Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is calling legislators back to Tallahassee next week to consider his plan to relieve the property tax burden on homeowners.
At a Wednesday morning appearance in Tampa, DeSantis unveiled plans to increase the homestead exemption from the current $50,000 to $250,000. He said it would wipe out property taxes for 60% of primary homeowners in the state.
His plan would require the legislature to come up with a schedule to fully eliminate property taxes on homesteads. As for small businesses, his proposal would cut annual property tax assessments of up to 10% to 5%.
DeSantis’ proposal would force local municipalities to use any remaining property tax revenues for “core public needs,” including public safety, education, infrastructure and natural resources. Any municipalities needing assistance to continue supplying those services could apply for grants through the state.
Legislators will gather for a special session beginning June 1 to review the governor’s proposal. The House and Senate have the ultimate say as to what appears on the ballot for property tax relief. A ballot measure needs a 60% vote of support from the House and Senate. If enough “yes” votes are secured, the measure would need support from 60% of Florida voters for it to become a part of the state constitution.
A proclamation calling for a special session notes the increasing property tax revenues local governments have received since 2019, $32 billion, to this fiscal year, nearly $60 billion.
“Florida voters deserve the right to decide at the ballot box in 2026 on whether they continue to pay rent to the government in perpetuity through taxes on their homesteaded property,” DeSantis’ proclamation reads.
The Florida House passed their version of property tax relief before the regular session concluded in March. The proposal by Republican state Rep. Monique Miller would gradually eliminate non-school property taxes on homesteaded properties over a 10-year period. It also prohibits local governments from reducing total funding for services provided by law enforcement, firefighters and other first responders below 2024 and 2025 levels.
The Senate never took up the House proposal and didn’t formulate an idea of their own before the session ended. Rather, the chamber chose to wait for DeSantis’ proposal.
State Rep. Jim Mooney told Keys Weekly on Wednesday afternoon that he’s in the process of reviewing DeSantis’ proposal. Mooney previously supported the House property tax relief proposal, stating he wanted to give voters the ultimate say.
