexed from 2029
Homestead annual assessment cap (Save Our Homes)3% or CPI, whichever is lowerNo change
Non-homestead annual assessment cap10%5%
School taxes on non-homestead propertyFull market valueFull market value (no change)
New residents after Dec 31, 2026Full exemption on qualifying$50,000 non-school exemption first; higher exemption starts in year 5
County and city use of property tax revenueNo constitutional listLimited to listed purposes

Example: taxable value on a $400,000 assessed homestead

YearSchool taxable valueNon-school taxable value
2026 (current law, rounded)$375,000about $350,000
2027$375,000$250,000
2028$375,000$150,000

Illustration only. It assumes a Florida resident who qualified for homestead on or before December 31, 2026 and holds the same assessed value each year. Actual savings depend on local millage rates, which each county, city and special district sets every year.

Key terms to master

Assessed value
The value the property appraiser uses after any caps are applied. It can be lower than market value.
Taxable value
Assessed value minus exemptions. Millage rates are applied to this number.
Homestead exemption
A reduction in taxable value for an owner's permanent Florida residence.
Millage rate
The tax rate per $1,000 of taxable value. One mill equals $1 per $1,000.
Save Our Homes
The cap that limits annual assessment increases on homestead property to 3% or CPI, whichever is lower.
Portability
Lets a homestead owner transfer up to $500,000 of Save Our Homes benefit to a new Florida homestead.
Voice search

"Does Amendment 3 lower my school taxes?"

No. Amendment 3 only raises the exemption for non-school taxes, meaning county, city and special district taxes. The school tax exemption stays at $25,000.

Agent talking points
  • Residency date matters, not purchase date. Ask out-of-state buyers when they will become Florida residents. Do not promise the higher exemption.
  • Lower taxable value does not guarantee a lower bill. Millage rates are set locally and can change.
  • Investors still benefit. The 5% cap slows assessment growth on rentals and second homes until the next sale.
  • Send tax-specific questions to the source. Refer clients to their county property appraiser and their tax professional.

Check your understanding

1. A homestead owner who qualified in 2025 has an assessed value of $300,000 in 2028. What is the non-school taxable value?

$50,000. $300,000 minus the $250,000 non-school exemption. School taxable value is $275,000 ($300,000 minus $25,000).

2. A buyer moves to Florida in March 2027 and files for homestead. When does the higher exemption start?

In the fifth year of exemption. Until then, the owner receives a $50,000 non-school exemption, adjusted for inflation beginning in 2028.

3. An investor's rental is assessed at $500,000. Under Amendment 3, what is the most the assessment can rise next year without a sale?

5%, or $25,000. Under prior law the cap was 10%. School taxes on that rental are still based on full market value.

Frequently asked questions

When does Florida Amendment 3 take effect?

Amendment 3 takes effect January 1, 2027. The first property tax bills that reflect the change are the bills mailed in November 2027. 2026 tax bills follow existing law.

Does Amendment 3 lower school property taxes?

No. The new exemption applies to non-school taxes only (county, city and special district taxes). The school tax exemption stays at $25,000.

My client moves to Florida in 2027. Do they get the $150,000 or $250,000 exemption?

Not right away. A person who was not a Florida resident on December 31, 2026 starts with a $50,000 non-school exemption, adjusted for inflation beginning in 2028. The increased exemption begins in their fifth year of exemption. Residency date matters, not purchase date.

How does Amendment 3 affect rentals, second homes and commercial property?

Non-homestead property does not get the homestead exemption. The annual cap on assessment increases for non-homestead property drops from 10% to 5%. School taxes on non-homestead property are still levied on full market value, and non-homestead property is still reassessed at market value after a change of ownership or control.

Does Amendment 3 change Save Our Homes or portability?

The 3% Save Our Homes cap on homestead property is not affected. The Leon County Property Appraiser states the amendment does not change Florida's portability provisions. Confirm any specific portability question with the county property appraiser.

Will every homeowner's tax bill go down?

Not guaranteed. The exemption lowers taxable value, but each county, city and special district still sets its own millage rate. The final bill depends on those local decisions.

Can a county or city give a bigger exemption than $250,000?

Yes, under a procedure the Legislature must set. Counties and municipalities may raise their homestead exemptions up to the full assessed value. Special districts may do the same with referendum approval.

Will Amendment 3 be on the Florida real estate exam?

Exam content and course materials are updated on their own schedule, so study what your approved course teaches for the exam. In practice, clients will ask about the new rules starting now, so learn both. Ask your instructor if you are unsure which version applies to your exam date.

Is the 62% result final?

The roughly 62% figure is from unofficial results reported on election night, November 3, 2026. It is above the 60% required. Official certification follows the canvass.

Keep building your knowledge

Property tax, homestead and assessment rules are core material in Florida licensing. Get the foundation in the 63-Hour Pre-License Course, sharpen it in Post-Licensing, or stay current with the 14-Hour Continuing Education course. See every program on the Courses page.

Have a question about Amendment 3 or your license?

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Confirm directly with your broker or office administrator before acting. This post is general education, not tax or legal advice. Figures are based on the ballot summary and public reporting as of November 5, 2026. Implementing legislation may affect how the amendment is applied. Refer clients to their county property appraiser and a tax professional for their specific situation.