Florida · November 7, 2026
Florida county tax collectors mailed 2026 property tax bills on or before November 1, and homeowners who pay this month get the largest discount of the year: 4% off the full amount. Florida is one of the few states that rewards early payment, and the discount shrinks each month until it disappears in March.
The discount schedule
Under state law, the discount for paying the full bill early is:
- November: 4%
- December: 3%
- January: 2%
- February: 1%
- March: no discount, full amount due
- April 1: unpaid bills become delinquent
The date that counts is when your payment is received or postmarked, depending on how you pay. Check your county tax collector’s site for exact cutoffs on online and mailed payments.
What 4% saves
The typical Florida homeowner pays $2,730 a year in property tax, according to Census survey figures for 2020 to 2024. Paying in November saves about $109 on that bill. In the big South Florida counties, where typical bills run close to $4,000, the savings are about $150 to $155:
- Broward County: typical bill $3,890, November savings about $156
- Palm Beach County: $3,858, about $154
- Miami-Dade County: $3,744, about $150
- Hillsborough County: $3,010, about $120
- Orange County: $2,967, about $119
Look up your own county’s typical bill on the Florida page.
If your lender pays from escrow
Most homeowners with a mortgage do not pay the bill directly. Lenders usually pay from escrow in November to take the full discount, which keeps escrow costs down. Your bill may say that a lender has requested it. If you are not sure, call your servicer before paying so the bill is not paid twice. Our escrow guide explains how this works.
Paying in installments instead
Florida also has an installment plan that spreads the bill over four payments, starting in June, with small discounts built in. You have to sign up with the tax collector by April 30 for the following tax year, and it only makes sense if your yearly bill is more than $100.
What happens if you miss April 1
Unpaid bills become delinquent on April 1, and the county adds a 3% minimum charge plus advertising costs. Before June 1, counties sell tax certificates on delinquent property, which let investors collect the tax from the owner with interest. Our guide to unpaid property taxes explains the process.
Before you pay, check the bill
Make sure your homestead exemption is listed if the home is your primary residence. Florida voters approved a much larger homestead exemption for non-school taxes this week, starting in 2027. You need a homestead exemption on file to benefit, and new owners can apply by March 1. See our story on Amendment 3 and our guide to reading your bill.
Sources: Florida Statutes 197.162, tax discount payment periods · Palm Beach County Tax Collector, property taxes
