DeSantis proposes phased homestead property-tax exclusion, offers short-term grants for local governments

Governor Ron DeSantis told a Florida audience he supports a constitutional amendment to phase out property taxes on homesteaded residences and described a pathway to put the measure before voters.

DeSantis said local property-tax receipts had risen sharply during his tenure and argued homeowners deserve relief. He cited figures saying local property-tax revenue for services rose from "$32,000,000,000" in 2019 to "$60,000,000,000" today and warned that, without action, the number could reach "$83,000,000,000" in a few years. He described those figures as the basis for proposing a homestead exclusion phased in over time and said the state could provide grants to local governments to ease the transition.

"What we're saying is your homesteaded property should be excluded from tax," DeSantis said. He acknowledged the mechanics would require legislative action: 60% of each chamber to place the amendment on the ballot and then a 60% supermajority of voters to adopt it.

DeSantis emphasized targeting nonresidential and investment properties for revenue preservation, saying much of the growth in property tax receipts comes from commercial, non-homestead, and out-of-state owners. He also noted potential residency safeguards to prevent people from moving to Florida merely to claim an exclusion.

The governor offered the plan as a major policy priority but did not present draft language or detailed fiscal analysis at the event. The revenue figures and projections he cited were presented verbally and attributed to his administration's estimates; those figures were not independently documented during the session.