Florida Governor’s Proposal to Eliminate Property Taxes
Florida’s Governor, Ron DeSantis, has introduced a bill aimed at significantly reducing, and eventually eliminating, property taxes on primary residences in the state. He has also called for a special session of the legislature to discuss this initiative.
This move is part of a broader effort to reform taxes in Florida, which could position the state as the first in the nation to eliminate both personal income tax and property tax for homes occupied by their owners.
“Today in Tampa, I outlined my ‘Protecting Homes from Excessive Property Taxes’ plan, which would do away with taxes on residential properties. Property tax revenues have surged over the last seven years—from $32 billion to $60 billion—and are projected to rise to an astonishing $83 billion by 2032. Homeowners in Florida need relief. It’s time to advocate for taxpayers, implement significant reforms, and safeguard everyone’s homes,” DeSantis shared on X.
If the legislature approves the proposal, it will appear on the general election ballot in November. Any constitutional amendments would require a 60% approval rate from voters.
Under this new plan, the basic homeownership exemption would increase from $50,000 to $250,000 specifically for residents who designate their properties as primary homes. DeSantis believes this initial change could eliminate property taxes for approximately 60% of the state’s current primary homeowners.
The proposed constitutional framework suggests a gradual increase in the exemption to $500,000 over the years, which the governor mentioned would render 92% of homesteads entirely tax-free before phasing out the remaining tax obligations.
The governor’s announcement has initiated a special legislative session, adding pressure to the already divided Republican-controlled Legislature.
Previously, the Florida House had passed a resolution to phase out non-school property taxes over a decade, but the Senate rejected it due to concerns about significant revenue losses for local governments.
To address these apprehensions, the new proposal limits the use of any remaining property tax revenue to critical local projects, such as public schools and emergency services. It would also create a state trust fund to help fill revenue gaps in smaller, rural counties lacking strong commercial tax bases.
The legislature’s response has revealed notable ideological and regional divisions within the state.
Republican Senate President Ben Albritton expressed hope, noting that the approach aims to protect essential services while also providing economic relief to households facing rising living expenses.
On the other hand, Democratic House Minority Leader Fentris Driskell criticized the initiative, arguing that eliminating property taxes won’t resolve the infrastructure and emergency response expenses local governments face.
