Brevard Property Taxes, Homestead and the November 2026 Amendment

Property taxes are one of the biggest surprises for people moving to Brevard. The tax you pay depends on whether the home is your homestead, and on what the previous owner paid.

How homestead works today

If a Brevard home is your permanent residence as of January 1, you can apply for Florida's homestead exemption with the Brevard County Property Appraiser. The standard filing deadline is March 1. For 2026, the homestead exemption is worth up to $51,411 in assessed value.

Homestead also turns on the Save Our Homes cap, which limits how much your assessed value can rise each year. That's why long-time owners often pay far less tax than a new buyer on the same street.

The buyer's mistake to avoid

Don't budget using the seller's tax bill. When a home sells, its assessed value resets to market value the next year. A seller with 15 years of Save Our Homes savings may pay half what you will.

Amendment 3 on the November 3, 2026 ballot

In June 2026, the Florida Legislature placed a property tax amendment on the November 3 general election ballot. It needs at least 60% of the vote to pass. As described by county property appraisers, it would:

• Raise the homestead exemption from non-school taxes to $150,000 starting January 1, 2027, then to $250,000 starting January 1, 2028
• Lower the yearly assessment cap on non-homestead property, such as rentals and second homes, from 10% to 5%
• Limit how counties and cities can spend property tax revenue
• Treat people who become Florida residents after December 31, 2026 differently from existing residents

If it passes, the changes would first show up on TRIM notices and tax bills in late 2027. Current law stays in place unless it passes. For the official ballot language, check the Florida Division of Elections.

What to do now

• New owners: File for homestead by March 1 after you move in.
• Buyers: Ask your agent to estimate taxes at the new purchase price, not the seller's bill.
• Investors: Remember that non-homestead properties don't get the homestead exemption or the 3% Save Our Homes cap.

Questions about what taxes will look like on a home you're considering? Call or text Emily Garry, Realtor®, at 321-368-7680.

FAQ

When is the homestead deadline in Brevard County? The standard deadline to file for Florida homestead is March 1 of the tax year.

How much is the Florida homestead exemption in 2026? Up to $51,411 in assessed value for the 2026 tax year.

What does Florida Amendment 3 do in 2026? It would raise the homestead exemption from non-school taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, and lower the non-homestead assessment cap to 5%. It needs 60% voter approval on November 3, 2026.

About the author: Emily Garry is a Realtor® with The Garry Team (The G Home Collective at Real Broker), based on Merritt Island. She has about 10 years of experience helping buyers and sellers across Brevard County, from Titusville to Melbourne and the beaches. Call or text 321-368-7680 or email emily@emilygarry.com.