Will Florida cancel property taxes?
Florida lawmakers are currently debating this issue. Senate Bill 852 calls for a study on getting rid of property taxes, something Governor DeSantis backed during his State of the State address in March.
“You buy a home, you pay off the mortgage, and yet you still have to write a check to the government every year just for the privilege of living on your own private property,” DeSantis said in his speech. “Is the property yours, or are you just renting it from the government?”
Property taxes are a major source of funding for local services, schools, and infrastructure. According to the Florida Policy Institute, Florida’s total property tax revenue adds up to over $42 billion. Other ways to offer tax relief may include exemptions, credits, or lower rates.
To actually get rid of property taxes, a constitutional amendment would need approval from 60% of voters.