Florida voters are nearly evenly divided on whether to eliminate property taxes for homeowners, according to a new statewide survey from the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab.
The poll, conducted Oct. 15–25 among 728 likely voters, found that 49 percent support abolishing property taxes while 43 percent oppose the idea. The remaining respondents were undecided or declined to answer. Property taxes generate about $40 billion annually for local governments across the state, funding services such as public schools, law enforcement, and fire protection.
Dr. Michael Binder, faculty director of UNF’s Public Opinion Research Lab, said support levels were nearly identical between homeowners and renters.
“Interestingly, support for getting rid of property taxes are roughly the same between homeowners and renters,” Binder stated. “I guess renters understand that extra expense tends to trickle down, and with housing costs at the very top of the list of Florida problems, everyone is feeling it.”
The findings come as voters identify housing-related costs as Florida’s most pressing issue. Fourteen percent listed housing costs as their top concern, followed by property insurance at 12 percent and property taxes at 11 percent.
While the results reflect broad frustration over affordability, they also indicate uncertainty about how local governments would replace lost revenue. Property taxes are the largest single source of income for counties, municipalities, and school districts, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Local Government Finances.
The results come as House Speaker Daniel Perez announced this month a package of competing property tax proposals aimed at the 2026 ballot
Among the proposals, HJR 201 by Rep. Kevin Steele would eliminate non-school homestead property taxes altogether, while HJR 203 by Rep. Monique Miller phases them out over ten years through incremental $100,000 exemptions. HJR 205 by Rep. Juan Carlos Porras would exempt Floridians over age 65 from paying such taxes entirely.
Two others expand exemptions. HJR 207 by Rep. Shane Abbott creates a new homestead exemption for non-school taxes equal to 25 percent of a home’s assessed value, extending benefits to first-time buyers. HJR 209 by Rep. Nick Busatta establishes a $100,000 exemption for insured homeowners as property insurance relief.
HJR 211 by Rep. Toby Overdorf removes the cap on transferring Save Our Homes benefits to a new property, HJR 213 by Rep. Philip Griffitts limits growth in assessed value for non-school property taxes to 3 percent for homesteads and 15 percent for non-homestead properties over three years, and HB 215 by Rep. Jon Albert makes complementary statutory changes, requiring a two-thirds vote for any millage rate increase and permitting newly married couples to combine their Save Our Homes benefits.
