Gov. DeSantis calls 'historic' Special Session that could lead to end of homestead property taxes

Key Points:

• Governor Ron DeSantis has called a Special Session starting June 1 to discuss significant changes to Florida’s homestead property tax structure, aiming to make homestead property tax-free through a phased approach.
• The plan includes raising the homestead exemption limit to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, with a long-term goal of fully eliminating homestead property taxes, subject to voter approval in November.
• The proposal requires property taxes to fund core services like schools and first responders, limits small business value appreciation to 5% annually, and imposes a five-year tax requirement for new residents after the amendment passes.
• The Special Session will not propose new taxes to offset local government revenue losses; instead, a trust fund will be created to help fiscally constrained counties, funded by the state budget surplus.
• The plan has strong bipartisan support among voters and key political figures, including Senate President Ben Albritton and potential DeSantis successors, with polls showing 77% overall approval.