Quick Answer
Dade City falls in Pasco County with a combined millage of ~16.69 mills. Homestead exemption ($50K) reduces taxable value. A $354K purchase (homestead) generates approximately $2,800-$3,200/yr in property taxes. Apply for homestead exemption by March 1 at the Pasco County Property Appraiser, (352) 521-4420. Call Barrett at (813) 733-7907 for property-specific estimates.
Dade City FL Property Taxes: Pasco County Millage Rates, Exemptions, and What to Budget
One of the first questions I get from buyers considering Dade City is: what will my property tax bill look like? The answer depends on your purchase price, whether you homestead the property, and how long the prior owner had their Save Our Homes cap locked in. Here is the full breakdown.
What Is the Pasco County Property Tax Millage Rate?
Millage Rate Breakdown for Dade City (2026)
| Taxing Authority | Millage Rate (approx.) | Notes |
|---|
| Pasco County (general fund) | ~5.00 mills | County services, roads, administration |
| Pasco County (library/MSTU) | ~1.50-2.50 mills | Library system, municipal service taxing unit |
| Pasco County School Board | ~5.43 mills | Public school funding |
| Southwest Florida Water Mgmt District | ~0.26 mills | SWFWMD regional water management |
| Fire/EMS MSBU | ~1.50-2.00 mills | Local fire/EMS service areas (varies by location) |
| City of Dade City (if in city limits) | ~1.80-2.20 mills | City services (applies only within city limits) |
| Total (in city limits) | ~15.49-18.89 mills | Verify exact rate at pascopa.com |
According to property tax data for Dade City, the combined effective millage is approximately 16.69 mills for most city-limit properties. Properties outside city limits but within Pasco County omit the city millage and pay a slightly lower rate. Always verify the exact millage for a specific property at pascopa.com.
How Does the Florida Homestead Exemption Work?
Two-Tier Homestead Exemption
Florida's homestead exemption reduces the taxable assessed value of your primary residence in two tiers:
| Tier | Amount | Applies To | Effect |
|---|
| First $25,000 | $25,000 off assessed value | All taxing authorities (county, school, city, SWFWMD, fire) | Reduces taxable value by $25,000 |
| Second $25,000 | $25,000 off assessed value | All taxing authorities EXCEPT school board | Further reduces non-school taxable value by $25,000 |
| Total homestead benefit | Up to $50,000 total | Mixed application | Saves approximately $750-$900/yr at 16.69 mills |
How to Apply for Homestead Exemption
You must apply at the Pasco County Property Appraiser by March 1 of the year following your purchase to receive the exemption for that tax year. The office is at:
Pasco County Property Appraiser
14236 Sixth Street, Suite 201, Dade City FL 33523
Phone: (352) 521-4420
Website: pascopa.com
You can also apply online through the Property Appraiser website. You will need proof of Florida residency (FL driver license or ID), Social Security number, and the property's legal description. If you miss the March 1 deadline, you wait until the following year.
What Is the Save Our Homes Cap and Why Does It Matter for Buyers?
Save Our Homes Explained
Save Our Homes (SOH) is a Florida constitutional amendment that limits increases in the assessed value of a homesteaded property to the lesser of 3% or the CPI change per year. Over time, a long-term homeowner's assessed value can be far below market value, creating a significant tax advantage that does NOT transfer to the buyer.
Save Our Homes Reset Warning
When you buy a home, the assessed value resets to market value in the year following your purchase. The prior owner's SOH savings disappear. A home the seller bought in 2005 for $150,000 and whose assessed value has been capped at $180,000 while the market pushed it to $310,000 will now be assessed at $310,000 (minus your homestead exemption) starting the year after your close. Budget based on your purchase price, not the seller's current tax bill.
