Amendment 3 Property Tax

Florida TaxWatch Recommends ‘No’ Vote on Amendment 3

Florida TaxWatch is recommending that voters reject Amendment 3, the property tax proposal appearing on Florida’s Nov. 3 general election ballot, citing concerns about its fiscal impact, potential tax shifts and the process used to place the measure before voters.

The nonprofit taxpayer research institute issued the recommendation last week as part of its 2026 voter guide examining the three constitutional amendments on the statewide ballot. Florida TaxWatch recommends “yes” votes on Amendments 1 and 2 and a “no” vote on Amendment 3.

Amendment 3 would increase the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes from $51,411 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, with inflation adjustments thereafter. It would also reduce the annual cap on assessment increases for non-homestead properties from 10 percent to 5 percent. The measure would take effect Jan. 1, 2027, if approved by at least 60 percent of voters.

Florida TaxWatch said the proposal would provide substantial tax relief to homestead property owners but warned that the reduction in taxable value could produce significant revenue losses for counties, municipalities and special districts.

The organization cited a state revenue estimate projecting local property tax collections would decline by $4.9 billion in 2027 and $8.7 billion in 2028, with the cumulative reduction reaching about $45.8 billion over five years under current millage rates.

TaxWatch also raised concerns that local governments could respond to the lower tax base by increasing millage rates, fees or other revenue sources, potentially shifting a greater share of the tax burden toward businesses, rental properties and other non-homestead property.

The group further criticized the speed with which the proposal advanced through the Legislature, arguing that a change of its scale warranted additional study and stakeholder input.

Florida TaxWatch said property tax relief is justified but contended that broader reforms should address both homestead and non-homestead taxpayers while also examining local government spending and revenue growth.

New York’s Property Tax Crackdown Is Just the Beginning

Former antiques store on Lake Avenue recently sold

Prominent Miami Beach real estate family just invested $2M in Lake Worth Beach

TWO BROTHERS FROM a prominent Miami Beach real estate family are trying to revive a shuttered building in the heart of downtown Lake Worth Beach.

Joshua and Jared Robins, third generation developers, plan to renovate an old 7,500-square-foot antiques store at 716 Lake Ave.

They, until recently had never been to Lake Worth Beach, and paid $2.025 million in late April for the 7,500-square-foot building at 716 Lake Avenue across the street from the Lake Worth Playhouse.

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Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes

How Lake Worth Beach could be impacted if voters raise the homestead exemption in November

‘It’s going to affect everything,’ a city commissioner says about millions in projected revenue losses that could lead to cuts in public services and programs.

IF VOTERS RAISE Florida’s homestead exemption in November, Lake Worth Beach homeowners can expect deep cuts not just to their tax bills but to the public services and programs they receive from the city.

The “Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes” constitutional amendment requires approval by 60% of statewide voters.

Here’s how Lake Worth Beach will be impacted if it passes, according to an analysis by Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Dorothy Jacks using 2025 property values:

Lake Worth Beach has 5,673 homesteaded properties representing nearly 44 percent of the city’s 13,067 parcels.

• If the $50,000 homestead exemption is raised to $150,000, the city would lose about about $3.5 million in property tax revenue in 2027.
• If the homestead exemption is raised to $250,000, the city would lose about $4.75 million in revenue in 2028.
• Applied to the current city budget, that’s a loss of about 18 percent and 25 percent, respectively, in the $19.3 million in property tax revenue that makes up nearly 36% of the $53.6 million general fund.
• That lost revenue could force Lake Worth Beach officials to make tough decisions about cuts their constituents may not like. The challenge comes as Lake Worth Beach property values have reached a milestone — $4.005 billion, an 8.7% increase, according to preliminary 2026 estimates released by Jacks’ office last week.

The property tax reform ballot question will be a main topic at a town hall meeting at the Casino Complex on July 25. Commissioner Anthony Segrich, who’s hosting the town hall, said he hopes residents will offer suggestions on what to cut.

Lowering the tax burden for Florida families

Democrats and their afordability buzz word

"Plenty of politicians talk a big talk on making life more affordable. Democrats particularly use the word a lot, but, charitably speaking, they don’t seem to know what it means. All Democrat policies make life more expensive.

