Florida Retirement Income Tax Guide for Seniors
No. Florida has no personal income tax. Here is what retirees pay instead, the homestead and senior exemptions that cut property tax, and what the November 2026 Amendment 3 vote could change.
No. Florida has no personal income tax, so Social Security, pensions, IRA and 401(k) withdrawals are not taxed by the state. The main costs for a retiree are sales tax and property tax. A primary residence gets a homestead exemption of up to $51,411 for 2026, and many counties and cities give homeowners 65 or older an extra exemption of up to $50,000 if household income is $38,686 or less.
No tax on any kind of retirement income
Florida does not tax wages, Social Security, pensions (including military and federal), annuities, IRA or 401(k) withdrawals, interest, dividends or capital gains. The intangible personal property tax that once applied to stocks and bonds was repealed in 2007, so investments are not taxed either.
Your federal return is a different story. The Social Security tax calculator shows how much of your benefit the IRS will count.
Sales tax and other costs
- Sales tax: 6% state rate, plus a county discretionary sales surtax in most counties. Groceries and prescription drugs are exempt.
- Property tax: set by counties, cities, school boards and special districts. Most of the tax relief for retirees is here.
- Estate and inheritance tax: none.
- Insurance: not a tax, but homeowners insurance costs in Florida are high and worth pricing before you buy.
Property tax relief for Florida homeowners
Homestead exemption (any age)
If you own your home and make it your permanent residence by January 1, you can claim the homestead exemption. The first $25,000 of value is exempt from all property taxes, including school taxes. A second exemption applies to assessed value above $50,000 and only to non-school taxes. That second part is adjusted for inflation each year, which is why the total for 2026 is $51,411 rather than an even $50,000.
Save Our Homes cap
Once a home has the homestead exemption, its assessed value can rise by no more than 3% a year, or by the change in the Consumer Price Index if that is lower. After years of rising prices, the gap between market value and assessed value can be large. If you move to another Florida homestead, you may be able to carry ("port") up to $500,000 of that difference to the new home, as long as you apply within the time allowed.
Additional exemptions for people 65 or older
Florida law lets each county and city choose whether to offer two extra exemptions. They apply only to the taxes of a county or city that adopted them, never to school taxes.
| Exemption | Who qualifies | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Senior exemption | Homestead owner 65 or older with household income of $38,686 or less (2026 limit) | Up to $50,000 |
| Long-term resident senior exemption | 65 or older, same income limit, lived in the home at least 25 years, and the home's just value was under $250,000 when first approved | The full assessed value |
Household income means the adjusted gross income of everyone living in the home. The limit rises each year with the cost of living. It was $37,694 for 2025 and $38,686 for 2026. You apply with Form DR-501 and the income statement DR-501SC, and you must show you still qualify each year.
Other exemptions older homeowners often miss
- $5,000 exemption for a widow, widower, blind person, or totally and permanently disabled Florida resident.
- Veterans 65 or older with a service-connected disability get a discount on their homestead tax equal to their permanent, service-connected VA disability percentage, if they meet the other requirements. The discount can pass to a surviving spouse.
- Granny flat reduction: a county may reduce the assessed value of new living quarters you build for a parent or grandparent who is at least 62.
Amendment 3 on the November 3, 2026 ballot
Florida voters will decide on a constitutional amendment that would sharply raise the homestead exemption for non-school taxes. If at least 60% of voters approve, it would take effect January 1, 2027:
- Up to $150,000 off non-school taxes starting in 2027, rising to up to $250,000 starting in 2028.
- Only the first $25,000 would stay exempt from school taxes, so most owners would still get a school tax bill.
- The larger amounts would go to people who are permanent Florida residents as of December 31, 2026. People who become residents later would start with a $50,000 exemption and qualify for the larger amount after four years.
- Existing personal exemptions, including the senior, widow, veteran and disability exemptions, would not change.
Nothing changes for 2026 tax bills either way. If you are planning a move to Florida, the residency date matters: being a permanent resident by December 31, 2026 could make a large difference if the amendment passes.
How and when to apply
- File with your county property appraiser, not the state. Many accept applications online.
- The deadline is March 1 for that tax year. To qualify, you must own and live in the home on January 1.
- Have your Florida driver's license, vehicle registration and voter registration updated to the new address. Appraisers use them to confirm residency.
- Ask the appraiser whether your county and city have adopted the senior exemptions. Some have, some have not, and some have adopted only one.
Compare Florida with other states in our state retirement income tax finder and the senior property tax exemption guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Florida tax Social Security or retirement income?
No. Florida has no personal income tax, so Social Security, pensions, annuities and retirement account withdrawals are not taxed by the state.
What is the Florida senior exemption income limit for 2026?
$38,686 in total household adjusted gross income, according to the Florida Department of Revenue. The limit is adjusted each year for the cost of living.
Is the senior exemption available in every Florida county?
No. Counties and cities choose whether to adopt it, and it only reduces the taxes of the governments that did. It never reduces school taxes. Ask your county property appraiser.
When is the deadline to apply for homestead exemption in Florida?
March 1 of the tax year. You must own the home and make it your permanent residence by January 1.
What would Amendment 3 do for seniors?
If voters approve it on November 3, 2026, the non-school homestead exemption would rise to up to $150,000 in 2027 and up to $250,000 in 2028 for people who are permanent residents by December 31, 2026. The existing senior exemptions would stay in place.
Sources: Florida Department of Revenue guides PT-110 (persons 65 or older), PT-111, PT-112 and PT-113 and its senior income limitation table; Volusia County Property Appraiser summary of Amendment 3. Read October 2026. This page is general information, not tax advice, and is not affiliated with the Florida Department of Revenue or the IRS. Confirm exemptions with your county property appraiser. See our Data Sources page for how we source figures.