Orlando Property Taxes: A Guide for Homeowners and Buyers

Property taxes are one of the biggest ongoing costs of owning a home in Orlando, and they're also one of the most misunderstood. Florida has no state income tax, but local governments rely heavily on property taxes — and Florida's rules on exemptions and caps mean two neighbors in nearly identical homes can pay very different amounts. This guide explains how property taxes work for Orlando and Orange County homeowners, how to lower yours legally, and what buyers should watch for.

This is general information, not tax or legal advice. For your specific property, check with the Orange County Property Appraiser and the Orange County Tax Collector, or a qualified professional.

How your Orlando property tax bill is calculated

Your bill comes down to two numbers: your property's taxable value and the combined millage rate for where it sits.

• Taxable value starts with the market value the Orange County Property Appraiser assigns as of January 1. Florida law then turns that into an assessed value (which can be capped — more on that below) and subtracts any exemptions you qualify for.
• Millage is the tax rate, expressed in dollars per $1,000 of taxable value. It's the total of the rates set by each taxing authority that covers your address — the county, the school board, the city if you live inside Orlando city limits, and special districts such as water management.

Put simply: taxable value ÷ 1,000 × total millage = your tax. Because the city of Orlando adds its own rate, a home inside city limits usually carries a different total millage than a similar home in unincorporated Orange County. The exact rates are set each year, so always look up the current numbers for a specific address.

The homestead exemption: the biggest saving for owners who live in their home

If the home is your permanent residence, Florida's homestead exemption can take up to $50,000 off its assessed value:

• The first $25,000 applies to all property taxes, including school taxes.
• A second exemption of about $25,000 applies to the part of the assessed value above $50,000, and it doesn't apply to school taxes. Since Florida voters approved a change in 2024, this second exemption is adjusted each year for inflation.

To qualify, you need to own the home and make it your permanent residence as of January 1, then apply with the Orange County Property Appraiser — the deadline is March 1. You only apply once; the exemption renews automatically as long as you remain eligible. If you buy a home this year, mark your calendar for the next January 1 and March 1.

Save Our Homes: the cap that protects homesteaded owners

Once a home has a homestead exemption, Florida's "Save Our Homes" rule limits how much its assessed value can rise each year — to 3% or the change in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower. Even when market values jump, the taxable value of a long-time homesteaded home grows slowly. Over years, that difference can be large.

Non-homestead properties, such as second homes and rentals, get a separate cap of 10% a year on increases in assessed value, but that cap doesn't apply to school taxes.

Portability: taking your savings with you

If you've built up Save Our Homes savings and move to a new home in Florida, you may be able to carry much of that benefit with you — up to $500,000 of it — as long as you establish the new homestead within the time Florida allows. You have to apply for portability along with your new homestead exemption, so tell your agent and the property appraiser's office if this applies to you.

Why a buyer's taxes can be higher than the seller's

This catches many buyers off guard. When a home sells, its assessed value resets to market value as of the next January 1, and the seller's exemptions and Save Our Homes savings don't transfer to you. If the seller lived there for years, their tax bill may be far lower than yours will be.

So when you budget for a home, don't rely on the current owner's tax bill. Estimate your own taxes based on the purchase price and the exemptions you'll qualify for. The Orange County Property Appraiser's website offers tools to help, and your lender will also estimate taxes when calculating your monthly payment.

Other exemptions worth asking about

Florida and Orange County offer additional exemptions for certain homeowners, including some seniors with limited income, veterans and service members with disabilities, people who are totally and permanently disabled, and surviving spouses. Each has its own rules and paperwork, and most require an application by March 1. If any of these might apply to you, it's worth a call to the property appraiser's office.

When the bill arrives — and how to save by paying early

Florida property tax bills are mailed around November 1 for the current year, and the Tax Collector rewards early payment:

• 4% discount if paid in November
• 3% in December
• 2% in January
• 1% in February
• Full amount due by March 31; unpaid taxes become delinquent April 1

If your mortgage includes an escrow account, your lender pays the bill for you — usually in November to capture the discount. Florida also offers an installment plan for homeowners who would rather pay in quarterly installments; you have to sign up in advance.

Disagree with your value?

Each August, the property appraiser mails a TRIM notice ("Truth in Millage") showing your proposed value, exemptions and the taxes each authority plans to levy. If you think the market value is wrong, start by contacting the property appraiser's office. If that doesn't resolve it, you can file a petition with the Value Adjustment Board by the deadline printed on the notice.

Plan your budget with confidence

Property taxes are just one piece of the true cost of owning a home. Our mortgage calculator lets you include taxes, insurance and HOA fees in your monthly payment, and our Orlando and Orange County pages show what homes are selling for right now. Thinking about selling? Get a free home value estimate. And whenever you have questions about a specific property, a CENTURY 21 Edge agent can help you make sense of the numbers.