The Florida Legislature approved House Joint Resolution 1-F (HJR 1-F), a proposed constitutional amendment titled the “Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes” amendment. Backed by Governor Ron DeSantis, the measure aims to drastically reduce or entirely eliminate non-school local property taxes for primary homeowners. It requires a 60% voter approval threshold to pass.
Key Provisions of the Proposed Amendment
If approved, the amendment will implement several sweeping structural changes to Florida’s property tax system starting January 1, 2027:
- Massive Homestead Exemption Boost: Increases the existing $50,000 homestead exemption on primary residences to $150,000 in 2027, and up to $250,000 in 2028. This will completely wipe out non-school local property taxes for roughly 60% of homesteaded homeowners.
- School Tax Shield: The expanded exemption does not apply to school district taxes. School levies will remain protected under the current baseline rules to prevent a catastrophic collapse in public education funding.
- Inflation Indexing: Starting in 2029, the $250,000 exemption limit will automatically adjust annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
- New Resident Phase-In: To ensure fairness for established residents, anyone moving to Florida after December 31, 2026, will only get a $50,000 initial exemption. Newcomers must maintain Florida residency for five years before qualifying for the full expanded exemption.
- Commercial & Rental Property Assessment Cap: Cuts the maximum allowable annual assessment increase for non-homestead properties (such as rental units, vacation homes, and commercial spaces) from 10% to 5%.
- Local Spending Restrictions: Restricts counties and municipalities to using remaining property tax revenues strictly for seven “core services”: public safety (police/fire), public schools, infrastructure (roads/bridges/stormwater), natural resources (flood control), local bonds/debt, employee pensions, and basic county office administration.
The Debated Financial Impacts
The ballot measure has sparked an intense debate about its potential effects on the state’s economic landscape.
| Perspective | Key Arguments & Estimates |
| Proponents (GOP / Supporters) | • Provides immediate financial relief to families facing a high cost of living. • Asserts that residents shouldn’t pay perpetual “rent” to the government on land they own. • Argues that state audits show local governments can absorb the losses by cutting bloated budgets. |
| Opponents (Democrats / Cities) | • Projected to strip local governments of $4.6 billion initially, rising to $8.4 billion annually. • Forces cuts to unprotected public amenities like libraries, parks, pools, and local community programs. • Warns that cities may hike alternative local fees, sales taxes, or utility costs to compensate. • Offers zero direct tax relief for renters while shifting burdens onto business owners. |
Homesteaded property owners can use the Save Our Homes Savings Calculator and read a Myth vs. Fact page created by the State of Florida
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