Property Taxes – Pictured: Tax spelled out on desk – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Maha Heang 245789
With the exception of the section of the bill devoted to schools, a Florida state lawmaker is pushing a plan that would permit homeowners 65 and older who qualify for the homestead exemption to cease paying local property taxes.
Because those revenues are impacted, the bill, House Joint Resolution 205 (HJR 205), would also forbid counties and municipalities from reducing law enforcement funding below the present level.
“We have to have faith in our elected leaders that they need to prioritize the needs and not just the wants — that is public education, law enforcement, that is firefighters,” stated state representative Juan Carlos Porras, who is sponsoring the idea.
Seniors in Florida are experiencing financial hardship.
Both Carmen and Jose Calleiro, who are over 65, stated that the plan is too late.
“We live on a fixed income, and if everything keeps going up and up for us, we won’t be able to live,” Carmen Calleiro stated.
Jose Calleiro continued, “Fortunately, we can pay the taxes on this house now,” but the couple is concerned that the load would become too great.
The Calleiros expressed their satisfaction with the efforts being made to provide relief in Tallahassee.
“I fully support it. Carmen Calleiro stated, “I believe the older generation is very much welcoming any help from the government at this point.”
The measure’s effects on public services and local governments
Christi Fraga, the mayor of Doral, stated that her city is ready for the plan, but cautioned that because larger jurisdictions, like as Miami-Dade County, rely largely on property-tax revenue, they may be negatively impacted.
“I think the issue with the state is that they haven’t addressed the criteria in a very long time,” Fraga stated. Additionally, she proposed exempting seniors from the school tax, which she claims makes up the majority of their expense.
Rep. Porras recognized the possible difficulty.
“Here in Miami-Dade County, that’s over 60 percent goes to the county and the cities,” said Porras. “You’d have to have difficult conversations.”
The bill analysis indicates that:
All ad valorem taxes, with the exception of school-district levies, would not apply to homestead properties held by individuals 65 years of age or older.
It would be illegal for local governments to cut spending for law enforcement below the amount allocated in fiscal year 2025–2026 (or 2026–2027, whichever is larger).
– The amendment would go into effect on January 1, 2027, if voters accepted it (a 60% threshold is needed).
– In November 2026, the constitutional amendment would be put to a vote if HJR 205 is ratified by the Florida House and Senate. The exemption would take effect on January 1, 2027, if that vote is approved.
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Born and raised in South Florida, Krystal is a recent graduate from the University of Miami with professional writing experience at the collegiate and national news outlet levels. She’s a foodie who loves all things travel, the beach, & visiting new places throughout Florida.