Will (and Can) Florida Get Rid of Property Tax? 

A bold political pitch, a fiscal reality check, and what it means for taxpayers, lawyers, and local governments.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently made headlines by suggesting that the state might pursue a constitutional amendment to eliminate property taxes altogether. In a social media post, he called property taxes “oppressive” and questioned whether homeownership is real if you’re “basically paying rent to the government.”

But while the political messaging is attention-grabbing, the underlying policy is far more complicated. Property taxes are deeply unpopular across the country, especially in states where home values have skyrocketed. However, in Florida, they are also the financial bedrock of local government.

This article explores what’s behind the push to eliminate property taxes, what other states have tried, and why the proposal—however appealing in theory—is unlikely to work in practice.

The Politics of Property Tax Populism

Property taxes have overtaken income taxes as the most hated tax in America. Unlike income or sales taxes, which are often paid in smaller increments and withheld automatically, property taxes usually arrive as a lump sum—and the dollar amounts can be startling.

In Florida, where home values have jumped over 60% in just five years, many taxpayers—especially retirees on fixed incomes—are feeling the squeeze. Governor DeSantis has seized on that frustration, echoing a common anti-tax sentiment: If you have to keep paying taxes on your home, do you really own it?

The message resonates, especially in a state with no income tax and a political culture steeped in tax limitation. But eliminating property taxes isn’t just a question of fairness or philosophy. It’s a question of math.

The Fiscal Reality: $43 Billion at Stake

Property taxes in Florida generate roughly $43 billion annually. That’s two-thirds of all local tax revenue and over a third of the state’s total budget. Unlike many states, Florida does not collect state-level property taxes—the revenue flows directly to counties, cities, school districts, and special taxing districts.

Replacing that revenue would require either massive spending cuts or alternative revenue sources. The most likely option? Raising the sales tax—already at 6% statewide, with some counties adding local surtaxes up to 1.5%. Doubling it might cover the gap, but would shift the tax burden toward consumption, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income residents.

Moreover, replacing local property tax revenue with state-level funding would erode local fiscal autonomy. Cities and counties would have less control over their budgets and more dependence on Tallahassee.

Other States, Same Struggles

Florida isn’t alone in wrestling with property tax pressure. Since 2021, more than 30 states have passed or considered property tax relief. These efforts range from targeted exemptions to expanded credits and inflation-based caps. But full repeal? That’s a different story.

In 2024, North Dakota voters rejected a ballot measure that would have eliminated property taxes, with just 36% voting in favor. A coalition of local governments and service providers warned of devastating cuts to schools, police, and infrastructure. The message landed: taxpayers may hate the tax, but they rely on the services it funds.

Nebraska tried a more modest approach. Governor Jim Pillen proposed replacing local revenue with state funds and raising so-called “sin taxes.” After two rounds of legislation and intense political wrangling, the result was a limited property tax credit—not structural reform.

What’s Happening in Florida Now

Despite the governor’s high-profile remarks, there’s no official proposal to eliminate Florida’s property tax. What’s more likely are incremental changes, like increased homestead exemptions or targeted relief for seniors and public service workers.

Recent history supports that approach. In 2020, voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment 5, extending the portability of Save Our Homes benefits. In 2024, they passed another Amendment 5 (coincidentally numbered) to index the homestead exemption to inflation. A 2022 proposal to give certain public sector workers an extra exemption narrowly failed to meet the 60% voter threshold.

Meanwhile, Florida lawmakers have introduced bills to study property tax alternatives and modestly increase exemptions. These efforts reflect the political pressure to act, but also the caution required when dealing with the state’s most important local funding source.

Implications for Legal and Financial Professionals

For business, property, and probate attorneys—as well as CPAs and tax advisors—this debate is more than academic. Florida’s property tax structure shapes everything from estate planning to business location decisions. If serious reform efforts do take hold, clients will need guidance on:

• The impact of constitutional amendments on long-term property holdings

• Changes in homestead exemption rules and Save Our Homes portability

• Shifting local funding burdens and their effect on service delivery

• How new tax structures (e.g., expanded sales tax) affect different industries

In the meantime, professionals should keep an eye on proposed legislation, ballot initiatives, and agency guidance. Even small tweaks to the system can have significant ripple effects for property owners, businesses, and municipalities.

Conclusion: A Flashy Idea Meets a Complex Reality

Eliminating the property tax makes for great political theater—but poor fiscal policy. It’s an idea that captures public frustration but runs headlong into economic, legal, and structural obstacles. In all likelihood, Florida’s property tax isn’t going anywhere. But expect more talk, more tweaks, and a growing need for legal and financial professionals to help their clients navigate the shifting terrain.

After all, as one expert noted, the property tax “will never have a quiet life.”