Orange County, Florida property-tax guide • 2026 OCPA filing rules
Orange County FL Homestead Exemption: Rules, Savings & How to Apply
If you own and permanently occupy a home in Orange County, Florida, the homestead exemption can reduce its taxable value by up to $50,000 and, beginning after the property qualifies, can also activate Florida’s Save Our Homes assessment limitation.
The first $25,000 of homestead exemption generally applies to property-tax millages including school taxes. The second exemption of up to $25,000 applies to assessed value above $50,000 through $75,000, but does not apply to school-district millage.
OCPA states that the normal 2026 exemption deadline was March 2, 2026. A qualifying owner who owned and occupied the home before January 1 can submit OCPA’s 2026 late application and supporting documents before September 18, 2026.
Start here
Orange County Homestead Exemption Quick Facts
Homestead exemption reduces taxable value. Save Our Homes limits future increases in assessed value after qualification. Portability can move qualifying accumulated Save Our Homes assessment difference from a previous Florida homestead to a new homestead.
Avoid the wrong office
OCPA vs. Orange County Tax Collector: Who Handles Homestead?
Orange County Property Appraiser
- Receives homestead applications
- Determines exemption eligibility
- Determines market and assessed value
- Applies Save Our Homes
- Processes portability
- Administers qualifying senior, disability and veteran exemptions
Orange County Tax Collector
- Receives the certified tax roll
- Issues and collects property taxes
- Accepts tax payments
- Administers qualifying installment plans
- Handles homestead tax deferral
- Does not approve your homestead exemption
Florida Department of Revenue
- Publishes statewide exemption guidance
- Publishes DR-501 and DR-501T
- Publishes annual SOH cap
- Publishes senior income limitation
- Does not approve an Orange County parcel application
If the exemption is missing, call OCPA. If the exemption is correct but you need to pay the resulting tax bill, contact the Tax Collector.
The most misunderstood calculation
How the $50,000 Florida Homestead Exemption Works in Orange County
The standard exemption is not simply a flat $50,000 reduction from every taxing authority.
Florida divides the standard homestead exemption into two layers.
Applies to the first $25,000 of qualifying assessed value and generally applies to all ad valorem taxing authorities, including school millage.
This portion of assessed value is not covered by the second homestead exemption.
Applies to assessed value above $50,000 through $75,000 but does not apply to school-district millage.
Calculate the real benefit
How Much Can the Orange County Homestead Exemption Save?
There is no single correct Orange County savings figure because properties can lie in different municipalities, school-tax areas, water-management districts and special taxing districts.
The correct calculation separates school millage from non-school millage.
Practical calculator
Orange County Homestead Savings Estimator
Enter the assessed value shown by OCPA and the school and non-school millage applying to your property. This calculator isolates the standard homestead exemption; it does not add senior, veteran, disability or portability benefits.
Street-lighting, solid-waste, drainage or other non-ad valorem assessments can still appear on an Orange County tax bill because they are not calculated in the same way as taxable-value-based millage.
January 1 controls the normal tax year
Who Qualifies for Homestead Exemption in Orange County, Florida?
The ordinary Orange County homestead application is based on your ownership and Florida permanent-residence status as of January 1 of the tax year.
You must hold qualifying legal or equitable title to the Orange County property.
The home must be established as your permanent Florida residence rather than a vacation, investment or occasional-use property.
For the ordinary annual exemption, ownership and permanent residency must be established as required on January 1.
Permanent residence is more than the address you prefer to use
Property appraisers evaluate objective facts showing where a person actually maintains permanent residence. OCPA therefore asks for Florida identification and additional residency evidence.
- Florida driver’s license or Florida identification card
- Vehicle registration
- Florida voter registration
- Recorded Declaration of Domicile when used as supporting proof
- Ownership/deed information
- Prior homestead information
- Property address and mailing address
- Other information requested on Florida Form DR-501
Owning an Orange County home is not enough. Homestead is tied to permanent residence. A second home, vacation rental or property maintained while another permanent residence is claimed elsewhere should not automatically be treated as eligible.
