Florida Property Tax Elimination: What’s Actually Being Proposed (and What It Could Mean for You)
Is Florida really getting rid of property taxes for homeowners?
Right now, no—there’s no “no property tax” measure on the ballot today, and nothing has been approved by voters. But there is a very real, very public push happening in Florida politics to reduce (and potentially eliminate) certain property taxes on primary residences in the future. And it’s worth understanding—especially if you own a home in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Orange Park, Fleming Island, Nocatee, Ponte Vedra Beach, or anywhere else here in Northeast Florida.
So let’s slow down and walk through it. Because this topic gets emotional fast. And understandably so.
First: Property taxes in Florida aren’t a “state tax”
Florida doesn’t collect property tax at the state level the way it collects (for example) sales tax.
Property taxes are primarily local. They fund things like:
county and city services
fire and rescue
parks and libraries
infrastructure and stormwater
and yes—schools, which is a big piece of this puzzle
That’s why this conversation gets complicated: when people say “eliminate property taxes,” what they’re really saying is, “How do we replace a massive source of funding that keeps local government running?”
What’s being talked about (in plain English)
The governor has been talking publicly about eliminating property taxes for homesteaded properties—meaning your primary, owner-occupied home.
At the same time, the Florida House has pushed proposals that would do something slightly different (and more specific): phase out the non-school portion of property taxes for homesteaded homes over time, by increasing the homestead exemption year after year.
Here’s the key point:
Even the biggest proposals being discussed still tend to leave school taxes in place.
So for many homeowners, this is less “your tax bill goes to zero overnight” and more “the county/city portion could shrink, gradually, if it ever passes.”
Why it’s not on the ballot yet (and what would have to happen)
If Florida makes a major change like this, it typically requires a constitutional amendment.
That means:
Lawmakers would need to pass a proposal in the Legislature (the House and Senate have to align—no small thing).
Then it would need to go to voters on a statewide ballot.
Then it would need 60% voter approval to pass.
So when you see headlines that feel like “property taxes are ending,” just remember:
Talking about it publicly is not the same thing as passing it.
We’re still in the “idea → proposal → political negotiation” part of the process.
Why this conversation is happening now
This is the part that gets people nodding their heads.
Property taxes have climbed because home values have climbed, and Florida has seen huge growth and demand (hello, post-2020 population boom). Even if your millage rate didn’t skyrocket, your taxable value might have.
And when homeowners feel like their payment is creeping up every year—especially retirees or anyone on a fixed income—it stops feeling like a normal cost of homeownership and starts feeling like:
“I already paid for my house. Why am I still getting priced out of living in it?”
That’s the emotional center of this issue. And honestly, it’s a fair concern.
The revenue question: “Didn’t Florida operate on less before?”
A lot of people are asking exactly what you’re asking:
“If statewide property tax revenue was way lower just a few years ago, and Florida still functioned… what changed?”
Here are the big realities:
Statewide property tax dollars have increased dramatically over the last several years.
Even rough statewide comparisons show a jump from around $31B in 2019 to around $55B in 2024—an increase of roughly $24B.
That’s a big number. Like, hard to ignore big.
Now, here’s the important nuance:
Florida “the state” didn’t suddenly get all of that extra money
Because again—property taxes are mostly local.
So yes, more money is coming in through property taxes overall, but it’s flowing primarily into counties, cities, and school districts, not just the state’s general revenue pot.
That’s why you’ll hear two very different arguments:
Supporters: “Homeowners are getting squeezed, and local budgets have grown with rising values.”
Opponents: “Local services and schools are funded by this, and removing it creates a gap that has to be filled.”
Both are pointing at something real.
The fear everyone has: “They’ll just tax us somewhere else”
This is probably the loudest concern we hear:
“If property taxes go away, won’t Florida just raise sales tax or add some new tax?”
That concern isn’t random. Any plan to replace tens of billions in local funding would likely require some combination of:
higher sales taxes (statewide and/or local)
new fees
spending cuts
shifting more costs to tourists/visitors (harder than it sounds)
or a mix of all of the above
And that’s why a lot of voters may hesitate. Nobody wants a “tax cut” that turns into a “tax shuffle.”
What this could mean for NE Florida homeowners (if anything ever passes)
If a homestead-focused proposal became law in the future, here’s what we’d expect the conversation to turn into locally:
How would Duval, St. Johns, Clay, Nassau, and surrounding counties replace revenue?
Would cities like Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach, and Jax Beach reduce services, increase fees, or adjust other taxes?
Would the change apply to everyone equally—or mainly benefit certain price points?
Would renters indirectly feel impacts if landlords lose (or don’t lose) taxes and costs shift elsewhere?
In other words: even if you love the idea, it’s not a simple switch flip. The details are everything.
The takeaway
Florida is having a serious “big picture” conversation about property taxes—especially for primary residences. The governor is pushing the idea publicly, and lawmakers have floated different versions that range from targeted relief to long-term phase-outs.
But today, property taxes still exist, and nothing has been placed on a ballot for voters to approve yet.
If you’re a homeowner—especially if you’re thinking long-term retirement affordability—this is one of those issues worth tracking, calmly, with your eyes open. The idea has upside. It also has real tradeoffs. Both can be true.
Want to talk through how property taxes affect your specific home?
If you’re in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Orange Park, Fleming Island, Nocatee, Ponte Vedra Beach, or anywhere in Northeast Florida, we’re happy to help you look at the numbers for your property and talk through what changes could mean for you as a homeowner or buyer.
Give us a call at 904-503-0672, email info@crossviewrealty.com, or visit https://www.crossviewrealty.com
FAQs
Q: Is Florida getting rid of property taxes for homeowners right now?
A: No. There’s no active “no property tax” rule in place for homeowners, and nothing has passed statewide by voter approval. What’s happening now is public discussion and proposed legislative paths that could lead to a ballot question later.
Q: Would Florida property tax elimination apply to rental properties or second homes?
A: Most of the conversation has centered around homesteaded properties—your primary residence. Rental properties and second homes are typically treated differently under Florida property tax rules, and proposals often keep those categories taxed.
Q: If Florida eliminated property taxes, how would schools be funded?
A: That’s one of the biggest reasons this is controversial. Many proposals specifically do not eliminate school district property taxes, even if they reduce other parts of the tax bill. Schools are a major funding component, and any change has to address that.
Q: Would sales tax go up if Florida ended property taxes?
A: It’s possible. Replacing property tax revenue statewide would require a major funding shift—meaning higher sales tax, new fees, spending cuts, or some combination. That uncertainty is exactly why some voters are cautious.
Q: How do property taxes impact buying a home in Jacksonville, FL?
A: Property taxes can change your monthly payment and your long-term affordability—especially if you’re buying at today’s prices. When we help buyers in Jacksonville and across Northeast Florida, we look at estimated taxes and talk through how homestead exemptions and future changes may affect your budget.
