Florida homeowners could be asked this November to decide whether to phase out property taxes on their primary residences. Speaking in Tampa on May 27, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced he would convene a special legislative session beginning June 1 to advance a proposed constitutional amendment that would sharply raise the homestead exemption now and chart a path toward eliminating homestead property taxes entirely. For Miami-Dade, where rising assessments have stretched household budgets, the plan would land directly on the region’s homeowners and the local governments that depend on their tax dollars.
The Proposal: A Phased Path to Eliminating Homestead Taxes
The plan, branded “Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes,” would immediately exempt the first $250,000 of a homestead’s value from taxation, up from the current structure built around a $50,000 exemption. It would then direct the Legislature to set a schedule for fully eliminating homestead property taxes over time.
DeSantis estimated that the $250,000 exemption would zero out property taxes for roughly 60% of homesteaded owners statewide, and that a later increase to $500,000 would leave about 92% paying nothing. The governor framed the measure as a response to housing costs and local tax collections he said have grown too fast, noting that property tax revenue collected by local governments has climbed from about $32 billion in 2019 to roughly $60 billion now, with projections reaching $83 billion by 2032. Property taxes in Florida fund local governments rather than the state.
What It Would Mean for Miami-Dade Homeowners
The exemption applies to primary residences, not second homes, commercial buildings, or non-homestead rentals. An analysis by NBC 6 South Florida using Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser data estimated that local homeowners could see average annual savings of around $1,500 under the initial change. The benefit would be larger for owners of lower- and mid-valued homes, since a $250,000 exemption wipes out the taxable base entirely for many such properties while leaving higher-valued homes partially taxed.
The plan also adds a residency condition. New arrivals who establish Florida residency after the amendment passes could be required to pay under the current system for up to five years before qualifying for the full benefit, a provision DeSantis said is meant to discourage people from relocating solely to avoid property taxes.
Guardrails for Local Services and Businesses
Because property taxes underwrite schools, public safety, and infrastructure, the proposal includes measures intended to protect those functions. Remaining revenue from commercial and non-homestead residential property would be restricted to core services such as public safety, education, infrastructure, and natural resources. The plan would also cut the annual assessment growth cap for small businesses from 10% to 5%, and it envisions a state trust fund to provide grants to local governments for core services, including in rural areas with smaller tax bases.
DeSantis said he would not seek new taxes to offset the lost collections, arguing that too much revenue already flows from taxpayers to local governments. That stance leaves open a central question for cities and counties: how to absorb a significant reduction in their largest revenue source without new funding streams.
A Fast Timeline and an Uncertain Path
The session is scheduled to run June 1 through June 3. Sen. Bryan Avila is set to carry the legislation as Senate Joint Resolution 2-F and Senate Bill 4-F, with an Appropriations Committee hearing Monday and a possible floor vote soon after. Lawmakers would have until August to finalize ballot language for the November election.
The path is steep. A constitutional amendment needs approval from at least 60% of both the House and Senate to reach the ballot, and then 60% of voters to take effect.
Reactions and Open Questions
Senate President Ben Albritton signaled support in a memo to senators, describing the approach as meaningful relief that also protects businesses and safeguards local funding. House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, was cooler, noting the House had already passed its own proposed amendment to eliminate homestead property taxes and saying members were pleased the Governor has finally gotten around to share an actual proposal. The exchange reflects a year of differences between the two on tax policy, with Perez having earlier favored sales-tax cuts.
Beyond the politics, fiscal analysts and local officials are likely to scrutinize how the guardrails would hold up in practice, whether the trust fund would fully replace lost revenue, and how a shrinking homestead tax base might shift costs onto commercial and non-homestead properties over time. Those answers will shape the debate Miami-Dade residents weigh before any November vote.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. The proposal described here is not law; it must clear the Legislature and win 60% voter approval, and its terms, savings estimates, and implementation details may change. Individual property tax outcomes vary by home value, location, and exemption status. Homeowners should consult the Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser, the Florida Department of Revenue, or a qualified tax professional for guidance on their specific situation.
