Florida has no statewide property tax rate—your rate depends on your county and what your property is worth

Florida does not set a single property tax rate for the entire state. Instead, each county collects property taxes at its own rate, which means your bill depends on where your home or land sits. The rate is expressed as a millage rate—the amount you pay per $1,000 of assessed property value. A county with a 10 mill rate means you pay $10 in tax for every $1,000 your property is worth.

Millage rates vary widely across Florida's 67 counties. Some counties charge as low as 6 to 7 mills, while others go above 12 mills. Your actual tax bill also depends on the assessed value of your property, which the county appraiser determines each year, and on exemptions you may receive—such as the homestead exemption if you live in the home as your primary residence.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida counties set their own millage rates, ranging from roughly 6 to 12 mills per $1,000 of assessed value, so your rate depends on your county.
  • Your property tax bill is calculated by multiplying your property's assessed value by your county's millage rate, then subtracting any exemptions you receive.
  • The homestead exemption reduces your assessed value by $50,000 if you own and live in the home as your primary residence, lowering your tax bill automatically.
  • County property appraiser offices publish their current millage rates online, and you can find your specific rate by contacting your county or checking your property tax bill.
  • Property values are reassessed each year, so your tax bill can change even if the millage rate stays the same.

How millage rates are set and why they differ by county

Each county's board of county commissioners and school board vote on their millage rates during the budget process, usually in the summer. The rates fund local services: schools, roads, fire departments, libraries, and county administration. Counties with higher service costs or lower property values tend to charge higher millage rates to raise the same amount of revenue.

A county's millage rate is public information. You can find your county's current rate by visiting your county property appraiser's website or calling the appraiser's office directly. The appraiser's office also publishes the rate on property tax bills and in public notices before the rates take effect.

How your property tax bill is actually calculated

Your property tax bill follows a straightforward formula: assessed value multiplied by millage rate, minus exemptions. If your home is assessed at $300,000 and your county's millage rate is 10 mills, the calculation before exemptions is $300,000 × 0.010 = $3,000 per year.

However, if you own and live in the home as your primary residence, you likely receive the homestead exemption, which reduces your assessed value by $50,000. With the homestead exemption, your taxable value becomes $250,000, and your bill drops to $250,000 × 0.010 = $2,500 per year. You must file for the homestead exemption with your county property appraiser—it does not happen automatically, though many counties now allow online filing.

Other exemptions exist for seniors, disabled persons, and veterans, each reducing your assessed value further. The property appraiser's office can tell you which exemptions you may receive.

Why your property tax bill changes year to year

Even if your county's millage rate stays the same, your tax bill can increase or decrease because the county appraiser reassesses property values every year. The appraiser looks at recent sales of similar homes, the condition of your property, and market trends to set a new assessed value. If your neighborhood's property values rise, your assessed value usually rises too, and your tax bill goes up.

Florida law limits how much the assessed value can increase in a single year through something called Save Our Homes (also called the assessment cap). If you own your home as your primary residence and have the homestead exemption, your assessed value cannot jump more than 3 percent per year, even if the market value of your home rises faster. This cap resets to market value if you sell the home or lose the homestead exemption.

If you believe your assessed value is too high, you can file a formal challenge called a property tax appeal with your county property appraiser's office. The important date is usually in the spring, and the process is free.

Finding your county's specific millage rate

To find out what rate applies to your property, start with your most recent property tax bill—it lists your county's millage rate and your assessed value. You can also visit your county property appraiser's website and search for your address, which usually shows the assessed value and the rate applied.

If you do not have a recent bill or cannot find the information online, call your county property appraiser's office. The appraiser is an elected official in each county, and their office is responsible for assessing property and answering questions about tax rates. You can find the phone number by searching "[your county name] property appraiser" online.

How homestead exemption and other breaks reduce your bill

The homestead exemption is the most common tax break in Florida. It applies automatically to the first $50,000 of assessed value if you own and live in the home as your primary residence. You must file for it once, and it continues year to year unless you move or sell the property.

Additional exemptions are available. Homeowners age 65 or older may receive an extra $50,000 exemption (for a total of $100,000 off the assessed value). Disabled homeowners and disabled veterans may receive exemptions as well. Surviving spouses of veterans killed in action may also receive a break. Each exemption must be filed separately with the property appraiser, and you will need to provide proof—such as a birth certificate for age, a disability information letter, or military discharge papers.

What affects whether your rate goes up or down

Your millage rate can change if your county's budget needs change. If a county builds new schools or expands fire services, the commissioners may raise the millage rate to pay for them. If a county's property values rise significantly, the commissioners might lower the rate because they collect the same total revenue from a lower rate applied to higher values.

The state legislature also influences rates through laws that cap or adjust how counties can tax. For example, the Save Our Homes assessment cap limits how fast values can rise for homestead properties, which affects how much revenue counties collect and may force them to raise rates to make up the difference.

You can attend county commission meetings or school board meetings during budget season (usually June through August) to hear about proposed rate changes. These meetings are open to the public, and the proposed rates are published in local newspapers and on county websites before they are voted on.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average property tax rate in Florida?

Florida's millage rates vary by county from roughly 6 to 12 mills per $1,000 of assessed value. There is no statewide average because each county sets its own rate. Your actual rate depends entirely on which county your property is in. Check your property tax bill or your county appraiser's website to find your specific rate.

Do I have to pay property tax on my home in Florida?

Yes, Florida requires property tax on real estate. However, if you own and live in the home as your primary residence, you can file for the homestead exemption, which reduces your assessed value by $50,000 and lowers your bill. You must file for the exemption with your county property appraiser—it does not happen automatically.

Can my property tax bill go down if I do not sell my home?

Yes, your bill can go down if your county lowers its millage rate or if your assessed value decreases. Values can drop if your home's condition declines or if the market in your area weakens. You can also challenge your assessed value through a property tax appeal if you believe it is too high.

What happens if I move out of my home—do I lose the homestead exemption?

Yes, the homestead exemption applies only if you own and live in the home as your primary residence. If you move out or rent the property to tenants, you lose the exemption and your assessed value returns to market value. You must notify your county property appraiser when your situation changes.

How do I find out what my home is assessed at?

Your property tax bill shows your assessed value. You can also search your address on your county property appraiser's website, which usually displays the assessed value, exemptions, and millage rate. If you cannot find it online, call your county property appraiser's office and provide your address or parcel number.