Property Tax Estimate Table by Purchase Price
| Purchase Price | Est. Assessed Value (Year 2+) | Minus Homestead Exemption | Taxable Value | Est. Annual Tax (~16.69 mills) | Est. Monthly in Escrow |
|---|
| $220,000 | $220,000 | $50,000 | $170,000 | ~$2,837 | ~$237/mo |
| $290,000 | $290,000 | $50,000 | $240,000 | ~$4,006 | ~$334/mo |
| $354,000 | $354,000 | $50,000 | $304,000 | ~$5,074 | ~$423/mo |
| $415,000 | $415,000 | $50,000 | $365,000 | ~$6,092 | ~$508/mo |
| $550,000 | $550,000 | $50,000 | $500,000 | ~$8,345 | ~$695/mo |
| $900,000 | $900,000 | $50,000 | $850,000 | ~$14,187 | ~$1,182/mo |
Note: Non-homestead investment properties do not receive the $50,000 exemption and are subject to a 10% annual assessment cap. Investment property taxes run higher than the homestead estimates above.
Questions About Dade City Real Estate?
Barrett Henry, 23+ years of real estate experience. REMAX Collective licensed Florida real estate broker.
Contact BarrettCall (813) 733-7907How to Look Up Property Taxes for a Specific Dade City Address
Online Property Tax Lookup
To research property taxes for a specific address:
1. Go to pascopa.com (Pasco County Property Appraiser)
2. Search by property address or owner name
3. View current assessed value, exemptions applied, and taxable value
4. For actual tax bills: go to pascotaxes.com (Pasco County Tax Collector)
Portability (Save Our Homes Transfer)
If you currently own a homesteaded property in Florida, you may be able to transfer (port) your SOH benefit to a new Florida home using Form DR-501T. The transferred benefit can be up to $500,000 of SOH savings, applied to your new home's assessed value. You have three tax years from when you abandoned the prior homestead to apply. This can meaningfully reduce the tax reset effect for move-up buyers. Ask me to walk through the portability calculation for your situation.
Related Guides
Dade City city hub | Active listings | Homes for Sale guide | Cost of living | Real estate guide | New construction | Investment property | Waterfront homes | Good place to live? | Commute guide | Schools guide | Zephyrhills | Wesley Chapel | Pasco County | Mortgage calculator | Contact Barrett
Frequently Asked Questions About Dade City Property Taxes
What is the property tax rate in Dade City FL?
Dade City falls within Pasco County. The combined millage rate is approximately 16.69 mills per $1,000 of taxable value (~1.67%), broken down as: county general/library/MSTU ~9.50, school board ~5.43, SWFWMD ~0.26, fire/EMS ~1.50. The effective rate for homesteaded properties is lower due to the $50,000 homestead exemption and Save Our Homes cap.
What is the homestead exemption in Florida?
Florida's homestead exemption removes $25,000 from assessed value for all taxing authorities, plus an additional $25,000 from non-school taxes (up to $50,000 total reduction). Apply by March 1 of the year following your home purchase at the Pasco County Property Appraiser: 14236 Sixth Street, Suite 201, Dade City FL 33523. Phone: (352) 521-4420.
What is the Save Our Homes cap in Florida?
Save Our Homes limits annual increases in assessed value for homesteaded properties to the lesser of 3% or the Consumer Price Index change. Over time, this creates a growing gap between assessed value (what you pay taxes on) and market value. Buyers should budget based on the assessed value they will be taxed on after purchase, not the prior owner's tax bill.
Where do I look up Dade City property taxes?
Pasco County Property Appraiser: pascopa.com. Pasco County Tax Collector: pascotaxes.com. The Pasco County Property Appraiser office for Dade City is at 14236 Sixth Street, Suite 201, Dade City FL 33523, (352) 521-4420.
What happens to property taxes when I buy a home in Dade City?
Your assessed value resets to market value (the purchase price in most cases) in the year after you close. The prior owner's low assessed value due to Save Our Homes does not transfer to you. Budget based on your purchase price times the millage rate, minus the homestead exemption you apply for by March 1.
About Barrett Henry: Licensed Florida real estate broker with REMAX Collective. 23+ years of real estate experience. Call (813) 733-7907 or visit Barrett's profile.