OCPA’s current practical checklist
Documents Needed for an Orange County Homestead Application
For each applicant, OCPA’s current 2026 filing instructions require two proofs of residency, with one of those proofs being a Florida driver’s license—or Florida identification card for a non-driver.
Florida driver’s license
OCPA’s current instruction says the driver’s-license address must match the address on the application.
Florida identification card
A Florida ID is the required identification alternative for an applicant who does not drive.
Vehicle registration
OCPA lists current Florida vehicle registration as one of its accepted supporting residency records.
Voter registration
Florida voter registration can serve as an additional residency indicator.
Declaration of Domicile
OCPA says a Declaration of Domicile may be used if you do not have the second listed identification document, but it must be recorded through the Orange County Comptroller before being submitted.
Deed / ownership information
Form DR-501 requests property identification, deed information, acquisition details and ownership percentage. Have closing or recorded-deed information available.
Information Form DR-501 may ask from each applicant
- Applicant name
- Phone number
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Citizenship / immigration information where applicable
- Percentage of ownership
- Date homestead was established
- Previous residence
- Previous Florida homestead information
- Property held in trust, if applicable
- Homestead address
- Different mailing address, if any
OCPA’s current late-filing instructions specifically tell applicants submitting by email to use “Confidential Exemption Information” in the email subject line. Follow OCPA’s current transmission instructions rather than forwarding identification to an unofficial address.
OCPA workflow
How to Apply for the Orange County Florida Homestead Exemption
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1
Search your property first
Open OCPA and use Property Search. Confirm the parcel, physical address, owner name and current exemption history.
Open OCPA Property Search -
2
Confirm your deed/title is reflected correctly
Compare the OCPA ownership record with your recorded deed. If a recent purchase has not yet appeared, have closing and recorded-document information available.
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3
Open OCPA’s Homestead Exemption page
On the OCPA website, choose the Homestead Exemption section and use the current Homestead Online or filing option displayed for the tax year.
OCPA Homestead Exemption -
4
Enter the correct parcel and applicant information
Do not file against a similar address or neighboring parcel. Orange County parcel IDs uniquely identify property.
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5
Enter ownership and residency dates accurately
The acquisition date and date the home became your permanent residence can affect which tax year you qualify for.
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6
Provide two residency proofs per applicant
Include the matching Florida driver license/ID required by OCPA and an accepted additional proof.
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7
Apply for portability if you left another Florida homestead
Do not assume portability happens automatically. Complete DR-501T when you are transferring a qualifying Save Our Homes assessment difference.
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8
Claim additional exemptions you qualify for
Age, disability, veteran status, active-duty deployment, surviving-spouse status or first-responder status can create additional property-tax benefits.
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9
Submit and retain proof
Save the application receipt, confirmation number, PDF or other OCPA submission evidence.
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10
Verify the exemption later
Review the OCPA property record and your annual TRIM Notice. Do not assume an application was approved merely because it was submitted.
Current 2026 deadline information
Missed the Orange County Homestead Deadline? 2026 Late Filing
OCPA’s 2026 late-filing instructions apply to qualifying homeowners who owned and occupied the home before January 1 of the year for which the exemption is requested.
Why does OCPA say March 2 for 2026?
Florida’s normal statutory filing date is March 1. For tax year 2026, OCPA identifies March 2, 2026 as the regular filing deadline under the applicable calendar.
OCPA’s current late-application workflow
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1
Obtain the 2026 late-filing / extenuating-circumstances form
Use OCPA’s current filing packet rather than an old homestead form copied from another county.
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2
Complete Form DR-501
Complete the Original Application for Homestead and Related Tax Exemptions for the applicable property and applicant.
OCPA 2026 DR-501 -
3
Add portability paperwork if needed
Include DR-501T if you are transferring a qualifying Save Our Homes assessment difference from another Florida homestead.
