DeSantis pitches slashing property taxes instead of sales tax cut – Washington Examiner
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has proposed a significant restructuring of the state’s tax system,advocating for a reduction in property taxes rather than the previously suggested cut to the sales tax. During a press conference, DeSantis announced his intention to pursue a constitutional amendment aimed at eliminating property taxes altogether, which would appear on the 2026 ballot. This initiative counters a recent proposal by Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez to decrease the sales tax from 6% to 5.25%, which is expected to save taxpayers about $5 billion annually.
DeSantis expressed concerns that the sales tax cut would primarily benefit foreigners and part-time residents, emphasizing the need to address property taxes, which he believes significantly impact Floridians. He highlighted the dramatic increase in property values over recent years, making property tax relief crucial for residents, especially considering many homebuyers are now facing much higher property valuations than when they purchased their homes.
The governor’s plan would possibly result in approximately $1,000 in savings for each homesteaded resident if a $5 billion reduction in property taxes is enacted. He argued that the focus should be on what would yield the greatest benefit for Floridians, stating that while he is open to discussions about sales tax reductions, property tax relief should take precedence. This aligns with his previous calls for constitutional reform to address property taxes, illustrating a consistent theme in his governance focused on taxpayer relief and efficiency in local government financial practices.
DeSantis pitches slashing property taxes instead of proposed $5 billion sales tax cut
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) countered a Florida House proposal to slash the state’s sales tax with a plan to cut property taxes by billions.
During a press conference on Monday with the Florida Realtors Association, DeSantis announced plans to pursue a constitutional amendment seeking to abolish property taxes altogether that would be placed on the state’s 2026 ballot. He also weighed in on Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez’s recent proposal to reduce the sales tax from 6% to 5.25%. The proposed legislation would save taxpayers $5 billion annually, Perez said last week.
While he praised the Florida GOP for setting the $5 billion target on cutting taxes, the governor expressed concern Monday that the proposal would provide the most relief “for foreigners, visitors, [and] part-time residents.” Although he still left the door open to making cuts to the sales tax, DeSantis urged lawmakers to prioritize property tax relief, arguing that such a move would put Florida “first.”
“Of all the taxes impacting Floridians, property taxes are the most significant,” DeSantis said. “I can tell you that when people talk to me about taxes, 99% talk about property taxes,” he continued, adding that many residents have bought homes for $250,000 or less only to find them now valued at over a million dollars.
Home prices in Florida have experienced drastic hikes in recent years, quadrupling in Miami since 2012 and tripling in Orlando and Tampa.
“I’m fine with doing sales tax reductions,” the governor said. “Heck, I’ve proposed sales tax reductions and enacted many sales tax reductions since I’ve been governor … [But] how are you cutting taxes? Are you going to focus on what gets you the most bang for the buck to help Florida residents? That is where I think the focus needs to be. So you got to do property relief. If you want to do sales on top of that, I’m all for that. But this property stuff needs to be addressed.”
“I very much appreciate those folks in the House that set the $5 billion target,” DeSantis continued. “If that is something they’re willing to discuss … We’ll come with a proposal to focus that $5 billion on reducing property taxes.”
The governor said that if lawmakers came together on cutting $5 billion in property taxes, Floridians could see roughly $1,000 in savings.
“We would end up with about $1,000 in property tax cut for every homesteaded Floridian,” he said. “This is just the opening salvo … We want to have a constitutional amendment on property taxes.”
This isn’t the first time DeSantis has pitched gutting property taxes. During his State of the State address earlier this month, the governor similarly expressed support for pursuing a constitutional amendment enacting property tax relief.
“You buy a home, pay off a mortgage — and yet you still have to write a check to the government every year just to live on your own property?” the governor questioned. “Is the property yours, or are you just renting from the government?”
DESANTIS IMPLORES LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO SEEK AUDITS FROM STATE DOGE TASK FORCE
The Florida governor also recently urged local governments to agree to voluntary audits by the state’s Department of Government Efficiency task force to scrutinize property tax practices.
“We really hope to be able to deliver some serious, serious audits working with the Florida legislature of what’s going on in these local governments,” DeSantis said.
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