Florida is moving forward with plans to eliminate the property tax for primary residents
Florida Governor Ron Desantis Joins ‘Varney & Co’ To Discuss Excise Taxes, AI Legislation and the Upcoming Midterm Elections.
Florida Gov. Desantis outlined the next regulatory steps for the state’s effort to end the excise tax on Florida’s top seats.
“People are being defeated by the economy for a lot of things,” Desantis said on FOX’s “Varney & Co” business Friday. “We are doing well in the state [level]but the local property tax hurts people. “
“The facts are these local governments have overspent, and people are paying more for that. And sometimes it’s like, enough, enough, enough, enough, enough.”
Desantis also suggested Friday that the goal is to eliminate the property tax “entirely” for homesteaders — a move that would make Florida the first state in the nation to adopt a traditional homestead while also having no income tax.
A tale of two Floridas: Real estate industry torn apart by desantis’ drive to end property tax
It is reported that lawmakers are advancing a package of proposals in the Florida House that include a $500,000 home exemption (per $1 million), and the option to eliminate the property tax on homes entirely.
Florida Gov Desantis speaks during a news conference announcing the Broward County spending audit, Fort District 4 office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on July 22, 2025. (Pet Pictures)
According to the Florida Compliant Institute (FPI), property taxes generate approximately $55 billion annually and provide approximately 18% of County Revenue, 17% of municipal revenue, and up to 60% of school fees in many areas. The group warns that eliminating the excise tax would force a dramatic increase in other revenue sources — in some estimates, raising the sales tax to 6% from 12%.
The Desantis Office suspended the proposal in March as well has since been vetoed A property tax study that examines how local governments spend tax money and what happens when they run short. Desantis clarified that the tax cuts would need to be included in 60% of voters would need to pass the proposal in 2026 they voted.
Miami Mayor Francis Suareez discusses how York’s high taxes and leftist policies are driving wealthy residents to Florida and record growth in Miami’s growing Bay Area.
“Most of our tax revenue is tax revenue [from] Non-Florida residents because people own second homes … and commercial property. So it ends up being 30% of the [total property tax] Net worth. Now, you may need to continue with the section; There will be things we have to do. We are sensitive to all of that. I want something that can work, and I want something that can pass,” Desantis said Friday.
The governor also said that property tax revenue has increased significantly from an estimated 32 million in 2019, giving the state the ability to significantly increase its rainy day Fund.
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Florida Gov Desantis weighs in on the East Coast election with Sule ONLINE E-‘Annity. ‘
“Think about it – can you have a situation where for five or six years you grow the budget 50, 60%? Now, we had a boom, [which] It caused commodity prices to rise,” said Desantis.
“But how come you buy a home for $350,000 and, four years later, they tell you it’s worth a million dollars and you have to pay more in property taxes? It’s not fair.”
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