Florida voters approved a bigger property tax break for qualifying homeowners. In the unofficial results, about 62% statewide and 70% in Sumter County voted yes. The amendment needed 60% statewide and takes effect January 1, 2027.
What changes on your tax bill?
For homeowners who qualify for the larger homestead exemption, up to $150,000 of assessed home value is exempt from non-school property taxes in 2027. That rises to $250,000 in 2028, with inflation adjustments starting in 2029. School property taxes still apply, and separate assessments can still appear on your bill. People who aren’t Florida residents by December 31, 2026, generally qualify for the larger break in their fifth year of receiving the exemption.
Say your home has an assessed value of $300,000. With the larger exemption, $150,000 would be subject to non-school property taxes in 2027 and $50,000 in 2028, before any other exemptions. Your bill depends on the assessed value for that year, the tax rates that apply to your property and any separate assessments.
For covered rental, business and other non-homestead properties, the annual cap on how fast assessed value can rise for non-school property taxes drops from 10% to 5%. Tax rates also affect what owners pay.
What changes for Sumter County?
Sumter County estimates it will collect about $24 million less in General Fund property taxes in fiscal year 2027–28 and $44 million less in 2028–29 than it projected under the old rules. Those are planning estimates. Commissioners still have to decide what goes into those budgets.
About 64% of Sumter voters also backed renewing the existing 2-cent-per-gallon fuel tax, which helps pay for roads and other transportation needs. The county’s earlier backup plan assumed Amendment 3 would pass and the fuel tax would expire. Voters approved both measures.
What we’re watching next
How much property tax revenue does the county now expect? Which services or projects would change? Will commissioners propose changes to tax rates, fees or assessments?
Florida election returns · Amendment text · Sumter County’s budget estimates · Local election returns
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