property taxes

The Florida House of Representatives approved a joint resolution on Thursday to put in motion a possible constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would completely end non-school property taxes for homesteaded properties beginning on Jan. 1, 2027.

The Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research estimates the elimination would result in a combined $18.3 billion annual loss in revenue for local governments.

While Florida’s top GOP leaders now all say they expect to put just one constitutional amendment on the ballot this fall on cutting property taxes, a joint resolution approved by a House committee Thursday is now set to go to the full House — the second such joint resolution to pass all of its assigned committees in the chamber this session.

In the latest installment of the University of South Florida's Debate-A-Bull speaker series, a panel of experts discussed the prospect of nixing state property taxes.

The report says that new property tax reforms proposed in the state legislature would have drastic consequences on municipalities' ability to provide parks, roadway improvements and other services.

Broward leaders expressed their concerns with property tax reform, confusion over gun laws, and frustrations with law enforcement funding.

As Florida’s Republican leaders consider overhauling the state’s property tax system, Gov. Ron DeSantis recently zeroed in on tax changes for primary homes, or homestead properties.

Counties and cities borrow billions of dollars for all kinds of expensive projects. They pledge future property tax revenues to pay back their lenders. Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to reduce or eliminate some property taxes, leaving a lot of uncertainty of how the changes may impact local government bonds.

Counties like Pinellas and Hillsborough get as much as one-third of their revenue from property taxes. If these are eliminated, a study shows services could be cut, or other taxes would have to go up.

Reducing or eliminating most local property taxes is a top priority for Gov. Ron DeSantis as he enters the final year of his last term. Florida Keys Rep. Jim Mooney, a Republican, thinks lawmakers should focus their efforts on bringing down the cost of property insurance instead. “We don't get a lot of complaints about property taxes,” he said.

On "The Florida Roundup," Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, digs into reducing property taxes. He said the House is trying to get ideas out there to stir a conversation.

If a constitutional amendment to significantly reduce or eliminate property taxes were on the ballot, 65% would support that. Only 15% oppose it, with 20% unsure.