No more property taxes? I like it!
 

Ron DeSantis just announced he's in favor of a Florida Constitutional Amendment, to abolish Real Estate Taxes.

Perhaps you read an article saying "Lower" not abolish. And even that only lower for some people.

The state really does not control real estate taxes There is a law that limits the assessed value of homestead property to 3 % or the CPI whichever is less. But the local government determines the tax rate based upon anticipated budget requirements . The total Local government requirement is extremely likely to increase each year. Your actual rate can actually decrease if you are in a growing area, but is not going to be abolished.

Hopefully readers don't get themselves into a frenzy due this thread.

"But in this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."—Benjamin Franklin

No, I read exactly what DeSantis said on X last night:

"Property taxes are local, not state. So we'd need to do a constitutional amendment (requires 60% of voters to approve) to eliminate them (which I would support) or even to reform/lower them...
We should put the boldest amendment on the ballot that has a chance of getting that 60%...
I agree that taxing land/property is the more oppressive and ineffective form of taxation..."

Local Government does not determine the Tax Rate, based on anticipated Budget requirements. Tax Rate is derived from the actual Budget.

Whether your "tax rate" goes up or down, has nothing to do with a "growing area" or non-growing area. A tax rate is nothing more than an apportionment factor. It is not really "set", but rather derived from an actual budget, divided by the total assessed value.

There are many taking advantage of exemptions in the state, (including many in The Villages) they end up paying little or no real estates. "Disabled" veteran is an example of one. I hope the veteran has to provide an official letter from the VA proving this. But I don't know what is required. Also, there are others who claim Florida homestead who actually have homestead in other states. DeSantis does not have a clue about what is he talking about. If you eliminate or reduce property tax, then they would need to increase other revenue or taxes to make up the difference.

Yes, a disabled veteran has to provide proof from the VA stating that he/she is disabled. Do you really think that the county is just going to accept a person's word, without proof, that they are disabled?

I see that now on X but that is not the statement he has been making. Personally, I would put more weight in what he said in his prepared press conferences in Miami and Destin. An off the cuff comment on X to cheer on a supporter doesn't seem to be as official, at least to me.

You might want to explain your take on tax rates to the Sumter County Administrator and Commissioners as both have pointed to growth as the reason the millage rate is low. From the FY24-25 Budget Letter: "10-year growth in total property tax revenues – 5th position at 110.4% (indicator of growth driving the lower millage rate)."(emphasis added)

Well that would make perfect sense, wouldn't it?

The moneys gotta come from somewhere, if someone gets a break then someone else is going to have to make up the difference.

More than likely, property taxes would be eliminated if you have the homestead exemption. If you rent your house, you won’t be exempt, commercial properties wont be exempt.

If you want to change the economics of residential landlords in the villages, this will do it. Their property taxes will go up.
Commercial property taxes will also go up, but relatively less - so, yes we will pay more for a burger or a beer. But probably not more than the savings of not paying taxes.

maybe, but the cities have a higher proportion of commercial vs residential, so how will the inequity of commercial vs residential between municipalities be reconciled?

What’s catch? They’re always a catch…… :thumbup:

That would screw over part time residents who don’t rent their home. But since part timers typically don’t vote, they aren’t given the same benefits as full timers even though they are both residential homeowners.

More than likely property taxes lower to elect the next governor and keep the legislators in office that are already there. The other “catch” you still have a bond to pay and maintenance fee in The Villages. Of course there is also your amenities fee. As long as Florida keeps growing you can make it all work to a certain extent.

Bond, Maintenance Fees and Amenity fees have nothing to do with property taxes.

It would screw over part timers.

It would also make the economic case to establish FLA residency (to get the homestead) sooner rather than later.