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DeSantis calls special session to eliminate Florida homestead property tax, proposes raising exemption to $250,000
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has called a special legislative session on property tax relief, proposing to raise the homestead exemption limit to $250,000 as a first step toward full elimination of property taxes on primary residences. The move would eliminate property taxes for 60 percent of Florida homesteaders. Total property tax revenue has nearly doubled from $32 billion to $60 billion in seven years.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has called a special legislative session focused on property tax relief, unveiling an ambitious plan to phase out homestead property taxes in the state. The centerpiece of the proposal is raising the homestead exemption limit to $250,000, a threshold that would immediately eliminate property taxes for approximately 60 percent of Florida homesteaders. DeSantis described the initiative as the most meaningful tax relief available to Floridians, far surpassing any potential cuts at the state level.
The governor presented stark figures to justify the urgency of the proposal. In 2019, Florida's local governments collected approximately $32 billion in total property tax revenue across all categories, including homestead residential, non-homestead residential and commercial properties. Seven years later, that figure has ballooned to $60 billion, nearly doubling the tax burden on property owners. DeSantis argued that taxpayers are paying dramatically more for what amounts to essentially the same level of local government services they received a decade ago.
While DeSantis expressed a personal preference for eliminating homestead property taxes entirely and immediately, he acknowledged that such an approach would be unlikely to secure legislative support or voter approval. Instead, the proposal envisions a phased approach, beginning with the $250,000 exemption and requiring the legislature to enact a schedule for the complete elimination of the homestead limit over time. The measure would need to be placed on the ballot for voter approval before taking effect.
To address concerns about revenue shortfalls for local governments, DeSantis announced the creation of a state trust fund that would provide grants to municipalities and counties to support core services. The governor specifically mentioned rural communities that may not have the same tax base as wealthier areas, pledging to direct state funds to ensure essential services are maintained. He also highlighted that the state budget already includes an additional $200 million for teacher salaries, particularly for educators with ten or more years of experience, demonstrating the state's commitment to funding critical services through alternative means.
DeSantis positioned the property tax proposal as a natural extension of Florida's low-tax philosophy, noting that the state already operates without an income tax and has implemented approximately $10 billion in tax relief during his tenure as governor. He argued that no other potential tax reduction at the state level would be as meaningful for Florida families as eliminating or substantially reducing property taxes, which represent the single largest tax burden for most homeowners. The special session comes at a time when rising property values and insurance costs have made housing affordability a central concern for Florida residents across the political spectrum.