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4
Attach the required residency evidence
OCPA currently asks each applicant for two accepted residency proofs, including the matching Florida driver license or Florida ID.
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5
Submit before September 18
OCPA instructs 2026 late applicants to email the completed late application and supporting documents to constituentservices@ocpafl.org before September 18, 2026, using “Confidential Exemption Information” as the subject.
Orange County Property Appraiser
Attention: Exemptions
200 S. Orange Avenue, Suite 1700
Orlando, FL 32801
It is OCPA’s current 2026 late-filing cutoff. Future-year deadlines must be rechecked with OCPA.
The long-term benefit can exceed the $50k exemption
Save Our Homes Cap in Orange County: 2026 Rate Is 2.7%
Florida’s Save Our Homes provision limits annual increases in the assessed value of qualifying homestead property after the limitation becomes applicable.
The annual increase is limited to the lower of:
Example
If a qualifying Orange County homestead had a prior assessed value of $300,000, a simple 2.7% increase would produce:
Market value can rise much faster
OCPA still determines the property’s just/market value. Save Our Homes does not cap that market value; it limits the qualifying assessed value.
Can increase with the market
Represents the property’s value under Florida appraisal law as of January 1.
Can receive the SOH limitation
The difference between just value and limited assessed value is the Save Our Homes assessment difference.
Taxing authorities can change millage rates, exemptions can change, improvements can affect assessment and non-ad valorem assessments can change independently. The SOH limit applies to qualifying assessed-value growth—not directly to the final amount due.
Moving does not automatically erase years of SOH benefit
Orange County Homestead Portability: Transfer Up to $500,000
Florida homestead exemption itself does not move from one house to the next. Instead, qualifying homeowners may transfer—or port—part or all of the Save Our Homes assessment difference from a previous Florida homestead.
The exact amount depends on the previous and new property’s just values, assessed values, ownership shares and whether you are upsizing, downsizing, splitting or combining homesteads.
Basic portability calculation
In a straightforward qualifying upsize, that $250,000 assessment difference could potentially transfer to the new Florida homestead because it is below the $500,000 maximum.
Downsizing uses a proportional calculation
When the new property’s just value is lower than the previous homestead’s just value, Florida’s portability rule applies the prior assessment difference proportionally to the new home’s value rather than automatically transferring the entire dollar difference.
| Situation | General treatment | Form / issue to check |
|---|---|---|
| New home same or higher value | Qualifying assessment difference can transfer up to $500,000. | DR-501T |
| New home lower value | Transfer is proportionally reduced under Florida’s downsizing formula. | DR-501T |
| Divorced / owners establish separate homesteads | SOH difference can be split according to applicable ownership rules. | DR-501T and possibly DR-501TS |
| Prior homestead in another Florida county | Portability is statewide; the prior homestead does not have to be in Orange County. | Apply through OCPA for the new Orange County homestead |
Florida DOR says portability is requested with the new homestead application. OCPA also advises homeowners to apply for portability when establishing the new Orange County homestead.
A common closing surprise
Why the Seller’s Orange County Tax Bill May Not Predict Yours
A long-time Orange County homeowner may have a large Save Our Homes benefit. When the property changes ownership, the previous owner’s accumulated assessment limitation generally does not simply remain available to the buyer.
Use OCPA’s property information and tax-estimation resources when buying. A seller’s assessed value can be significantly below market value because of accumulated Save Our Homes benefit.
After approval
Does Orange County Homestead Renew Automatically?
OCPA explains that the exemption generally renews each January while ownership/title remains qualifying and the owner continues to maintain the property as the permanent residence.
That is different from saying the exemption can never be reviewed or changed.
Contact OCPA if any of these occur
- You move out permanently
- The property becomes a rental
- Ownership or title changes
- You add or remove someone from the deed
- The property is transferred into a trust
- A spouse dies
- Owners divorce or separate
- You establish another permanent residence
- Your mailing address changes in a way affecting residency
- You no longer qualify for an additional exemption
The exemption itself does not follow you. Establish a new homestead on the new residence and separately request portability if you qualify.
