Gov. Ron DeSantis called a special legislative session in Tallahassee, Florida to begin phasing out property taxes on homesteaded homes. The proposal would start by raising Florida’s homestead exemption to $250,000 on the November ballot, though local officials are already questioning how cities and counties would replace the lost revenue.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, the proposal needs 60% approval from the Legislature before it can appear on the ballot. Voters would then also need to approve the measure by 60% for it to become part of the state constitution.
State records show about 5.1 million taxpayers currently use homestead exemptions to lower their property taxes. However, the state Office of Economic and Demographic Research found only 47% of homesteaded properties fall below the proposed $250,000 threshold, contradicting DeSantis’ estimate that 60% of homeowners would eliminate their property taxes under the plan.
DeSantis previously pushed for fully repealing property taxes before shifting toward a phased approach. Florida House Republicans have also backed proposals that would immediately eliminate most property taxes on homesteaded homes.
The governor argued local governments could recover lost revenue by taxing non-homesteaded properties and wealthy out-of-state buyers. “If some billionaire from Brazil is buying properties, tax ’em,” DeSantis said.
State Senate President Ben Albritton supported the plan, calling it “meaningful relief for Florida families.” Seminole County Commissioner Lee Constantine warned counties could struggle to maintain “basic services that provide the quality of life for our citizens” if revenue drops too sharply.
DeSantis maintained local governments could continue funding schools, police, and public services by collecting taxes from non-homesteaded properties. Residents, however, worried the proposal would eventually raise sales taxes and increase everyday living costs.
Residents Suspect Hidden Costs in Exemption Plan
Residents quickly began debating how local governments would replace billions in lost property tax revenue.
One resident sarcastically wrote they “can’t wait for an 18 percent sales tax to make up the shortfall.” Another predicted “it’ll be commercial property and tourism taxes going up.”
Several residents argued the burden would eventually shift onto renters and working-class families. “The people who will get killed are working people who have to rent,” one commenter said.
“How do we pay for schools with no property tax in non premium mansion districts?” another resident asked. Someone else responded that the proposal “will gut all public schools, and that’s not a bug it’s a feature.”
Some residents also feared the proposal would give Tallahassee more financial control over local governments. One commenter argued “Tallahassee would control all the money and be able to use it to punish cities/counties that don’t behave the way lame duck Ron wants.”
Another resident described the proposal as “nothing more than yet another attack on Home Rule for muncipalities.”
Not every reaction was negative. One resident argued the proposal “would hurt corporate buyers, foreign buyers and air bnb,” adding, “I hate Desantis but I’m all for this.”
Another voter said they still “need to see how he plans on increasing taxes in the non homestead folks case,” but added they were “all for out of towners getting killed in taxes tbh.”
As lawmakers prepare for the special session, many Florida residents are still trying to figure out which everyday expenses could rise if property taxes disappear.
