Senate committee backs bill requiring online listings to show estimated property taxes

Senator DeSigli sponsored SB 856, telling the Finance & Tax Committee the bill would require online residential listing platforms to display estimated property taxes using a Department of Revenue formula or countywide average millage rates and prohibit using the current owner's tax figure to estimate a buyer's liability. The sponsor described the measure as "consumer friendly" and said constituents are often surprised by tax increases after purchase.

The bill drew support from multiple stakeholders. Jeff Scala of the Florida Association of Counties said the measure provides "good governance and transparency" so constituents can see the effect of Save Our Homes and other tax features on future tax bills. Mike Twitty, Pinellas County Property Appraiser and legislative chair of the Property Appraisers Association of Florida, told senators that cap resets can sharply raise a homeowner's tax bill — in some cases producing increases of many times the prior amount — and that many buyers currently see the seller's tax amount on listing pages, which can mislead first-time buyers. Twitty said platforms that already provide payment estimates can ingest DOR data annually; platforms that do not would instead provide a link to a local property appraiser’s estimator.

Senators asked implementation questions aimed at protecting first-time buyers and ensuring escrow practices do not leave homeowners surprised. Senator Bernard urged future coordination with bankers so escrow accounts are adjusted to cover tax changes and avoid shortage notices. Senator Mayfield pressed that platforms and listing agents should make the new calculation clear on their pages so buyers do not have to navigate to tax-collector sites themselves; the sponsor said he would follow up after the meeting.

Following debate, the committee clerk called the roll and the committee reported Senate Bill 856 favorably.