Short-term rental rules can affect exemption status
Can You Rent an Orange County Homestead and Keep the Exemption?
Renting a homestead to a tenant can cause loss of homestead qualification because permanent-residence use matters.
Florida law does, however, contain a limited short-term rental rule. Florida DOR explains that a homeowner can rent the home after January 1 and keep the exemption for that year, provided the rental does not exceed 30 days per calendar year for two consecutive years.
May not immediately destroy homestead
The statutory short-term exception can apply when its conditions are met.
High exemption risk
Renting the residence as a tenant’s home can demonstrate that the property is no longer your own permanent residence.
If your Orange County home is being rented repeatedly, contact OCPA before assuming the exemption and Save Our Homes benefit remain valid.
Title changes require careful review
Trusts, Life Estates, Divorce and Adding Someone to the Deed
A trust does not automatically destroy homestead
Florida DOR explains that a person with qualifying legal or beneficial title and the right to use and occupy the home under the trust can have sufficient title for homestead.
Can still qualify in appropriate circumstances
Life-estate and beneficial-title arrangements need to be reviewed under Florida’s homestead rules rather than treated as ordinary non-owner occupancy.
Can affect assessment and exemption
A deed change can affect ownership shares, exemption eligibility and Save Our Homes treatment. Ask OCPA before transferring an interest solely for estate-planning convenience.
Homestead and portability can split
If one spouse remains in the former marital homestead, the exemption may continue under qualifying circumstances. If the owners separate into new homesteads, Florida has rules for allocating portability.
A transfer that appears simple for estate planning can create an ownership change for appraisal purposes. Obtain appropriate legal advice and ask OCPA how the proposed title structure will be treated before recording the document.
Additional relief beyond standard homestead
Orange County Senior Homestead Exemption: 2026 Income Limit
Florida permits counties and municipalities to adopt additional homestead exemptions for qualifying homeowners age 65 or older.
This is the Florida Department of Revenue’s adjusted 2026 household income limit used for the limited-income senior exemption under section 196.075, subject to the local government’s adoption and the other statutory requirements.
Two local-option senior benefits can exist
Up to $50,000 additional exemption
A qualifying county or municipality can authorize an exemption of up to $50,000 for a homesteaded owner age 65 or older whose household income does not exceed the annual statutory limit.
Long-term resident exemption
A local government can authorize an exemption equal to the assessed value for an owner age 65 or older who meets the income limit, has maintained permanent residence on the property for at least 25 years, and met the statutory just-value requirement when first qualifying.
A county exemption does not automatically mean every Orange County city adopted the identical benefit. Your TRIM Notice can show different taxable values by taxing authority for this reason.
Check everything you qualify for
Other Orange County Property-Tax Exemptions for Homeowners
Qualifying widowed Florida residents may be eligible for the statutory exemption.
Qualifying applicants can receive an additional exemption with required documentation.
Florida provides a general disability exemption for qualifying totally and permanently disabled residents.
Qualifying quadriplegic homeowners and certain qualifying paraplegic, hemiplegic, wheelchair-dependent or legally blind homeowners may receive broader relief under Florida law.
A qualifying veteran with service-related disability may receive additional assessed-value exemption.
Qualifying service-connected totally and permanently disabled veterans and eligible surviving spouses can receive total homestead tax exemption under Florida law.
A qualifying veteran age 65 or older with combat-related disability can receive a discount based on disability percentage.
Qualifying deployments outside the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii for legislatively designated operations can generate a homestead exemption based on deployment days.
Florida provides broad relief to qualifying first responders totally and permanently disabled in the line of duty and qualifying surviving spouses.
Do not assume “homestead approved” means every additional exemption was automatically granted. Several programs require separate proof, forms or annual income documentation.
