Florida is considering dumping property taxes after nearly doubled for homeowners over the past decade. It's a bold idea that you can ultimately go in front of voters. Forking money for property taxes can be painful for working families and retirees. Now, state lawmakers are considering plans to remove Florida property tax. Lee County Property Appraiser Matt Caldwell is proposing plans to increase Homestead exemptions available to Florida residents. Alexis Mendoza lives in Fort Myers. The HB 852 study could eliminate property taxes and provide relief to many. According to a survey by the Florida Institute of Policy Research, the elimination of property taxes will increase sales tax from 6% to 12%. GREGRYBOYD owns an old home at McGregor Boulevard in Fort Myers and considers the 12% sales tax to be too big for most people. DeSantis recently said. Boyd has recently supported increasing the average $50,000 homestead exemption he and others have received. “It's updated. “Even today, I have a homestead worth $50,000 in a home that averages $350,000 or $450,000, but it wasn't the same profit I had when I first passed,” Caldwell said. He is looking for a huge increase to save homeowners money. Voters in 2026. A full Florida residents can apply for a Homestead exemption in the Real Estate Appraiser's office or online.
Florida is considering dumping property taxes after nearly doubled for homeowners over the past decade. It's a bold idea that you can ultimately go in front of voters.
Forking money for property taxes can be painful for working families and retirees. Now, state lawmakers are considering plans to remove Florida property tax. Lee County Property Appraiser Matt Caldwell is proposing plans to increase Homestead exemptions available to Florida residents.
Alexis Mendoza said he lived at Fort Myers.
“You're just trying to survive, get through the first 24 hours and get through the next 24 hours,” Mendoza said.
She and the other homeowners are struggling to survive.
“People are already struggling financially in this economy, maintaining childcare and keeping food at home,” she said.
The HB 852 study eliminates property taxes and could provide relief for many.
“The cost of living compared to what people make financially is absolutely not aligned,” Mendoza said.
The pandemic-driven home buying boom has increased home value and raised property taxes.
However, a study by the Florida Policy Institute said that abolishing property taxes would raise sales tax from 6% to 12%.
Greg Boyd owns an old home on McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers, and considers the 12% sales tax to be too big for most people.
The governor proposed more taxes to tourists.
“I don't want to tax the property of Florida residents. I tax tourists and some foreigners,” DeSantis recently said.
Boyd supports increasing the average $50,000 Homestead Waiver that he and others have received.
“The Homestead Act needs to increase, not the sales tax that applies to everyone,” Boyd said.
Caldwell said the original Homestead Act, passed in 1934, brought about $5,000 in profits when the average home only cost around $4,500. He says the Homestead exemption has not been renewed.
“Even today, there's a $50,000 homestead in an average home that averages $350,000 or $450,000, so it's not the same advantage as when he originally died,” Caldwell said.
He is seeking a significant increase to save homeowners money.
“We need to go at least from the current $50,000 to $100,000 or $120,000,” Caldwell said.
That's an issue that will ultimately require voters to vote in 2026.
Florida full-time residents can apply for the Homestead exemption directly at the Real Estate Appraiser's office or online.
