Florida voters will decide in November whether to make major changes to the way property taxes are calculated for homeowners and other property owners statewide.
Amendment 3, titled “Increased Homestead Exemption; Lower Cap on Increases in Non-Homestead Property Assessments,” is set to appear on the Nov. 3, 2026, General Election ballot. Read the full amendment HERE.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
News 6 and the News Collaborative of Central Florida are inviting Central Floridians to join the conversation.
From 8–9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, News 6 will host a live, primetime Community Conversation: Property Taxes. The event will feature panelists with differing perspectives, community members and questions submitted by viewers.
Submit your questions by CLICKING HERE for a chance to have them addressed during the live Community Conversation.
If approved, Amendment 3 would make two major changes to Florida’s Constitution.
For qualifying homeowners, the proposal would increase the homestead exemption applied to non-school property taxes. Homeowners who establish permanent residency by Dec. 31, 2026, could receive an exemption of up to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. Starting in 2029, the amount would be adjusted when inflation is positive.
The larger exemption would not apply to school district property taxes. As a result, it would not reduce the portion of a homeowner’s tax bill that supports local school districts.
The amendment also outlines rules for people who become Florida residents beginning in 2027. These homeowners would initially receive the existing homestead exemption and generally would need to qualify for homestead status for five years before becoming eligible for the increased exemption, subject to the provisions in the proposed constitutional amendment.
The second change would affect certain non-homestead properties, including residential and nonresidential property that does not qualify for the homestead exemption.
Assessed-value increases for those properties are currently generally capped at 10% per year. Amendment 3 would reduce that limit to 5%, slowing the rate at which their taxable assessed values could rise.
The proposal also contains provisions governing how counties and municipalities use property-tax revenue, including money for public safety, infrastructure, government operations and other local responsibilities.
Together, the provisions have fueled a wider debate over Florida’s property-tax system: how much property owners pay and how changes in that revenue could affect local governments and the services they provide.
If voters approve Amendment 3, the constitutional changes would take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
What questions do you have?
News 6 and the News Collaborative of Central Florida are giving Central Floridians an opportunity to take part in the discussion.
The live, primetime Community Conversation: Property Taxes will air Monday, Sept. 28, from 8–9 p.m. The program will bring together panelists with different viewpoints, community members and questions submitted by viewers.
What could Amendment 3 mean for your property-tax bill? How might it affect renters, businesses and local services? And what should voters know before heading to the polls?
We want to hear from you. Submit your questions by clicking here for a chance to have them included in the live Community Conversation.
