Florida Governor Seeks Property Tax Changes Limited to Homestead Owners
Governor Ron DeSantis has proposed limiting future property tax relief to permanent Florida residents who own homestead properties. The plan would exclude seasonal residents and out-of-state investors from new exemptions.
NewsweekFlorida Governor Ron DeSantis said during a roundtable in Brevard County earlier this week that property tax relief should apply only to long-term Florida residents. He stated that wealthy out-of-state buyers and seasonal residents should continue paying taxes on second homes and investment properties.
DeSantis has advocated for the gradual elimination of homestead property taxes since last year. A House bill that would have increased the homestead exemption over ten years and fully exempted homesteads from non-school taxes by 2037 passed the Florida House but was not taken up by the Senate.
House Joint Resolution 203 remains in limbo pending a possible special session before mid-August. DeSantis said he wants to prevent local governments from shifting tax burdens onto small businesses while protecting funding for law enforcement and education.
He also proposed requiring new residents to pay taxes for a set period before qualifying for homestead exemptions.
Property taxes in Florida have nearly doubled since 2019, reaching roughly $55-60 billion. 79 percent, according to Rocket Mortgage data. A Stetson University survey found that three out of four Florida voters support a property tax amendment. A March poll by the Florida Policy Institute showed that 68 percent of voters prefer keeping current property taxes rather than raising the state sales tax to 12 percent to offset lost revenue.
Snowbirds and out-of-state investors already pay higher property taxes because they cannot claim the homestead exemption. A December 2025 Snowbird Advisor survey found that only 70 percent of Canadian snowbirds planned to spend the winter in Florida, down from 82 percent the previous year.
A Royal LePage poll indicated that 54 percent of Canadians are considering selling Florida properties within the next year. Canadians own an estimated $60 billion in Florida residential property and pay over $600 million annually in property taxes, according to Sylvia Cesaratto, Consul General of Canada in Miami.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
3 events- Earlier this week
DeSantis discussed property tax reform at a Brevard County roundtable.
1 sourceNewsweek - Last year
DeSantis began advocating for gradual elimination of homestead property taxes.
1 sourceNewsweek - Before end of legislative session
Florida House passed bill increasing homestead exemption over ten years.
1 sourceNewsweek
Potential Impact
- 01
Local governments may face revenue shortfalls if homestead exemptions expand without offsetting measures.
- 02
Seasonal residents could sell properties if tax burdens increase further.
- 03
Tourism-related spending may decline if fewer snowbirds visit Florida.
Transparency Panel
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