St. Johns County Property Taxes, Fall 2026: What to Do Now

 Quick Facts: St. Johns County Property Taxes, Fall 2026

• Statements: mailed on or around Nov. 1, one for each property you own.
• Discounts: 4% in November, 3% in December, 2% in January, 1% in February.
• Due: the gross amount by March 31. Taxes are delinquent April 1.
• Homestead: $51,411 total for the 2026 tax year, after the inflation adjustment.
• Exemption deadline: Monday, March 1, 2027.
• New owners: allow up to 30 days after closing before filing.

 St. Johns County Property Tax Discount Schedule

The St. Johns County Tax Collector applies the state discount schedule from section 197.162 of the Florida Statutes: 4% if paid in November, 3% in December, 2% in January and 1% in February. The gross amount is due March 31, and payments must be postmarked by then or hand-delivered to avoid penalties.

Unpaid taxes become delinquent April 1, when 3% interest and an advertising charge are added. If they’re still unpaid, a tax certificate, which is a lien on the property, is sold on or before June 1.

The bill can include more than property tax. Non-ad valorem assessments, which are flat charges for services such as garbage collection, are collected on the same statement. In newer communities, a community development district fee can appear there too. Our guide to what a CDD is and how it shows up on a tax bill explains those charges.

 New Owners and Escrowed Bills in St. Johns

If you bought this year, you’re responsible for the full-year bill mailed in November. The seller’s share was usually credited to you at closing, but that credit wasn’t a payment to the Tax Collector. You pay the whole bill.

If your lender escrows taxes, you don’t need to do anything. Your copy will read “THIS IS NOT A BILL – DO NOT PAY.” Still, read it, because it shows which exemptions are on the bill.

One trap for new owners: this year’s bill was figured on the home as of Jan. 1, 2026, often with the seller’s exemptions and capped value. Next year’s won’t be. Under section 193.155 of the Florida Statutes, a home is reassessed at market value as of the Jan. 1 after a change of ownership, so don’t budget from the seller’s bill. Our Save Our Homes guide explains the cap and portability.

 St. Johns County Installment Payments

St. Johns offers an installment plan for bills estimated over $100. Apply with the Tax Collector before May 1 of the year you want to start, and make the first payment by June 30. Apply this winter and the plan covers your 2027 taxes, spread across four payments. Under section 197.222 of the Florida Statutes, the first three carry discounts of 6%, 4.5% and 3%, and the last has none.

 How to File for Homestead in St. Johns County

Exemptions are handled by the Property Appraiser. Under section 196.011 of the Florida Statutes, the deadline is March 1, or the next business day when it falls on a weekend. For the 2027 roll it’s Monday, March 1, 2027, and you must own and live in the home as your permanent residence on Jan. 1, 2027.

The online exemption portal takes homestead, portability and other exemptions. Wait until the Property Appraiser’s site shows you as the owner, which can take up to 30 days after closing. You’ll need:

• A Florida driver license or ID showing the homestead address.
• Social Security numbers for you and your spouse, which are required for online filing.
• The address or parcel number of any prior Florida homestead.
• Proof that neither spouse claims a residency-based exemption in another state.

Homestead in St. Johns totaled $51,411 for 2026: the first $25,000 applies to all taxes, and the second $26,411 applies to value between $50,000 and $75,000, excluding school taxes. Our Florida homestead exemption guide explains the rest. As of Nov. 4, 2026, Amendment 3 has passed, with 61.98% yes (4,917,796 votes to 3,016,195) in the Florida Division of Elections unofficial results. It needed 60%. These numbers aren’t certified yet. The larger exemption starts in 2027, so if you’re new to Florida, ask the property appraiser how it applies to your 2027 exemption.

 St. Johns County Veteran Exemptions

The Property Appraiser’s veterans exemptions page notes that about 10% of the county’s population are veterans, citing the Census Bureau. Florida’s main veteran benefits:

• A $5,000 exemption under section 196.24 of the Florida Statutes for a service-connected disability of 10% or more.
• A full exemption under section 196.081 of the Florida Statutes for a service-connected total and permanent disability, with an honorable discharge.
• A percentage discount under section 196.082 of the Florida Statutes for combat-disabled veterans 65 and older.
• A full exemption for the unremarried surviving spouse of a service member who died on active duty.

Our disabled veteran property tax exemption guide walks through eligibility and the documents each one needs. For homesteaded service members, a deployment in a listed overseas operation can also qualify for an added exemption under section 196.173 of the Florida Statutes, filed by March 1 of the following year.

 St. Johns County Property Tax Checklist

• Pay by Nov. 30 for the 4% discount, unless you escrow.
• Escrowed? Read the “not a bill” copy and check your exemptions.
• Check for CDD or other non-ad valorem charges on the bill.
• Confirm you show as owner, then file homestead and portability online.
• Veterans: gather your VA rating letter and discharge papers.
• File by Monday, March 1, 2027, and save your receipt.

 Search St. Johns County Homes

From St. Augustine to Ponte Vedra and Nocatee, browse St. Johns County homes for sale and ask us to estimate the taxes and fees on a home you’re considering.

For education only. This is not legal or tax advice. Exemption rules, forms and office procedures change, and eligibility depends on your situation. Confirm details with the St. Johns County Property Appraiser and Tax Collector. Facts checked Oct. 8, 2026.