Manufactured housing
Can an Orange County Mobile Home Receive Homestead Exemption?
Florida homestead rules can apply to mobile homes, but treatment depends on ownership of the mobile home and land and whether the home is treated as real property under Florida’s property-tax rules.
Own mobile home + land
When the owner uses the mobile home as a permanent residence and owns the land, the property can qualify upon proper application when the statutory requirements are satisfied.
Mobile home / land circumstances differ
If land ownership, real-property status or title differs, ask OCPA how the structure and parcel are assessed before assuming the ordinary house calculation applies.
Submission is not the final step
How to Check Your Orange County Homestead Exemption Status
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1
Open OCPA Property Search
Search by owner, address or other available property-search controls.
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2
Open the exact property record
Verify the parcel ID before reviewing exemption history.
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3
Review “Tax Year Benefits” or exemption information
OCPA property cards can display Original Homestead, Additional Homestead, other exemptions, Save Our Homes benefit and tax savings information.
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4
Check the annual TRIM Notice
The Notice of Proposed Property Taxes shows assessed value, assessment reductions and exemptions before final tax rates are adopted.
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5
Call OCPA if something is missing
Constituent Services / customer assistance: 407-836-5044.
Your TRIM Notice may display different taxable values because the second $25,000 homestead exemption and locally adopted senior exemptions do not apply identically to every taxing authority.
What to do when the notice is wrong
Homestead Missing From Your Orange County TRIM Notice
If the annual Notice of Proposed Property Taxes does not show an exemption or assessment limitation you believe should apply, contact OCPA immediately.
If OCPA cannot resolve an exemption or assessment dispute, Florida law provides a Value Adjustment Board process. The petition deadline is tied to the annual notice and should be checked on the current notice rather than copied from a prior tax year.
Orange County’s annual petition deadline changes with the TRIM calendar. Follow the deadline printed on the current year’s notice and the Orange County VAB instructions.
Similar wording, completely different program
Homestead Exemption vs. Homestead Tax Deferral
Reduces taxable value
File with the Orange County Property Appraiser.
Normal deadline: March 1Defers qualifying tax payment
Administered by the Orange County Tax Collector under separate eligibility rules.
Tax Collector application due March 31Do not confuse delaying qualifying property-tax payment with receiving an exemption that reduces taxable value.
Local assistance
Orange County Property Appraiser Office: Address, Phone & Hours
Orange County Property Appraiser
200 S. Orange Avenue
Suite 1700
Orlando, FL 32801
Customer Service: 407-836-5044
Office hours:
Monday–Friday
8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Exemption email:
constituentservices@ocpafl.org
Orange County Tax Collector — Tax Department
200 S. Orange Avenue
16th Floor
Orlando, FL 32801
Tax Department: 407-434-0312, option 2
Use the Tax Collector for property-tax payment, tax deferral, installment and collection issues—not to file the ordinary homestead exemption.
200 S. Orange Avenue, Downtown Orlando
If you have a complicated ownership, portability, trust, veteran, disability or late-filing question, call OCPA before making a special trip and confirm which original or supporting documents should accompany the application.
Current-law vs. ballot proposal
2026 Florida Property-Tax Amendment: Do Not Use Proposed Future Amounts Yet
Florida voters have not yet decided the November 2026 proposed constitutional property-tax amendment. Proposed future exemption amounts should not be presented as current Orange County law.
Orange County Government’s current information page explains that a proposed constitutional amendment is scheduled for the November 2026 ballot.
The proposal also includes other property-tax changes. Its legal and fiscal effects depend on voter approval and the final implementation rules.
Do not update this page to a $150,000 or $250,000 “current homestead exemption” merely because a ballot proposal exists. Recheck the election result, effective date, implementing law and OCPA instructions after the November 2026 vote.
Problems that cost homeowners money
Common Orange County Homestead Exemption Mistakes
Homestead exemption belongs with OCPA. The Tax Collector handles the resulting tax bill.
