Ron DeSantis on Property Taxes

Ron DeSantis has strongly positioned himself as an advocate for the abolition of all homestead property taxes in Florida, arguing that homeowners should not be required to pay 'rent' to the government for their primary residence. Despite this clear and repeated rallying cry, which he has advanced for months and throughout his tenure, he has not released a specific, written policy plan detailing the funding mechanisms to replace the lost local revenue. This lack of specific detail has drawn criticism, with some observers noting that without a plan for backfilling the massive revenue gap for essential services, the elimination could bankrupt local entities or necessitate major tax structure shifts.

Legislative efforts in 2026 have centered on proposals to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot to eliminate the non-school portion of homestead property taxes over a ten-year phase-out starting in 2027, which aligns partially with his goal but does not go as far as full abolition. Analyses suggest that replacing property tax revenue with sales taxes would require nearly doubling the state's general sales tax rate. While he has proposed one-time rebates as immediate relief, the core debate remains focused on the foundational shift away from property tax reliance and the resulting implications for funding schools, police, fire departments, and other critical local services.