DeSantis Calls Special Session for Property Tax Exemption Plan
Governor proposes eliminating property taxes for up to 92% of homeowners, calling lawmakers back for special session starting Monday.
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday his proposal for a homestead property tax exemption that could affect local governments’ ability to fund schools, health care, and public safety services, while calling for a three-day special legislative session beginning Monday.
The governor revealed his plan during an event in Tampa, proposing to increase the state’s existing homestead exemption to $250,000, which he said would immediately eliminate property taxes for 60% of Florida homeowners. DeSantis indicated he wants the exemption to eventually reach $500,000, potentially eliminating property taxes for up to 92% of homesteaded property owners.
Legislative Approval Process
The proposal requires three-fifths approval from both the Florida House and Senate, followed by 60% approval from Florida voters as a proposed constitutional amendment in November. This marks the third special session since the regular legislative session ended in March.
DeSantis rejected earlier tax proposals offered by the Florida House this year. Despite discussing the elimination of all property taxes for more than a year, he eventually narrowed his focus to homestead property taxes only.
Limited Details on Core Services
The governor provided few specifics beyond a one-page summary, stating he wants to “ensure funding for core services.” While no definition of core services appears in the summary, DeSantis said they “include” public safety, education, infrastructure, and natural resources.
“We need to start standing up for taxpayers,” DeSantis said. “For all this time, as we’ve seen inflation throughout the country, all these different things, it’s always the individual, the consumer, the taxpayer that’s expected to change things in order to make ends meet. They never expect government to be able to change things that so that it can benefit the taxpayers.”
Impact on Local Government Funding
Local governments contribute nearly half of school funding, with property taxes providing much of the local government revenue stream. The proposal raises questions about how essential services would maintain funding if property tax revenue decreases significantly.
“We’ve always focused on the homestead part of it, which, again, is less money than local governments get from residential properties that are not homestead, so that is something that’s doable and it’s something that’s really, really meaningful,” DeSantis explained.
The timing for increasing the exemption to $500,000 would be left to the Legislature’s discretion, according to the governor. The Florida Legislature is required to meet annually for 60 days during regular sessions.
