Florida lawmakers are moving fast on a plan that could slash property taxes for primary homeowners, and it’s a pretty big deal. The state House recently advanced HJR 203, a proposal backed by Ron DeSantis, that would eliminate most city and county property taxes on homesteaded homes starting January 1, 2027, if voters give it the green light in 2026.
Before you pop the champagne, taxes would not disappear completely. Homeowners would still pay school taxes, which means bills could drop roughly 35% to 65%, not all the way to zero, but still meaningful savings.
Supporters say this keeps Florida’s low tax reputation strong and gives full time residents some breathing room. Critics, including state economists, warn it could leave a massive funding gap for local governments, with concerns about how cities would maintain services like infrastructure and staffing. The bill does include a safeguard requiring police funding to stay at recent levels, though cities may still look for other ways to make up lost revenue through fees or assessments.
From a housing perspective, the big question is whether savings translate into real relief or just higher home prices. More buying power can push prices up, especially in tight inventory markets, but demand in Florida has always been driven more by migration, lifestyle, and job growth than any single tax change.
Who wins the most? In raw dollars, higher priced homeowners see the biggest savings. In real life impact, retirees and middle income families who have watched their tax bills climb may feel the relief the most.
The bottom line, this is not just a tax story. It is a housing supply, affordability, and growth story too. If Florida balances relief with smart planning, it could reinforce exactly why so many people continue to move here.
