HJR 1F would push the homestead exemption to $250,000 and cut the non-homestead cap in half. But a five-year carve-out for newcomers could make Jan 1, 2027 a real deadline.
Florida's property-tax overhaul, HJR 1F, titled 'Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes,' is officially headed to voters. It passed the Senate 30-9 and the House 75-26, and it requires 60% voter approval on Nov 3, 2026 to take effect.
The changes are significant. The non-school homestead exemption would rise from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and to $250,000 in 2028. The non-homestead assessment cap would be cut from 10% to 5% starting Jan 1, 2027. But new residents who move after Jan 1, 2027 would get only a $50,000 exemption for their first five years. The state estimates the plan would cut local revenue by $4.6B in year one and $8.4B in year two.
If it passes, the math changes for every homesteaded owner in Florida. A $250,000 exemption on the non-school portion is real annual savings, and halving the non-homestead cap protects landlords and second-home owners from the assessment creep that has hit them hardest.
My read: watch the newcomer carve-out, because it creates a genuine deadline. Anyone relocating to Florida who buys and homesteads before Jan 1, 2027 gets the full exemption path. Wait until after, and you're capped at $50,000 for five years. For a fence-sitting relocator, that's a concrete reason to move a purchase forward rather than let it drift into next year. The ballot still has to clear 60%, so this is a plan to prepare for, not a done deal.
If you're relocating to Florida, the newcomer carve-out could make your purchase date worth real money. Let's map your timeline against the ballot.
Start your buyer plan →Cover photography: Creative Commons / public domain — photo credits.
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