School millage generally receives only the first $25,000 standard exemption.
The cap is the lower of 3% or the applicable CPI change. For 2026 the official cap is 2.7%.
OCPA’s current 2026 late application cutoff is September 18, 2026 for qualifying late applicants.
OCPA’s current instructions require the Florida driver’s-license address to match the application address.
Current OCPA instructions call for two accepted proofs for each applicant.
Portability requires the appropriate transfer application, generally DR-501T with the new homestead filing.
Accumulated SOH benefit can make a seller’s taxable value much lower than a buyer’s future taxable value.
Long-term rental or repeated rental can affect permanent- residence qualification.
Ownership changes can affect exemption and Save Our Homes treatment.
Senior, disability, veteran and first-responder benefits can require separate forms and evidence.
Check the OCPA property record and annual TRIM Notice.
Detailed homeowner answers
Orange County Florida Homestead Exemption FAQs
How much is the Orange County Florida homestead exemption?
The standard Florida residence homestead exemption can reduce taxable assessed value by up to $50,000. The first $25,000 generally applies to all ad valorem taxing authorities, including school taxes. The second exemption applies to assessed value above $50,000 through $75,000 and does not apply to school-district millage.
Where do I apply for homestead exemption in Orange County?
Apply through the Orange County Property Appraiser (OCPA). Do not submit the ordinary homestead application to the Orange County Tax Collector or Florida Department of Revenue.
What was the 2026 Orange County homestead filing deadline?
OCPA states that the regular 2026 exemption application deadline was March 2, 2026. Florida’s normal annual statutory date is March 1, but the practical 2026 OCPA deadline reflected the calendar.
Can I still file late for the 2026 Orange County homestead exemption?
OCPA currently instructs qualifying 2026 late applicants who owned and occupied their home before January 1 to submit the late application and supporting documentation before September 18, 2026.
What documents do I need for Orange County homestead?
OCPA’s current 2026 instructions require each applicant to provide two accepted proofs of residency. One must be a Florida driver’s license, or Florida identification card for a non-driver. Additional proof can include vehicle registration, voter registration or, when appropriate, a recorded Declaration of Domicile.
Does my Florida driver’s-license address have to match the home?
OCPA’s current filing instructions state that the Florida driver’s- license address must match the address on the application.
Does the full $50,000 exemption apply to Orange County school taxes?
No. The first $25,000 standard homestead exemption generally applies to school millage, while the additional exemption of up to $25,000 on assessed value above $50,000 does not apply to school millage.
How much will homestead save me each year?
Savings depend on your assessed value and the millage rates of the taxing authorities serving your property. Calculate school and non-school savings separately because the second $25,000 exemption does not apply to school millage.
What is the Save Our Homes cap for 2026?
Florida Department of Revenue lists the 2026 Save Our Homes assessment-growth cap at 2.7%. The annual cap is the lower of 3% or the applicable prior-year CPI change.
Does Save Our Homes mean my property tax can rise only 2.7% in 2026?
No. The 2.7% limit applies to qualifying assessed-value growth, not directly to the final property-tax bill. Millage changes, improvements, exemptions and non-ad valorem assessments can affect the final amount due.
What is portability?
Portability allows an eligible Florida homeowner to transfer some or all of the Save Our Homes assessment difference from a previous Florida homestead to a new Florida homestead, subject to a maximum transfer of $500,000 and Florida’s portability calculation rules.
Can I port homestead savings from another Florida county to Orange County?
Yes. Portability is a Florida benefit and the previous homestead does not need to be located in Orange County. Apply for the new Orange County homestead through OCPA and submit the required portability information.
Does portability happen automatically?
No. Florida Department of Revenue instructs homeowners to file Form DR-501T with the new homestead application when requesting transfer of a qualifying Save Our Homes assessment difference.
Can I keep homestead after renting my house?
