Florida's Property Tax Amendment Is On the November 2026 Ballot — Here's What It Means for You

By Debbie Strawhand, REALTOR® | Avanti Way Realty | June 2025

If you own a home in Brevard County — or you're thinking about buying one — there's something big on the horizon that could affect your finances for years to come. Florida voters will head to the polls in November 2026 to decide on a constitutional amendment that would dramatically reduce property taxes for homestead property owners. This is one of the most significant tax proposals Florida has seen in decades, and I want to break it down in plain language so you can understand what's at stake.

What Is This Amendment?

On June 2, 2026, the Florida Legislature passed HJR 1F — a joint resolution that places a proposed constitutional amendment on the November 2026 general election ballot. The amendment is nicknamed the "Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes" amendment, and it focuses specifically on homestead properties — meaning the home you live in as your primary residence.

Here's the key thing to know: because this changes Florida's Constitution, it can't just be passed by legislators. It requires voter approval — and not just a simple majority. At least 60% of voters must approve it for it to take effect.

What Would Change If It Passes?

Right now, Florida homeowners with a homestead exemption can exempt the first $50,000 of their home's assessed value from most property taxes. This amendment would dramatically increase that exemption:

·        Year 1 (2027): The exemption jumps to $150,000 starting January 1, 2027

·        Year 2 (2028): The exemption increases to $250,000 starting January 1, 2028

·        2029 and beyond: Further increases would be tied to the Consumer Price Index (inflation)

The amendment also includes a path toward the full elimination of non-school property taxes on homestead properties over time — though the exact timeline for full elimination would be set by future legislation.

Important note: School district taxes are specifically excluded from this amendment. Lawmakers made that change to protect K-12 funding. So your school-related property taxes would remain unchanged.

What About Non-Homestead Properties?

The amendment also lowers the cap on annual assessment increases for non-homestead properties — things like vacation homes, rental properties, and commercial real estate — from 10% per year down to 5% per year. That's a meaningful change for investors and landlords in Brevard County.

What Does It Mean for Homeowners in Brevard County?

If you currently own and homestead your home here in Melbourne, Satellite Beach, Palm Bay, or anywhere in Brevard County — and this amendment passes — you could see significant savings on your annual property tax bill, potentially in the hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on your home's assessed value.

For example, if your home is assessed at $350,000, a $250,000 exemption (the 2028 level) would mean you're only being taxed on $100,000 of that value for non-school levies. That's a major difference from today's structure.

What Does It Mean for Buyers?

If you're considering buying a home in Florida, this is worth paying attention to. If the amendment passes, the ongoing cost of owning a primary residence in Florida could become even more attractive — lower property tax bills mean lower monthly carrying costs once you're settled in.

That said, it's important to note this only applies to homestead properties. Investment properties and second homes would not get the expanded exemption, though they would benefit from the lower assessment cap.

What Are the Concerns?

Not everyone is on board with this proposal, and it's fair to understand both sides. Local governments — cities, counties, fire departments, libraries, parks — depend heavily on property tax revenue to operate. A House analysis estimated this amendment could reduce annual revenue to non-school local governments by $4.6 billion initially, growing to $8.4 billion per year over time.

Supporters argue that homeowners deserve meaningful tax relief and that local governments will adapt. Critics worry about cuts to essential services and the burden potentially shifting to renters and businesses. It's a real debate, and voters will weigh in this November.

The Bottom Line

This is a historic proposal — one that could reshape how Florida homeowners experience property ownership for generations. Whether it passes depends entirely on Florida voters reaching that 60% threshold in November 2026.

As your local REALTOR, my job is to keep you informed so you can make the best decisions for your family and your financial future. Whether you're thinking about selling, buying, or simply want to understand how changes like this could affect your home's value and carrying costs, I'm always happy to talk it through.

Debbie Strawhand is a full-time REALTOR® with Avanti Way Realty serving Melbourne, Satellite Beach, Palm Bay, and the greater Brevard County area. With over 9 years of experience and more than $38 million in closed sales, she brings expertise, heart, and genuine care to every transaction. Real Estate Made Simple Whether You're Buying or Selling.