TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers are preparing to take up a sweeping proposal to reform the state’s property tax system, a top priority for Gov. Ron DeSantis heading into the upcoming legislative session.

Several bills introduced in the Florida House call for reducing — or in some cases eliminating — property taxes for homeowners.

What You Need To Know

The Florida Legislature is considering a proposal to eliminate property taxes in Florida 
Experts say getting rid of property taxes could have a negative impact on local governments, which rely on them to help pay for things like schools and emergency services

Abby Hall, an associate professor of economics at the University of Tampa, says there are pros and cons to eliminating the tax

If passed by the Legislature, it would take a constitutional amendment to eliminate property taxes in Florida, and would have to be approved by at least 60% of voters

Supporters argue the move would put more money back into Floridians’ pockets, but critics warn it could shift the financial burden to renters and first-time homebuyers, and local governments, which depend heavily on property tax revenue.

Property taxes currently fund a wide range of public services, including infrastructure and local operations. Economists caution that removing such a stable revenue source — which municipalities use to fund things like public education and fire and police departments — could create challenges, especially during periods of economic downturn.

“There are potential benefits to this policy, but also very real potential cost,” said Abby Hall, an associate professor of economics at the University of Tampa.

Hall noted that under some of the proposals being discussed, rental properties and vacation homes would not be exempt from taxes. She said that could prompt owners to sell if the economy weakens, potentially leading to an oversupply of homes on the market.

Hall also acknowledged potential advantages, including making homeownership more affordable and encouraging homeowners to make improvements or upgrades. Eliminating property taxes could be particularly beneficial for residents living on fixed incomes, she said.

Real estate investor Rex Gall, who has worked in the industry for more than three decades, believes the proposal would be especially helpful to seniors.

“I think that would be a great influx for seniors to move here and retire, which they have in the past,” Gall said. “This is going to be more of an incentive.”

Gall supports eliminating property taxes for homesteaded properties, saying it would ease financial pressures for older homeowners and benefit buyers of renovated homes.

Democratic lawmakers, though, have repeatedly voiced concerns over the effort to slash property taxes, which are the primary revenue source for local governments. The Florida Policy Institute has estimated that it would cost $43 billion to maintain current services if property taxes are eliminated in the Sunshine State.

“We should not be putting our local governments in a situation where we’re taking away tools, only to have them shift that burden in some other way,” House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell, a Tampa lawmaker, said of one proposal in November. “That is actually going to have the most adverse impacts on the people who need our help the most.”

State lawmakers are considering several approaches: eliminating property taxes immediately, phasing them out over a 10-year period, or removing non-school property taxes for homeowners 65 and older. Any major change would require a constitutional amendment and approval from at least 60% of voters.

If legislators advance the proposal, it could appear on the 2026 ballot.