Renting the home can cause loss of homestead because the property must remain the owner’s permanent residence. Florida does provide a limited short-term rental rule: renting after January 1 can be compatible with that year’s exemption when the statutory conditions are satisfied, including the 30-day rule described by Florida DOR.
Can I put my Orange County home into a trust and keep homestead?
Potentially. Florida DOR states that legal or beneficial title can support homestead when the applicant is entitled to use and occupy the property under the trust. Have OCPA review the trust before assuming the exemption will continue.
Does homestead automatically transfer when I buy another home?
No. A new residence requires a new homestead application. Qualifying Save Our Homes assessment difference can be transferred separately through portability.
Does the seller’s homestead stay on the property after closing?
A buyer should not assume the seller’s exemption or accumulated Save Our Homes benefit becomes the buyer’s permanent benefit. Ownership changes can cause reassessment, and the new owner must establish their own homestead qualification.
Does Orange County have an extra senior exemption?
Florida allows Orange County and its municipalities to grant locally adopted additional senior homestead exemptions. Eligibility depends on age, household income and the ordinance of the taxing authority. The statewide 2026 income limitation is $38,686.
What is the 2026 senior income limit?
Florida Department of Revenue lists the adjusted 2026 household income limitation under section 196.075 at $38,686.
Can a disabled veteran get more than the standard homestead exemption?
Yes. Florida provides additional property-tax relief for several veteran categories, including a $5,000 exemption for qualifying veterans with at least a 10% disability and total exemption for certain service-connected totally and permanently disabled veterans and qualifying surviving spouses.
Can a mobile home receive Orange County homestead?
Potentially. Florida’s rules permit homestead treatment for qualifying mobile homes when residency, ownership and real-property requirements are satisfied. OCPA should determine the treatment of the particular mobile home and land.
How do I know OCPA approved my exemption?
Search the property on OCPA and review its exemption/tax-benefit information. Also review the annual TRIM Notice for the applicable homestead exemption, additional exemption and Save Our Homes information.
What should I do if homestead is missing from my TRIM Notice?
Contact OCPA immediately. If the issue cannot be resolved through the Property Appraiser, review the current Orange County Value Adjustment Board petition procedure and the filing deadline shown for that tax year.
Is homestead tax deferral the same as homestead exemption?
No. Homestead exemption reduces taxable value and is administered by OCPA. Homestead tax deferral is a separate program administered by the Orange County Tax Collector that can defer qualifying tax payments.
Is Florida increasing the homestead exemption to $150,000 or $250,000?
Not under current law as of August 23, 2026. Orange County Government describes a proposed November 2026 constitutional amendment that could create additional exemption amounts in future years if voters approve it. Proposed future amounts should not be treated as current homestead law before the election and applicable effective dates.
Primary-source research
Official Orange County & Florida Sources Used
The information above consolidates current OCPA procedures and statewide Florida property-tax rules so homeowners can understand the process before leaving this page. Use the following government sources when performing the actual filing, appeal, payment or verification.
This guide distinguishes the first and second Florida homestead exemptions; school and non-school taxable value; market value, assessed value and taxable value; the homestead exemption, Save Our Homes limitation and portability; OCPA exemption functions and Tax Collector payment functions; current 2026 law and proposed future constitutional changes.
OCPA filing interfaces, tax rates, local-option exemptions, late filing dates and Florida statutes can change. Property-specific or deadline-sensitive decisions should be verified with OCPA and the controlling Florida rule before action.
Independent Orange County Property-Tax Guide: This website is an independent educational resource. It is not operated by, affiliated with or endorsed by the Orange County Property Appraiser, Orange County Tax Collector, Orange County Government, Florida Department of Revenue or another government agency.
This guide explains publicly available homestead exemption, Save Our Homes, portability and property-tax procedures. It is not legal, tax or financial advice and does not determine whether a particular owner or parcel qualifies. Verify filing eligibility, ownership, permanent residency, exemption status, deadlines and property-specific taxable values directly with the Orange County Property Appraiser.