Florida Voters Will Decide on Major Property Tax Cuts This November

In a move that could reshape how Floridians pay for their homes, state lawmakers voted on Tuesday to place a property tax cut on the November ballot. Florida lawmakers approved a sweeping property tax relief proposal backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, sending a constitutional amendment to the November ballot that would dramatically expand homestead exemptions while shielding school district funding from the plan's impact. 
 

For homeowners in our community, this is a big deal, and it is worth understanding exactly what is on the table. 

The amendment focuses on homesteaded homes, meaning your primary residence, the place where you actually live. It does not apply to investment properties, rentals, Airbnbs, second homes, or commercial buildings. 

Right now, the homestead exemption sits at $50,000. The measure would increase Florida's current $50,000 homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. The original proposal aimed to jump straight to $250,000, but the final version lawmakers approved phases it in over two years instead. 
 

According to the plan's supporters, raising the exemption to $250,000 would eliminate property taxes for about 60% of Florida homeowners with homesteaded property. And the long-term goal goes even further. The proposal would also require the Legislature to create a schedule to eventually eliminate homestead property taxes altogether. Some have floated a future $500,000 exemption, which DeSantis says would make about 92% of homesteaded Florida homeowners property tax-free. 
 

This is the question on everyone's mind, and the answer depends on your home's assessed value and your local tax rate. To get a personalized estimate of what this could mean for your own tax bill, residents can use the calculator here: 

I'd encourage everyone to run their own numbers before November so you head to the polls knowing exactly what is at stake for your household. 

A Few Important Details 

The plan comes with some guardrails worth knowing about. New residents will not get the full benefit right away. Starting after Jan. 1, 2027, first-time homeowners would have to display five years of residency to qualify for the new super exemption. There is also a change for non-homestead properties. The measure would also lower the cap on annual assessment increases for non-homestead properties, which include vacation and investment homes and commercial properties, from 10 percent to 5 percent.

Why This Matters Locally 

Here is where it hits close to home. Property taxes are how local governments fund police, fire, schools, roads, parks, and libraries. Critics of the plan worry that cutting these taxes could strain local budgets. To address that, the proposal would create a state trust fund to provide grants to local governments for core services. 
 

This concern is especially relevant for our town right now. Our mayor has openly discussed raising taxes, a conversation you can watch for yourself in the video section of our website.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVLolAJ5jdg
With a statewide property tax cut potentially on the way, the contrast between what is happening at the state level and what is being proposed locally is something every resident should be paying attention to. 

What Happens Next 

The amendment cleared the legislature, but it is not law yet. If lawmakers approve it, 60% of voters would then need to support the measure in November for it to become part of the state constitution. That 60 percent threshold is a high bar, so every vote will count. 
 

This November, the decision is in your hands. Take the time to understand the plan, run your numbers, and make your voice heard at the ballot box.

Sources:
Florida lawmakers approve property tax cut proposal, measure heads to November ballot (WFLX) https://www.wflx.com/2026/06/02/florida-lawmakers-approve-property-tax-cut-proposal-measure-heads-november-ballot/ 

Florida property tax cut plan backed by DeSantis heads to November ballot after legislative approval (CBS Miami) https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/florida-property-tax-cut-plan-november-ballot-desantis-homestead-exemption-2026/ 

Gov. Ron DeSantis calls property tax special session, proposes expanded homestead exemption (WFLX) https://www.wflx.com/2026/05/27/gov-ron-desantis-calls-property-tax-special-session-proposes-expanded-homestead-exemption/ 

DeSantis calls special session on homestead property tax elimination (WWSB / MySuncoast) https://www.mysuncoast.com/2026/05/27/desantis-calls-special-session-homestead-property-tax-elimination/ 

Florida property tax relief: DeSantis calls special legislative session (FOX 13 Tampa Bay) https://www.fox13news.com/news/governor-desantis-announces-special-legislative-session-make-your-homestead-property-tax-free