Florida has no state estate tax, but you still owe property taxes on real estate you own

Florida does not charge an estate tax on property passed to heirs after someone dies. This is different from federal estate tax, which the IRS may collect on very large estates. However, owning real estate in Florida means paying annual property taxes to your county — and those taxes continue whether you inherited the property or bought it yourself.

The property tax is based on the assessed value of the land and buildings, not on your income or how much you paid for it. Each county sets its own tax rate, so what you owe depends on where the property sits. When property changes hands through inheritance, the county may reassess its value, which can raise your tax bill.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida has no state estate tax, so heirs do not owe a tax to Florida when they inherit property.
  • Property owners in Florida pay annual county property taxes based on the assessed value of the land and buildings.
  • Property tax rates vary by county and typically range from 0.7% to 1.1% of assessed value, though some counties are higher.
  • When you inherit property, the county may reassess its value and send you a new tax bill, usually within a few months.
  • Homestead exemptions can lower property taxes for primary residences, but you must apply and meet residency requirements.

How property tax is calculated in Florida

Your annual property tax bill equals the assessed value of your property multiplied by your county's millage rate. The assessed value is not necessarily what you paid for the property or what it would sell for today — it is the value the county appraiser sets, usually based on recent sales of similar properties in your area.

The millage rate is expressed in mills per dollar of assessed value. One mill equals $0.001, so a millage rate of 10 mills means you pay $10 per $1,000 of assessed value. Florida counties typically charge between 7 and 11 mills, though some are higher. For example, if your property is assessed at $300,000 and your county's rate is 10 mills, you owe $3,000 per year.

The county appraiser reassesses property every year, but the increase in assessed value is capped at 3% per year unless the property changes ownership or is substantially improved. This is called the Save Our Homes amendment. When you inherit property, the cap resets, and the county may reassess it at current market value — which can mean a significant jump in your tax bill.

What happens to property taxes when you inherit real estate

When property passes to an heir through a will or trust, ownership changes hands. Florida law requires the county appraiser to reassess the property at its current market value. This reassessment usually happens within a few months of the transfer, and you will receive a new tax bill reflecting the new assessed value.

If the property was owned by the deceased for many years and has increased in value, the reassessment can raise your taxes substantially. For example, if a parent bought a house for $150,000 thirty years ago and it is now worth $400,000, the inherited property will be assessed at or near $400,000, not the lower value the parent was paying taxes on.

There is no tax to Florida itself for inheriting the property — you do not owe an estate tax. However, you become responsible for the property taxes going forward. If the deceased owed back taxes, those become a lien on the property and must be paid before the estate can be fully settled.

Homestead exemption and other property tax breaks

If the inherited property is your primary residence, you may be able to claim a homestead exemption, which reduces the assessed value used to calculate your taxes. The homestead exemption typically exempts $50,000 of the assessed value from taxation. To may have access to, you must own the property, live there as your permanent residence, and be a Florida resident.

You must apply for the homestead exemption through your county property appraiser's office, usually by March 1 of the year you want it to take effect. The exemption does not happen automatically, even if the previous owner had one. If you inherit the property, you will need to file a new application in your name.

Other tax breaks may be available depending on your age, disability status, or military service. Seniors 65 and older may may have access to for an additional exemption. Disabled veterans and surviving spouses of veterans may receive exemptions or deferrals. Contact your county property appraiser to learn what you might be may have access to to.

Federal estate tax versus Florida property tax

Federal estate tax and Florida property tax are separate things. Federal estate tax is a tax on the total value of a person's estate when they die, collected by the IRS. As of 2024, the federal exemption is very high — over $13 million per person — so most estates do not owe federal tax. Florida does not add a state estate tax on top of that.

Property tax, by contrast, is an annual tax you owe as long as you own the property. It is not tied to inheritance or death; it is simply the cost of owning real estate in Florida. Even if an estate is small enough to avoid federal estate tax entirely, the heir will still owe property taxes every year on any real estate they inherit.

How to find out your property tax rate and assessed value

Your county property appraiser's office maintains public records of all property assessments and tax rates. You can usually search by address or owner name on the appraiser's website to see the assessed value, the current tax bill, and the millage rate for your county. Most counties also allow you to view property records online for free.

If you inherit property and want to know what your tax bill will be, contact the appraiser's office directly. They can tell you the current assessed value and explain how the reassessment process works. If you disagree with the assessed value, you have the right to file a formal protest, usually by a deadline set by your county each year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay Florida estate tax when someone dies and leaves me property?

No. Florida does not have a state estate tax. You will not owe Florida any tax simply because you inherited the property. However, you will owe annual property taxes on the property going forward, and the county may reassess its value when ownership changes.

Will my property taxes go up when I inherit a house?

Possibly. When you inherit property, the county appraiser reassesses it at current market value. If the property has increased in value since the previous owner bought it, your assessed value — and your tax bill — will likely be higher than what the previous owner was paying.

Can I get a homestead exemption on inherited property?

Yes, if the property becomes your primary residence. You must apply through your county property appraiser's office and meet Florida's residency requirements. The exemption does not transfer automatically from the previous owner; you must file a new application in your name.

What is the difference between assessed value and market value?

Market value is what the property would sell for on the open market. Assessed value is what the county appraiser determines for tax purposes, usually based on recent comparable sales. They are often close but not identical, and the county uses assessed value to calculate your tax bill.

Can I appeal my property tax assessment?

Yes. If you believe the assessed value is too high, you can file a formal protest with your county property appraiser. Each county sets a deadline, usually in the spring. You will need to provide evidence, such as recent appraisals or comparable sales, to support your case.