TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida homeowners could see lower taxes if Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed property tax plan moves forward, but local governments could face significant revenue losses.
State lawmakers are returning to Tallahassee for a special session to consider proposals that could lower or even eliminate property taxes for homeowners.
DeSantis’ proposal would ask voters to begin phasing out property taxes on homesteaded properties. The plan would raise the homestead exemption to $150,000 and then to $250,000 by 2028. It would also allow lawmakers to eventually eliminate property taxes for homeowners altogether.
“I’m very concerned about the non-ad valorem, which I think will end up with some people paying more,” Jeff Brandes, president of the Florida Policy Project, said on “This Week in South Florida” with Local 10’s Glenna Milberg.
Brandes said many questions remain unanswered about the governor’s proposal.
“Is this a tax cut or tax shift? If it is a tax shift, who is it being shifted onto?” Brandes said.
He added that any shift in tax revenue could result in higher costs for renters or increases in sales taxes, water bills or electric bills.
Property appraisers across South Florida are also raising concerns about the potential impact on local governments that rely on property tax revenue.
“The Broward County Commission will lose about $200 million, the School Board will lose about $300 million and all the cities will lose revenue based on the amount of homestead they have,” Broward County Property Appraiser Marty Kiar said on “This Week in South Florida” Sunday.
Miami-Dade Property Appraiser Tomas Regalado said the financial impact would be significant but manageable for larger municipalities.
“The hit to Miami-Dade County as a whole will be big but not the last straw,” Regalado said on TWISF. “There will be small municipalities that will have hardship dealing with this, but not Miami, Hialeah.”
The proposal marks what could be DeSantis’ final major initiative before the end of his last term in office.
The next step rests with state lawmakers, who must decide whether to place the measure before voters in November.
“There’s so much that goes into this, and I’m hoping if something is put on the ballot, which is so important, I really hope they do their research. This will be the most consequential vote they’ll ever take,” Kiar said.
The proposal would need approval from 60% of both the House and Senate to make it onto the ballot. If approved, voters would have the final say in November.
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