Florida Property Tax Cut Amendment

What would the proposal do?

• Phase Out Non- School Property Taxes on Homesteads 

  • Gradually eliminate non-school property taxes on homesteaded primary residences by increasing the homestead exemption by $100,000 per year over a decade; eventually exempting the full assessed value from county, city, and special district taxes (but not school district taxes). 

  • An amendment adopted on the floor accelerated this phase-out so that the tax would immediately go away once the amendment is effective, rather than over a 10-year ramp up. 

Estimated Costs and Effects

• Analysts estimate the House’s version could cost cities, counties, water districts, and other local governments roughly $14-15 billion per year in lost non-school property tax revenue if approved by voters. 

• Because local services (like police, fire, public works, infrastructure, libraries) depend heavily on property tax revenue, Democrats and local officials warn it could force cuts or shifted costs via higher fees or other taxes.

Political and Practical Context

• Republican Arguments

  • House leaders describe the plan as historic tax relief aimed at combating affordability challenges for homeowners. 

  • They contend local governments can manage by trimming budgets or shifting to other revenue sources.

• Democratic and Local Government Concerns

  • Democrats warn it would undercut funding for core services; police, fire, road maintenance, emergency services — and could push costs onto residents through fees or higher sales taxes. 

  • Local governments and municipal leaders have expressed worry about deep revenue losses without adequate replacement funding.

• Senate and Governor’s Position

  • Senate leaders haven’t committed to this House version and suggest they may craft their own property tax reform that’s less aggressive. 

  • Gov. Ron DeSantis has indicated interest in property tax relief too, but has criticized past House proposals as “fragmented,” favoring a more unified plan.

What’s Next?

• Senate Must Act Too

• The House’s move alone doesn’t put anything on the ballot; the Florida Senate must also pass the same joint resolution by a three-fifths majority for it to advance. 

• So far, Senate leaders have not embraced the House plan and have suggested they might work on their own property-tax approach. 

• Then It Goes to Voters

• If both chambers approve, the proposed constitutional amendment would appear on the Nov. 2026 general election ballot.

• Voters would then need to approve it with at least 60 % support for it to take effect in January 2027.