Florida's Save Our Homes Proposal: Calculate Your Property Tax Savings

By Jesse McGreevy | Published June 4, 2026 | Updated November 2026 | Southwest Florida Real Estate

What Is the Save Our Homes Proposal?

The Save Our Homes proposal became Amendment 3 (Florida Senate record, CS/HJR 1-F), which voters approved on November 3, 2026. Per the official ballot text, it raises the homestead exemption for all non-school taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, then adjusts it for inflation. School taxes are not part of the increase. The State's earlier summary of the proposal spoke of a schedule for full elimination, and the amendment on the ballot does not do that by itself. It requires the Legislature to set a uniform procedure that counties and cities can use, for their own levies, to raise the exemption up to full assessed value, and special districts can do the same with referendum approval.

The official Save Our Homes website, created by the State of Florida, allows any homesteaded property owner to enter their address and see a side-by-side comparison:

• Your 2025 estimated taxes levied (what you're paying now)
• Your estimated taxes with the new exemption applied
• Your estimated annual savings

The calculator's figures are estimates for the 2025 tax year, as if the proposal had been in effect, and the State notes that actual amounts vary with parcel status, exemptions, assessments and local tax rates. Amendment 3 itself takes effect January 1, 2027.

Who Qualifies?

The larger exemption is for homesteaded property owners, meaning your primary Florida residence where you have filed for homestead protection. If your Southwest Florida home is where you live full-time and you have an active homestead exemption on file with your county, Amendment 3 applies to your non-school taxes. One limit: a person who was not a Florida resident on December 31, 2026 receives the existing homestead exemption on qualifying and the larger one beginning with the fifth year of exemption, to the extent the U.S. Constitution permits.

Homestead questions come up constantly in Estero, where we live and work. If you are thinking about buying or selling here, our comparison of the best real estate agents in Estero shows how local agents stack up on the public record. For more on local taxes, see our guides to property taxes in Estero and Estero's proposed budget and taxes.

“This is exactly the type of relief longtime Florida residents need. Property values have surged across Southwest Florida over the past five years, and with them, property tax bills. The Save Our Homes proposal is a meaningful step toward keeping the cost of homeownership manageable for families who've built their lives here.”

Jesse McGreevy, McGreevy and Comisar

What Could Southwest Florida Homeowners Actually Save?

Savings vary depending on your home's assessed value and your county's millage rate. Lee County, Collier County, and Charlotte County all have different tax rates, so the most accurate way to find out is to run your own address through the calculator.

That said, here's the general picture for 2028, when the exemption reaches $250,000: on a home assessed at $400,000, non-school taxes would be figured on about $150,000 of assessed value. In 2027, with the $150,000 exemption, that figure would be about $250,000. School taxes still apply under the existing homestead rules, so the bill does not fall by the full amount. Data updated: November 2026.

→ Calculate My Savings at SaveOurHomesFL.com

Why This Matters for Estero, Bonita Springs, Naples & Fort Myers

Southwest Florida has seen extraordinary appreciation over the past several years. That's great news if you're selling, but for residents who want to stay in the community they love, rising assessed values have translated directly into rising tax bills. Some homeowners have seen their annual property taxes jump by thousands of dollars in just a few years.

Amendment 3 is designed to ease that link. A much larger exemption takes the first $250,000 of a homestead's assessed value out of non-school taxes from 2028, which gives longtime residents more room to stay in their homes as values rise. Counties and cities may go further under the procedure the Legislature must set, but that is a local decision, not an automatic phase-out.

Whether you own a home in one of Estero's sought-after golf communities, a waterfront property in Bonita Springs, a luxury residence in Naples, a single-family home in Fort Myers, or anywhere across Lee and Collier County, Amendment 3 is worth understanding.

How to Use the Save Our Homes Calculator

It's simple and takes less than a minute:

1. Go to www.saveourhomesfl.com
2. Enter your street number and street name (e.g., 123 Tamiami Trail; leave off the street type abbreviation and let the system find it)
3. Select your county from the dropdown
4. Your estimated savings will appear instantly

Tip: If your address isn't found, try different abbreviations: Drive vs Dr, Avenue vs Ave, Boulevard vs Blvd. If you live outside city limits, your county name may populate instead of a city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer: The Save Our Homes calculator estimates shown are for informational and illustrative purposes based on 2025 property tax data provided by the State of Florida. Actual savings will vary based on parcel status, exemptions, assessments, local tax rates, and any law the Legislature passes to carry out Amendment 3. This article does not constitute tax or legal advice. Consult a qualified tax professional for guidance specific to your situation. Real estate information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.