Florida Property Tax Update: What Actually Happened in the 2026 Legislative Session

As of May 2026, Florida property taxes remain unchanged. Despite significant public attention and political momentum, neither the 2026 regular session nor the April 2026 special session produced any law eliminating or materially restructuring property taxes.

However, one of the most aggressive proposals in recent state history did move forward in part, and understanding what happened is important for homeowners, buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals.

The House Proposal That Drove the Conversation

In February 2026, the Florida House of Representatives passed a joint resolution that would have dramatically altered how property taxes are applied to homesteaded properties.

The proposal focused on eliminating the non school portion of property taxes on primary residences. This would include taxes assessed by counties, cities, and special districts, while leaving school related property taxes in place.

Because this proposal would change the Florida Constitution, it was not a law. Instead, it was structured as a constitutional amendment that would ultimately require voter approval in a statewide election.

If adopted, the proposal was expected to take effect beginning in 2027.

Why the Proposal Did Not Advance

While the House passed the measure, the Florida Senate did not take up or approve a matching version.

Senate leadership raised concerns about how local governments would replace the lost revenue, particularly for essential services such as law enforcement, fire protection, and infrastructure. There was also no clear consensus on whether alternative funding sources, such as increased sales tax or tourism based revenue, could reliably fill the gap.

As a result, the two chambers did not reach agreement before the close of the legislative session.

Legislative Session Outcome

The 2026 legislative session ended in March without a unified property tax reform bill.

• No constitutional amendment has been finalized for the ballot
• No immediate or scheduled elimination of property taxes is in effect
• No changes have been made to how property taxes are calculated or collected

For all practical purposes, property taxes in Florida continue under the existing structure.

The April Special Session: Property Tax Reform Excluded

The Legislature convened a special session from April 28 through May 1, 2026. Property tax reform was not included on the agenda. The session focused on congressional redistricting (which passed the House 83-28 and the Senate 21-17), AI consumer protections, and medical freedom policies.

Governor DeSantis has indicated that property tax reform was deliberately pulled from the April agenda to allow more time for negotiations on the proposal's structure. State leaders are now discussing a "glide path" or phased approach, with a 6-year phase-out framework being considered rather than an immediate elimination.

A dedicated special session for property tax reform could be called during the summer of 2026, with July or August cited as the most likely window. No date has been set.

What This Means for Buyers and Sellers

For real estate transactions taking place in 2026, there is no change to how property taxes are handled.

Buyers should continue to evaluate affordability based on current tax rates and assessed values. There should be no assumption that property taxes will be reduced or eliminated in the near term. If you are evaluating closing costs, you can review our guide on Florida closing costs and tax prorations.

Sellers should expect standard tax prorations at closing, with no adjustments tied to proposed legislative changes.

For those involved in closings, underwriting, or escrow, all calculations remain consistent with existing Florida law. Learn more about the process in our Florida title and closing process guide.

Context for Ongoing Discussions

The push to revisit property taxes is rooted in several recent trends:

• Rapid increases in property values across many Florida markets
• Rising annual tax bills, even for homesteaded properties
• Increased pressure from homeowners on fixed incomes

These conditions have made property tax reform a recurring topic in Tallahassee, but the complexity of replacing local government revenue has made large scale changes difficult to implement.

What to Watch Moving Forward

Although no changes were enacted during the 2026 regular session or the April special session, the issue is not closed.

• A potential summer special session dedicated to property tax reform (July or August is the most likely window)
• New proposals introduced during the 2027 session
• A revised constitutional amendment using a `glide path'' or phased approach that gains support in both chambers
• Potential ballot measures in a future election cycle if consensus is reached

Any meaningful change to Florida's property tax system will require both legislative approval and voter support.

Staying Grounded in the Current Law

There has been widespread discussion online suggesting that Florida is eliminating property taxes. As of May 2026, those claims are not accurate.

Property taxes remain in full effect, and all real estate transactions are governed by the current system.

If you are a homeowner, you may also want to review how exemptions impact your taxes in our guide to the Florida homestead exemption and Save Our Homes protections.

What To Know

The Florida House advanced a proposal that would significantly reduce property taxes on homesteaded properties, but the measure did not pass the Senate and did not become law.

As of May 2026, there are no changes to property taxes in Florida.

Any future reform will require further legislative action and voter approval before it affects homeowners or real estate transactions.