Volusia County Property Taxes Explained (Homestead & Save Our Homes)

Property taxes are local in Florida, and they confuse a lot of new buyers. Here is a clear explanation of how they work in Volusia County — and the exemptions that lower your bill.

How the bill is calculated

Your property tax is based on the county property appraiser's assessed value multiplied by the local millage rate (set by the county, school board, and other taxing authorities). Different areas have slightly different combined rates.

The homestead exemption

If the home is your permanent residence, Florida's homestead exemption reduces your taxable value (up to $50,000 across two $25,000 tiers, the second not applying to school taxes). File with the Volusia County Property Appraiser once it's your primary home.

Save Our Homes cap

Once homesteaded, the Save Our Homes rule caps annual increases in your assessed value at 3% (or CPI, whichever is lower) — protecting you from runaway tax hikes as values rise. Portability lets you carry a built-up benefit to your next Florida homestead.

What this means for buyers

The previous owner's tax bill is not what you'll pay — your taxes reset based on your purchase. Budget using current value, not the old assessment. We help buyers understand the real number before they commit. Have a question on a specific home? Ask us →

Curious what your home is worth?

Free, no-obligation, and based on real local sales — not a national guess.

Get My Free Home Valuation →

Frequently asked questions

How are property taxes calculated in Volusia County?

Your assessed value (set by the county property appraiser) is multiplied by the local millage rate set by the county, school board, and other authorities. Exemptions like homestead reduce the taxable value.

How much is the homestead exemption in Florida?

Up to $50,000 off assessed value for a permanent residence — a first $25,000 plus a second $25,000 that does not apply to school taxes. It must be your primary home and you must apply with the county.

What is the Save Our Homes cap?

For homesteaded properties, it caps the annual increase in assessed value at 3% or the change in CPI, whichever is lower — protecting long-term owners from large tax increases as market values rise.

Will I pay the same property tax the previous owner paid?

No. Taxes typically reset based on your purchase, so the prior owner's lower (often capped) bill is not what you will pay. Always budget using current value, not the old assessment.

Keep reading: How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in Florida? · Florida Homestead Exemption: How to Lower Your Property Taxes · Buying a Beachside Home in Volusia County: What to Know · All insights →

About the author — Arthur Simpson

Arthur is a Florida attorney, licensed real estate broker, and Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS), and a member of the Real Property and International Law Sections of The Florida Bar. He founded Simpson & Simpson Realty to give Volusia & Flagler families — and buyers from around the world — a brokerage with a real estate attorney's eye on every deal. Meet Arthur & the family →