What to KnowFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis\u2019 property tax plan would raise the state\u2019s threshold for taxing primary residences to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. It would eventually increase the exemption and eliminate property taxes for all primary homes.\u00a0A September 2025 state analysis found that 28% of Florida\u2019s primary residences have a market value of $250,000 or below, and 76% are valued at $500,000 or below.\u00a0Researchers said Florida’s existing property tax reduction programs have to be considered to accurately calculate the number of homeowners who would not have to pay taxes.<\/p>\n
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled his long-awaited plan to overhaul the state\u2019s property tax system, saying it would initially eliminate property taxes for 60% of Florida homeowners.\u00a0<\/p>\n
DeSantis\u2019 proposal calls for raising Florida\u2019s threshold for taxing primary residences, or homestead properties, from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and then to $250,000 in 2028.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This would erase property taxes on primary homes assessed at these values or less. For homes valued at more than $250,000, only the amount above $250,000 would be taxable.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Under the plan, the Legislature would create a schedule to raise the exemption to $500,000 and above, eventually eliminating property taxes on primary homes at any value.<\/p>\n
Critics said the proposal is a watered-down version of DeSantis\u2019 promise to immediately eliminate all homestead property taxes. DeSantis said the plan has a better chance of passing.<\/p>\n
“A $250,000 limit \u2014 that eliminates property tax for 60% of Florida homeowners,”\u00a0DeSantis said May 27.<\/a>\u00a0Raising the threshold to $500,000 means 92% of all homes would be tax free, he said.<\/p>\n DeSantis\u2019 figures about how many Florida homeowners would benefit from the plan don\u2019t line up with publicly available state data that breaks down the market values of Florida\u2019s primary homes.<\/p>\n The September 2025 data from the\u00a0Florida Legislature\u2019s Office of Economic and Demographic Research<\/a>\u00a0shows that about 28% of Florida\u2019s homestead properties have a just value (or market value) of $250,000 or below.<\/p>\n About 76% of homestead properties are valued at $500,000 or below, although DeSantis said 92% of homes would be exempt from taxes at that price level.\u00a0<\/p>\n DeSantis\u2019 office did not answer PolitiFact\u2019s request for comment or details about the source of his figures.<\/p>\n Other factors affect housing values<\/p>\n Amy Baker, coordinator at the Office of Economic and Demographic Research, told PolitiFact that Florida’s existing property tax reduction programs and exemptions have to be considered to accurately calculate which residences would no longer pay property taxes under the plan.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Florida voters approved the\u00a0Save Our Homes program<\/a>\u00a0in 1992, which caps annual increases on primary residences’ taxable value at 3%, or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. Florida residents also can\u00a0qualify for property tax exemptions<\/a>\u00a0available to military veterans, active-duty military, first responders, low-income senior citizens and disabled people.<\/p>\n After those things are calculated, Baker said, the value that is taxable is “just a fraction of the total” value.<\/p>\n Baker said the Office of Economic and Demographic Research will produce an impact report on the governor\u2019s proposal after the Legislature considers it during its\u00a0June 1 to 3 special session<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n She said it\u2019s unlikely there is any public data showing how many primary homeowners would see their property taxes eliminated under DeSantis\u2019 proposal.\u00a0<\/p>\n DeSantis\u2019 plan still has to pass the Legislature by a three-fifths majority and then be approved by 60% of Florida voters in November.<\/p>\n