How Property Tax Works
Orange County, Florida operates under a property tax system that serves as the primary funding mechanism for essential local services including public schools, law enforcement, fire protection, libraries, parks, and infrastructure maintenance. The county follows Florida's state-mandated assessment and taxation framework, which includes beneficial protections for homeowners such as the Save Our Homes constitutional amendment and homestead exemptions.
Property owners in Orange County can expect effective tax rates typically ranging from 0.8% to 1.2% of assessed value, depending on the specific location and applicable exemptions. The county's 2025 property tax rate is set at 63.83¢ per $100 of assessed value for the general county levy, though total rates vary by municipality and special district assessments. Florida's unique "Save Our Homes" provision caps annual assessment increases at 3% for homesteaded properties, providing long-term tax stability for permanent residents.