FLORIDA — Florida lawmakers are returning to Tallahassee this week for their third special session this year, this time focusing on property taxes.

Gov. Ron DeSantis made the announcement last week. His proposal, called “Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes,” would provide Florida homeowners relief by increasing the homestead exemption.

The plan includes five major points:

It would exempt the first $250,000 of a homestead’s value from taxation
Require local government to use remaining property taxes for core public services — like education, public safety, and infrastructure
Limit future property tax assessments on businesses
Require Florida residency for five years prior to receiving the exemption if moving after Jan. 1, 2027
Create a state trust fund to support local governments financially to ensure those core services aren’t negatively affected

DeSantis shared a website on social media that includes a tax-savings calculator. Homeowners can enter their address and see potential savings based on 2025 tax bills.

University of Central Florida political science professor Aubrey Jewett said critics worry that what Floridians would save on property taxes could lead to additional costs elsewhere.

“From the critic’s perspective, there is no such thing as a free lunch. If you cut back on these property taxes for counties and cities and school districts, either you’re going to have big cuts in services that people expect or you’re going to have to raise taxes somewhere else,” said Jewett.

Jewett notes that critics are worried this could affect local government’s ability to provide certain services, and while homeowners might be saving on taxes, others might pay the price — such as people who live in apartments, own second homes, or agriculture properties.

He says that while lower taxes could attract more people to move here, the waiting period was put in place for a reason.

“It wouldn’t be an immediate benefit if they pass what the governor has suggested because the governor said — he specifically brought that up — that he didn’t want a bunch of people to move here immediately to get that tax break and that this would be more for long-term Florida residents,” he explained.

It remains to be seen whether lawmakers pass property tax reform — either the language proposed by the governor’s office or if they make potential changes.

Lawmakers will meet on Monday to kick-start the special session. Senate President Ben Albritton said last week that a floor vote could happen Tuesday or Wednesday.

If the legislature passes a measure this week, it has to be signed by DeSantis. Then, it would be placed in the ballot this November and would require support from 60% of voters to pass.

If that happens, the tax reform would take effect beginning in 2027.