But Florida Republicans are laser-focused on making Florida more affordable for families with very real solutions, not just talk. While inflation is down, living costs remain high across the country from Joe Biden’s crushing inflation rates.

So Florida Republicans have put on the ballot in November a Constitutional amendment that would dramatically cut property taxes for homeowners. If 60 percent of voters approve it, this will be money that stays in the pockets of millions of Floridians. This is not just a slowed increase in costs, but actual, tangible cuts.

This is what conservative leadership looks like — lowering the tax burden on homeowners, and limiting the growth of government and all of its intrusive costs.

We will now be fighting to get it passed in November against some very entrenched interests that are vested in endless gobs of taxpayer money."

Evan Power, Chair of the Florida GOP

Zohran announcement - This is what you voted for NYC

Communist New York City mayor announces plans to take properties from owners, give them to tenants!

Promises 'aggressive legal action' against owners he dislikes

New York's Democrat Socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, worked as a housing counselor, and a rapper, so he knows the topics on which he's commenting.

He announced plans to take properties from their owners and give them to tenants, but it all will be legal, of course. In fact, "aggressive" legal.

This is the same brilliant economic thinking that has made San Francisco and other leftist utopias such affordable paradises. Control prices, mandate heavily — demonize the people who actually know how to build stuff — and somehow the units will just magically appear while landlords and developers line up to lose money for the greater good," Not the Bee noted.

Read about it...

Eminent Domain (Public Use)
Under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the government can seize private property for public use (e.g., building roads, schools, or public infrastructure).

Legal Information Institute
Just Compensation: The government is required by law to pay the property owner "fair market value" for the taken land.

The Affordability Crisis

Democrats "affordability" Crisis

Mamdani ran on affordability. He told New Yorkers he would make the city work for working people.

His solution to that promise is a 9.5 percent property tax hike that will land squarely on landlords, who will pass it directly to renters, and a wealth tax scheme designed to chase out the very tax base that funds the city's services.

This is the progressive governance feedback loop in its purest form:

• Spend beyond your means.
• Blame the previous administration.
• Propose taxes that punish productivity and reward government expansion.
• Watch the tax base flee (to Florida).
• Blame the fleeing tax base for the revenue shortfall.
• Repeat.

California has run this cycle for years. Illinois knows it well. New York City, under Mamdani, appears eager to sprint through it.

Read about it...

The Florida House of Representatives approved a joint resolution on Thursday to put in motion a possible constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would completely end non-school property taxes for homesteaded properties beginning on Jan. 1, 2027.

The final vote was 80-30, with all Republicans supporting the proposal and all Democrats opposing it.

Florida TaxWatch

Florida TaxWatch Calls for Equitable (Fair & Impartial) Property Tax Relief

Florida TaxWatch is recommending that Florida lawmakers pursue property tax relief that applies more evenly across taxpayers and avoids broad elimination proposals that could shift costs onto renters, businesses and newer homeowners.

In a report released on Thursday, “Save Our Taxpayers – Property Tax Relief Must be Accomplished Equitably,” the nonprofit group said property tax levies have risen sharply in recent years, reaching $59.2 billion in fiscal year 2025-26, and that policymakers should focus on reforms that reduce disparities between homestead and non-homestead property while preserving funding for core local services.

TaxWatch’s primary recommendation is what it calls a “Save Our Taxpayers” constitutional amendment, which would replace Florida’s current 10% annual assessment cap for non-homestead properties with a cap matching the Save Our Homes limit on homestead properties. Under that approach, annual assessment increases for all properties would be capped at the lesser of 3% or inflation.

TaxWatch also recommended that any new benefit limited to homestead property be paired with a requirement that local governments temporarily adopt the “rolled-back rate,” after accounting for any newly exempted taxable value.

The group said that approach would help ensure that the intended tax savings are delivered to homeowners rather than being offset through higher millage rates, and would also limit the shifting of burdens to non-homestead properties.

I can't remember when Lake Worth Beach ever voted to adopt the rolled-back-rate.

Read more of their suggestions

Florida Property Taxes

Florida property tax reform: 2026 could be pivotal year

State leaders are pushing major cuts, but local officials warn it could impact police, fire, emergency services

However, local government officials are raising concerns about how they would maintain critical services without property tax revenue.

