Florida Homeowners Still Carry the Load While Tax Relief Measures Stall

Florida Homeowners Still Carry the Load While Tax Relief Measures Stall

Being a homeowner in Florida has gone from living the dream to footing the bill — not just for your own property, but for everyone else’s tax break. With soaring property taxes and outrageous homeowners insurance costs, many Floridians are looking for real, targeted relief.

Governor Ron DeSantis proposed bold solutions to ease the burden on Florida homeowners. First, he pushed a Florida First bill that would have eliminated property taxes for full-time residents that was shot down by the Legislature. He followed up with a plan for a $1,000 property tax rebate for qualified homeowners by December 2025. Once again, Florida lawmakers (Ways and Means) said no.

Instead, they prioritized a massive $5 billion sales tax cut that benefits just about everyone but the Florida homeowner — including tourists, part-time residents, and even commercial property owners.

The proposal includes:

• A reduction in state sales tax from 6% to 5.25%

• A cut in commercial rent tax from 2% to 1.25%

• Lower electricity taxes from 4.35% to 3.6%

• A drop in new mobile home sales tax from 3% to 2.25%

• A cut on coin-operated amusement machines from 4% to 3.25%

Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez called it the “largest tax cut in state history.” But Governor DeSantis responded with a clear message:

“People are not clamoring for sales tax relief, they are clamoring for property tax relief. The current plan gives relief to foreigners, visitors, and part-time residents. We need a Florida-first tax package.”

What’s on the Florida Ballot in 2026?

A few state lawmakers have proposed measures aimed at property tax relief, though none have advanced far in the Legislature:

• Sen. Blaise Ingoglia (R–Spring Hill) proposed raising the homestead exemption cap from $50,000 to $75,000 with annual inflation adjustments (SB 1018).

• Rep. Ryan Chamberlin (R–Belleview) suggested a $100,000 exemption on all real properties in Florida (HB 357).

For now, Florida homeowners are once again left waiting with no clear relief in sight, no action taken. While politicians push flashy sales tax packages that benefit out-of-state visitors and corporate interests, it’s everyday Floridians who continue to shoulder the burden of government.

The promise of relief remains just that, nothing but an empty promise.

UPDATE:
On April 7, 2025, Governor DeSantis announced that Florida remained the top destination for travelers worldwide, welcoming a record-breaking 142.9 million visitors in 2024.

Millions of out-of-state tourists — including foreign visitors and part-time residents — may get to keep more money in their pockets when spending in Florida. Does that mean they will spend even more? Not likly as they won't hardley notice the at all.

Meanwhile, full-time Florida homeowners are still waiting for ANY relief in the form of homeowners insurance, or property tax. Proposals from Governor DeSantis to eliminate property tax or offer rebates were rejected, and efforts to expand homestead exemptions have since stalled.

So while tourists save, Floridians pay. Once again, homeowners are left footing the bill, not just for their homes, but for a government that puts everyone else first.