(Correction: This story has been updated to report that the only local tax that will remain untouched is for schools. Public safety and other main services will be affected by the property tax cuts.)
Sarasota County homeowners could see property tax savings ranging from a few hundred dollars to more than $2,000 a year under a proposed Florida constitutional amendment headed to voters this fall.
But despite talk of eliminating property taxes, most residents would still pay taxes to fund schools and other essential services.
If approved by at least 60% of voters on Nov. 3, the amendment would expand Florida’s homestead exemption beginning in 2027 by exempting up to the first $150,000 of a primary home’s value from certain local property taxes, increasing to $250,000 in 2028 and then adjusting for inflation.
Under current law, Florida residents can exempt $50,000 in taxable value for their homesteaded property. The proposed amendment applies only to non-school taxes, so that means there will still be a bill in most cases.
But less than before.
FLORIDA PROPERTY TAX CALCULATOR: How to determine your numbers
Confused?
Many Florida residents are by the numbers – and by the calculations.
What does it all mean for the taxpayer?
Here are a few scenarios that may help explain how your property tax bill would change after the maximum $250,000 homestead exemption would apply –and why in some cases it won’t change at all.
The scenarios are based on an online tax calculator created by the administration of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis combined with real estate listings on Zillow.
An important element to factor in is when the new property tax bill reads $0, that doesn’t your bill will be $0. Rather, it only represents the portion of property taxes that doesn’t fund schools. For example, in St. Petersburg, the property tax going to schools was about $869 in 2024. That would remain.
For example, in St. Petersburg, the property tax going to schools was about $869 in 2024.
That would remain in place.
What the proposed Florida property tax changes could mean in Sarasota County
A three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in the city of Sarasota, listed for $429,000, is paying $2,813 in 2025 property taxes; then that would lower property taxes to $1,741 under the proposed homestead exemption, saving $1,072.
Estimates can be applied to Venice and North Port.
A three-bedroom, two-bathroom Venice home listed for $435,000 is paying $2,985 in property taxes in 2025, so the increased homestead exemption will lower that amount to $542, saving $2,443 in property taxes.
In North Port, a three-bed, two-bath home listed for $429,900 is paying $663 in 2025 property taxes. But under an increased homestead exemption, the homeowners would pay $416 in property taxes, saving $247 in property taxes.
What is the next step in Florida property taxes?
House Speaker Daniel Perez, a Republican from Miami, said after lawmakers approved the tax amendment earlier this month that people should have their say on the matter through their votes.
“The win here is that we trust our voters,” Perez said.
“They’re going to have the opportunity to vote this up or vote this down on the ballot in November.”
The measure also envisions complete elimination of property taxes in the coming years under a procedure that would be adopted by the state Legislature. Independent special districts would also have the ability to eliminate property taxes subject to voter approval.
DeSantis says property taxes are too high
DeSantis has repeatedly said property taxes are an unfair burden on people who own homes, like paying rent to the government.
“Property tax revenue collected by local governments has nearly doubled in the past seven years and is expected to reach an astounding $83 billion by 2032,” the governor said in announcing the plan.
“Florida homeowners need relief,” DeSantis added. “Now is the time to stand up for taxpayers, enact a historic reform, and save the home of every Floridian.”
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Florida tax proposal could cut Sarasota taxes, not to zero
Reporting by Michaela Galligan and Curt Anderson, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Michaela Galligan and Curt Anderson, Sarasota Herald-Tribune | USA TODAY Network
