Fla.: DeSantis calls special session on proposal to eliminate property taxes on primary homes

OAN ^ | May 27, 2026 | Brooke Mallory

[chickenlips]

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has unveiled a legislative proposal to severely cut and eventually eliminate property taxes on primary residences in Florida, calling a special legislative session to address the issue.

The move escalates a multi-year effort to reform the state’s tax structure, potentially positioning Florida as the first state in the nation to boast neither a personal income tax nor a property tax on primary, owner-occupied homes.

“Today in Tampa, I outlined the Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes plan that will eliminate taxes on homesteads. Property tax revenue collected by local governments has nearly doubled in the past seven years (from $32 billion to $60 billion) and is expected to reach an astounding $83 billion by 2032. Florida homeowners need relief. Now is the time to stand up for taxpayers, enact a historic reform, and save the home of every Floridian,” DeSantis (R-Fla.) posted on X on Wednesday.

Today in Tampa, I outlined the Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes plan that will eliminate taxes on homesteads.

Property tax revenue collected by local governments has nearly doubled in the past seven years (from $32 billion to $60 billion) and is expected to reach an… pic.twitter.com/3ZcexD9L7X

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) May 27, 2026 If approved by the Legislature, the proposal would be placed on the November general election ballot, where it would require 60% voter approval to amend the state constitution.

Under the newly released plan, the state’s baseline homestead exemption would immediately go from from $50,000 to $250,000 for full-time residents who register their properties as primary homes. DeSantis estimated that this initial shift would wipe out property tax bills entirely for roughly 60% of the state’s current primary homeowners.

---

TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: desantis; florida; property; taxes

[chickenlips]

This would be excellent.

Phased in property tax elimination with a $250k homestead exemption immediately, then to be raised to $500k and eventually expanded to all the remaining tax burden. Sounds like a great plan to me.

[DIRTYSECRET]

Ok primary homes. Retired’s living there 181 days/yr count? They’ll have to make up the money somewhere else.

[Languager]

Yes, this is a classic deep state move by DeSantis. He’s not fooling us though!

[Repeal The 17th]

Eliminating property taxes has been proposed in Georgia.

It is one tax that I can actually see the benefits of.
Police, Fire, Ambulance, Schools, Traffic lights, etc.

Do the costs of those things just roll over to the state?

[clintonh8r]

As a resident of Florida for over 60 years I think it’s a great idea. The difference will be made up from taxes on non-homestead real estate types….second homes, commercial, industrial, agricultural, etc. Residents here pay no personal state income tax either.

[ProgressingAmerica]

There is a smidge of class warfare in this. Its not like this is the first time I’ve heard of such an idea, and I have heard of it before from leftists wanting to only tax the rich and give additional breaks to preferred classes and groups. There’s probably FR discussions about this in the past full of caterwauling of how could the Democrats ever dare to do such a thing, people need !!!skin in the game!!!

Besides, people who don’t have skin in the game are to some extent moochers off of hard working stiffs. Some people will bristle that I said it but you know its correct.

[b4me]

So instead of finding your own local services you think it’s better to rely on out of staters to do it?

Where is Floridians responsibility to paying for there own local services if no state income tax and no property tax?

Some people suggest only Property owners should have the right to vote BECAUSE they pay taxes. Will taking away the right to vote be coming if Floridians are creating ways to not pay for their own local services thru tax to state in some way?

Seems they want all the benefits without any real responsibilities.

[Skwor]

Property tax is the ultimate theft; no one owns a home. There are no property rights where there are property taxes, the government can change them and evict you at any time.

The absolutely worst tax that should never have been created is the property tax.

[DIRTYSECRET]

The government is the smart one here. Homeowners have more to lose than rest and they’re an easy target-too much to lose. Anyone remember Howard Jarvis? How about the amendment establishing an income tax?

I guess the Fair Tax is the answer-that is if it’s fair. Start with taking down the income tax to 1% of income. Eliminate it completely when things work out for the better.

[Gunslingr3]

Where is Floridians responsibility to paying for there own local services if no state income tax and no property tax?

Don't worry, we raise plenty of taxes. State and local tax collections are ~9.1% of state GDP. For comparison, CA seizes ~20.6% of their state's GDP in state and local taxes.

This tax change would protect primary residences from about half the existing residential property tax burden. The earlier proposals I had seen still collected taxes on primary residences for education. We'll have to see what comes out of the special session before we know the real extent of the changes.

[Wuli]

And what is DeSantis proposing cities and counties will replace the lost property tax revenue with? Higher local sales taxes, or state takeover of local and county expenses?

[clintonh8r]

Do you live in Florida? Our property taxes aren’t paid to the state. They’re paid to the county, with a portion going to the city if the property is in the city limits. Most state revenue comes from sales tax, corporate income tax, fees and tourist taxes. This change only applies to the homesteaded residence, not to any other real estate. I don’t know what you mean by “rely on out of staters.”

Worrying about the right to vote being taken because of not paying property taxes is quite a stretch. It’s guaranteed by the Constitution.

If you don’t live here you probably don’t know about the incredible amount of wasteful spending at the county level. For the past year the governor, CFO and AG have been investigating various counties for excessive spending largely caused by bloated real estate tax revenues. That’s going to stop as county governments won’t have huge piles of cash to spend.