More than 60 percent of voters would need to approve the proposal in a ballot measure.
Florida lawmakers are working on a bill that eliminates property taxes in the state.
House Bill 201 would end property taxes for homeowners who use the dwelling as their primary residence, which is referred to as a “homestead property” in the legislation.
The proposal would make homestead property owners exempt from taxes “up to the assessed valuation of $25,000.”
The bill, which would need the green light from voters, quickly advanced through the Florida Senate since it was introduced on Oct. 16.
The Florida Senate State Affairs Committee advanced it to the Ways and Means Committee on Dec. 2.
If the proposal makes it out of the Capitol and on to the November 2026 ballot, it will need 60 percent voter approval.
“The local property taxes are hurting people,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said during a Dec. 5 interview on Fox Business’s Varney & Co.
“In 2019, in Florida, the total revenue for the local government [was] $32 billion in property taxes. You know what it is now? $56 billion, that’s a massive increase. So people are paying more.”
If passed, it will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2027.
DeSantis said in the interview that he endorsed the proposal because Americans are being “pinched” in the economy and the state wants to help residents keep their hard-earned cash, as opposed to sending it back to the government.
“Of course, we’re going to make sure we have fire, police, and all [of] the core things, but the reality is: these local governments overspend,” DeSantis added.
“People are paying more and more for that, and at some point it’s like ‘when is enough enough?’”
DeSantis said that eliminating property taxes on Florida homesteaded residences will only impact a “fraction” of the revenue in local governments.
The majority of revenue from the property tax will come from people with second homes and commercial property in the Sunshine State, DeSantis said.
He added that the tax exemption may take time.
“You may have to phase it in,” the governor said.
“There’s going to be things we’re going to do. We’re sensitive to all [of] that. I want something that can work.”
By Jacki Thrapp
