While lawmakers in the Florida Legislature chased proposals to eliminate or reduce property taxes during the recent legislative session, the City of Miami is providing some relief for senior citizens.
Seniors living in Miami, who own and homestead their homes, will receive checks as part of the city’s Senior Citizen Tax Relief Program.
The program is providing a 100 percent rebate of city ad valorem taxes for residents who qualify.
Miami commissioners approved the program, which was designed to provide immediate financial relief to seniors living on fixed incomes, in the city’s budget for fiscal year 2025-2026.
To qualify, eligible residents must be 65 years of age or older, the property must be their homesteaded primary residence within the City of Miami’s municipal boundaries.
The rebate applies specifically to the city’s share of property taxes and does not affect county, school board, or other taxing authorities’ assessments.
Property tax relief throughout Florida is a top priority for Governor Ron DeSantis, who is on record saying that people who own their homes shouldn’t have to pay local government taxes.
The issue has put local governments on edge, as eliminating or reducing property taxes would force them to cut municipal services.
Property taxes constitute about 60 percent of the budgets to provide police, fire rescue, parks and recreation and library services.