Tampa Property Tax Guide (2026)
Effective rates, millage breakdown, homestead and Save Our Homes savings, and what Tampa homeowners actually pay in Hillsborough County.
How Tampa property tax is calculated
Hillsborough County property tax is the sum of multiple millage rates — county, school district, city, and a handful of special districts — applied to your taxable value (just/market value minus exemptions). One mill equals $1 per $1,000 of taxable value.
Tampa's effective rate sits slightly above the statewide average, but rapid appreciation since 2020 means Save Our Homes 3% cap savings are unusually high for longtime homestead owners.
| Taxing authority | Millage (per $1,000) |
|---|---|
| Hillsborough County (countywide) | ~5.74 |
| Hillsborough School District | ~6.46 |
| City of Tampa | ~5.74 |
| Tampa Port + other | ~0.30 |
Source: Hillsborough County Property Appraiser TRIM notices, recent years. Rounded; exact mills vary year-to-year.
Worked example: median Tampa home
For a $385,000 home at the 1.03% effective rate:
- · Non-homesteaded (investment, second home): roughly $3,965/year
- · Homesteaded primary residence: roughly $3,385/year after the $50,000 homestead exemption
- · Senior + low-income exemption stack: can reduce the bill by another $300-$700/year for qualifying owners 65+
Florida exemptions that matter in Tampa
Up to $50,000 off taxable value on your primary residence. The first $25,000 applies to all property taxes; an additional $25,000 applies to non-school taxes between $50,000-$75,000 in value.
Annual taxable-value increases on a homesteaded property are capped at 3% or CPI, whichever is lower. After 5-10 years in Tampa, this gap often saves longtime owners thousands.
Owners 65+ with limited income qualify for an additional county/city exemption (up to $50,000) on top of homestead. Hillsborough County participates.
Honorably discharged veterans with service-connected disability get exemptions starting at $5,000; 100% disabled veterans are fully exempt on homesteaded property in Florida.
When and how to pay
Florida property tax bills are mailed November 1 and are due by March 31. Early-payment discounts:
- · November — 4% discount
- · December — 3% discount
- · January — 2% discount
- · February — 1% discount
- · March — full amount, no discount
- · April 1 — delinquent; interest plus a tax certificate sale follows
For installment payments (mid-year quarterly schedule), you must apply with the tax collector before May 1.
Official sources
- · Hillsborough County Property Appraiser — assessed values, exemption applications, TRIM notices
- · Hillsborough County Tax Collector — pay your bill, installment plans, delinquent accounts
- · Florida Department of Revenue, Property Tax Oversight — statewide rules