Property Tax is a Threat to the American Dream.
Floridians believe in freedom, prosperity, and keeping the government out of our pockets. But every year, homeowners are forced to “rent” their homes from the government through property taxes, regardless of whether they’ve paid off their mortgage or are on fixed income. This outdated system penalizes ownership, punishes success, and threatens the American dream.
We believe it’s time for Florida to lead the way and abolish property taxes altogether.
Florida collects approximately $22.2 billion in property taxes each year (HYPERLINK SOURCE LATER – Florida Department of Revenue, 2023). This money funds local government, schools, and public services, but it does so in a way that disproportionately harms the middle class, retirees, and those on fixed incomes.
Unlike income or sales taxes, property taxes are owed regardless of ability to pay. If your home goes up in value, your taxes rise, even if your income stays the same. Miss a few payments, and the government can take your home.
This makes property tax arguably the most oppressive form of taxation. For many seniors and working families, that isn’t just unfair. It’s devastating.
Let’s look at the numbers:
| County | Average Property Tax per Household (2023) | Median Household Income (2022) | Tax as % of Income |
| Miami-Dade | $4,093 | $64,046 | 6.4% |
| Palm Beach | $4,553 | $70,004 | 6.5% |
| Hillsborough | $3,519 | $65,416 | 5.4% |
| Orange | $3,411 | $63,122 | 5.4% |
| Duval | $2,846 | $60,370 | 4.7% |
(HYPERLINK Source: U.S. Census Bureau; Florida Department of Revenue)
These percentages don’t reflect true pain for retirees or low-income families who may own homes outright but live on just $20,000 to $30,000 per year. In those cases, the effective tax burden can exceed 15% of annual income.
Funding Local Government
The common argument is that property taxes are “necessary” to fund public schools, police, and infrastructure. But this is a lazy assumption, not a fact.
Florida already operates without a state income tax, and yet we rank:
- #1 in net migration (U.S. Census, 2023)
- #2 in new business creation (U.S. Chamber Foundation, 2023)
- Top 10 in overall economic growth (BEA, 2023)
We’ve proven that smarter taxation and budgeting works.
What if we applied that same innovation to local government?
States like Texas and Tennessee are exploring alternatives, such as shifting to consumption-based taxes (sales and use), fees-for-service, or targeted tourism revenue. Florida, with its $135 billion annual budget and booming economy, can afford to reimagine local revenue without punishing property owners.
Abolishing Property Tax Would Spur Growth and Secure Ownership
Ending property tax isn’t just about fairness. It’s about economic growth and liberty.
Retirees could remain in their homes without fear.
Young families could afford homeownership without hidden costs.
Landlords could lower rents.
Businesses would reinvest, not retreat.
And perhaps most importantly, no citizen should lose their home because they didn’t pay the government.
How do we pay for it?
Eliminating property tax doesn’t mean eliminating revenue. It means changing how we raise it.
Potential offsets include:
- Broadening the sales tax base to currently exempt services
- Modest increases in luxury taxes or tourism-based fees
- Efficiency audits of local government to reduce waste
- Optional local surcharges on high-consumption goods
In fact, if Florida increased its state sales tax by just 2%, it would raise an additional $18 to $20 billion annually, enough to cover most of current property tax collections, with room to spare.
Join Us in Ending Property Tax for Good
The time has come to end the taxation of ownership. If you believe in real property rights, if you believe a paid-off home should mean freedom, not ongoing tribute, then we invite you to join Advancing Florida.
Sign up to get involved, volunteer, or support legislation that finally puts homeowners first.