Highlands County Property Tax Rate & Calculator
Updated October 3, 2026 · Data: Florida DOR 2024 County Profile
Highlands County levied an average of 14.400 mills in 2024, 1.96 mills below the statewide average and the 50th highest of Florida's 67 counties, which puts it in the lower half of Florida counties.
Estimate your Highlands County tax bill
Using 14.400 mills, the county's 2024 average effective rate from Florida Department of Revenue data, and the 2026 homestead exemption amounts. Your actual bill depends on your city, special districts, non-ad valorem fees and future millage decisions. How we calculate.
Estimated property tax in Highlands County
Annual tax at Highlands County's average rates. The homestead columns apply the $25,000 exemption to all levies and the additional 2026 exemption of $26,411 to non-school levies. "New resident" assumes a homestead first established in 2027 and shows its 2027 amount.
| Assessed value | Homestead today | A3 · 2028 | A3 savings | A3 · new resident (2027) | Non-homestead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | $2,281 | $935 | $1,346 | $2,294 | $2,880 |
| $350,000 | $4,441 | $2,642 | $1,798 | $4,454 | $5,040 |
| $500,000 | $6,601 | $4,802 | $1,798 | $6,614 | $7,200 |
| $750,000 | $10,201 | $8,402 | $1,798 | $10,214 | $10,800 |
On a $350,000 homestead, the non-school portion of the bill is about $2,704. That is the part Amendment 3 targets, which is why savings in Highlands County track its non-school millage of 9.056.
Where Highlands County property taxes go
Total ad valorem taxes levied in 2024 were $123 million. The school district received 41% of that.
| Taxing authority | Levied 2024 | Share | |
|---|---|---|---|
| School district | $49,867,657 | 40.7% | |
| County government | $61,023,266 | 49.8% | |
| Cities | $10,112,559 | 8.2% | |
| Special districts & MSTUs | $1,578,521 | 1.3% |
The county's total just (market) value was $16.7 billion, with $8.0 billion taxable for county purposes and $9.3 billion taxable for schools. The gap between those two numbers comes from the additional homestead exemption and the 10% non-homestead cap, which do not apply to school taxes.
Exemptions and deadlines in Highlands County
- Homestead exemption: file with the Highlands County Property Appraiser by March 1. See our homestead exemption guide.
- Save Our Homes cap: once homesteaded, your assessed value can rise no more than 3% or inflation each year, whichever is lower. How the cap and portability work.
- TRIM notice: arrives in mid-August. You have 25 days to petition the Value Adjustment Board. How to appeal.
- Tax bill: mailed November 1 by the Highlands County Tax Collector; pay in November for a 4% discount. Discounts and installment plans.
Highlands County property tax FAQ
What is the property tax rate in Highlands County?
The 2024 average effective rate in Highlands County was 14.400 mills, or about $14.40 per $1,000 of taxable value. That combines 5.344 school mills and an average of 9.056 non-school mills across the county, cities and special districts.
How much is property tax on a $350,000 home in Highlands County?
For a homestead with a $350,000 assessed value, the estimate is about $4,441 a year after the standard homestead exemptions. A non-homestead property with the same assessed value would pay about $5,040.
How much would Amendment 3 save in Highlands County?
If Amendment 3 passes, an existing homestead assessed at $350,000 would pay about $2,642 in 2028, a savings of roughly $1,798 a year, assuming local millage stays the same. School taxes are not affected.
When is the homestead exemption deadline in Highlands County?
March 1, the same date statewide. You must own the home and make it your permanent residence as of January 1 of the tax year, and file with the Highlands County Property Appraiser.