By Jim Carchidi
May 28, 2026
The effort to eliminate property taxes for Florida homeowners will move forward Monday with a special legislative session called by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Lawmakers will consider a constitutional amendment for the November ballot that would grant an unprecedented increase to the homestead exemption.
The details
Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled his property tax relief plan during a May 27 press event in Tampa.
The amendment proposal put forward by DeSantis would raise the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $250,000. He said the measure would eliminate property taxes for about 60% of statewide homeowners with homesteaded properties. An additional requirement creates a schedule to raise the exemption to $500,000. Speaking at a Wednesday press event in Tampa, DeSantis explained the schedule would be worked out with the legislature after the November vote.
"When you raise to a $500,000 limit, 92% of all Florida residents would be tax free,” he said.
The numbers
- 60% of the legislature needs to approve for the proposal to make the November 3 ballot
- 60% of voters need to approve for the amendment to become part of the state constitution
- 60% of Florida residents would be property tax-free with the initial $250,000 exemption
- 92% of Florida residents would be property tax-free with the $500,000 exemption
Not so fast
The proposal includes a provision requiring a five-year wait period for new residents to qualify for the full property tax benefit. DeSantis said the provision is meant to prevent residency based solely on avoiding property taxes.
The loudest argument against property tax relief has been the funding it provides for local services. As a solution, DeSantis is also proposing a state trust to fund infrastructure and public safety services for local governments and rural areas with small tax bases.
What’s next
The special session will run from Monday to Wednesday. If the proposal is approved, lawmakers will have until August to finalize ballot language in time for the November ballot.
Sponsor: The Orlando Real is sponsored by the Pozek Group — the #1 real estate team in Orlando and the Official Real Estate Team of the Orlando Magic.
About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
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