TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The nonpartisan watchdog group Florida Tax Watch launched a report that lays out 5 choices lawmakers ought to take into account as they start discussing methods to get rid of or cut back property taxes.
The report comes simply forward of the primary particular assembly of the Florida Home Choose Committee on Property Taxes, scheduled for Monday. Gov. Ron DeSantis has been pushing for property tax reform for Floridians and the state’s chief monetary officer, Blaise Ingoglia, is conducting a statewide “Accountability Tour” to indicate taxpayers the alleged bloat in native authorities budgets.
The report, titled “Choices to Get rid of or Cut back the Property Tax Burden on Florida Owners,” gives a variety of proposals—from absolutely phasing out advert valorem taxes on homestead properties to decreasing tax legal responsibility and growing transparency.
Property taxes generated $55 billion for native governments in 2024, with $19 billion of that coming from Florida owners. That income funds key companies akin to public security, schooling, sanitation and hearth safety.
CEO Dominic M. Calabro stated any tax reform must be strategic and defend important companies like public security and schooling and that implementing a clean transition would want engagement from each state and native governments.
“If the aid is concentrated on homesteaders, safeguards in opposition to shifting the tax burden to non-homestead property must be offered,” Calabro stated.
Among the many 5 choices proposed by the group:
- Phasing out property taxes for the state’s estimated 5 million homestead properties over 10 or 30 years, both by progressively growing the homestead exemption or by basing it on a proportion of assessed worth.
- Concentrating on tax aid for seniors, notably these age 65 and older who’ve claimed homestead for not less than 10 years. Beneath the 10-year plan, these seniors could be eligible for a full exemption instantly, eliminating an estimated $3.6 billion in taxes.
- Sustaining college property taxes, which generated $21.5 billion in 2024, whereas phasing out all different native advert valorem taxes. This is able to protect schooling funding whereas relieving an estimated $12 billion in taxes for homestead properties.
- Capping millage charges and decreasing assessed worth throughout the board, providing a flat proportion discount in tax legal responsibility. For instance, a 20% exemption for all properties would save $11 billion yearly, or $8 billion if restricted to homesteads.
- Passing statutory reforms within the 2026 legislative session to enhance transparency and restrict income progress with out requiring a constitutional modification.
Senior Vice President of Analysis Kurt Weener famous that since 2006, Florida voters have thought-about 17 property tax-related constitutional amendments with most of them specializing in homestead aid.
“This historic piecemeal method to assuaging the property tax burden on owners is subjective to political priorities and sometimes ends in larger taxes for renters, companies, and people seeking to purchase their first dwelling,” Weener stated.
“Regardless of the final results of the property tax debate is, state and native governments should collaborate to effectuate accountable stewardship of taxpayer {dollars} and legislators should take into account the fairness of any adjustments.”
The Florida Home Choose Committee on Property Taxes will meet Monday, Sep. 22, to start its evaluate.