Lake Worth Beach Mayor Betty Resch was even more direct in her criticism.

"Do (Florida lawmakers) want us to hold bake sales to make up the lack of funds? Should we have a garage sale?" Resch said in March. "I just don't understand where they think the money is going to come from."

The tension escalated in December when Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia accused Palm Beach County of overspending by $344 million.

Palm Beach County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo disagrees.

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What about reducing your budget Lake Worth. The City raised more money because property values went up. We needed DOGE.

Current proposals in Florida to eliminate property taxes are focused specifically on homesteaded primary residences, meaning non-homesteaded properties would still be subject to these taxes.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and various House leaders have put forward several plans, all of which target tax relief for owner-occupied homes (homesteads). The general consensus among these proposals is that properties such as rental units, vacation homes, and commercial real estate would continue to pay property taxes, and may even face higher rates to compensate for the lost revenue from homesteads.

Cutting Homsteaded property taxes could cripple local governments

Florida property tax relief could hurt city services, study says

Eliminating or significantly reducing Florida property taxes could “fundamentally destabilize local finance” for municipalities that rely on the revenue, according to a new study released as tax relief legislation moves forward.

The study, conducted by Wichita State University and released by the Florida League of Cities, a group that lobbies for the state’s municipalities, found that cutting homestead property taxes would likely result in less funding for police and fire departments, public works services and parks unless other revenue sources are found.

Property taxes make up approximately 43% of municipal general fund revenue and are the only stable, locally controlled revenue sources for Florida cities, the study said.

Fully eliminating homestead property taxes would mean a nearly 38% loss in ad valorem revenue and a 14% drop in general fund revenue, according to the study.

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DeSantis on cutting property taxes

Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks Wednesday at the Kravis Center’s Cohen Pavilion

"Gov. Ron DeSantis explained how he decided to slash local property taxes while tackling other hot-button topics in hourlong remarks Wednesday at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach.

Why it matters: The governor made his remarks a day before a House committee released eight tax-cutting proposals, all taking aim at local property taxes, which generate $55 billion a year.

Zoom in: The governor, who is term-limited next year, honed in on relief for homesteaded properties, saying cities and counties can still collect full taxes on rental units, seasonal homes and commercial properties.

What he’s saying: “So people say, ‘Well, where are you going to get the money?’ Well, how come nobody asks, ‘Why can't government spend less money?’”

Yes, but: While he said about 70% of property taxes come from non-homesteaded properties, in Palm Beach County, non-homesteaded properties account for 59% of the tax base."

— Joel Engelhardt, Stet News

Florida's Strategy to cut Property Taxes

Florida unveils strategy to slash property taxes statewide. Could it work?

Potentially wasteful spending could prove need for tax cuts, CFO said

What we have seen over the last five years, post-COVID, is that local governments have taken their budgets and expanded them greatly,” Ingoglia stated.

According to the CFO, the general fund budgets for these local governments, which are funded by property taxes, have gone up on average between 60% - 120%.

Furthermore, he argued that during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these governments used federal funds to greatly expand their scope and — in some cases — grant “egregious raises” to employees.

And then, thanks to the flood of new residents coming into the state, these governments were able to accrue even more tax revenue, which allowed them to keep up their spending, Blaise claimed.

“When you go back pre-COVID, and you start factoring in inflation and population growth, those budgets should not have exploded anywhere near where they’re exploding right now,” he added.

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Texas just showed the rest of America how to fight back

Texas Bans China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea from Buying State Property

Ever wonder who owns the land next door? It might not be who you think. Foreign countries have been gobbling up American soil for years. They buy farmland, homes, and even property near our military bases.

This isn’t just about foreign investment. It’s about national security. When countries that hate America own land in our backyard, they can spy, steal secrets, and set up shop right under our noses. Many states have noticed this problem but haven’t done much about it.

Governor Greg Abbott signed a powerful new law banning China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea from buying land or property in the state.

The new law, SB17, which takes effect September 1, covers everything from farms and water rights to homes and businesses. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton can now investigate violations as felonies, putting real teeth behind the ban.

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Lake Worth Beach: Millage and Debt rate

Property Millage rate

Pursuant to §200.065(2)(b), Florida Statutes, the City must advise the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser of the proposed Operating Millage Rate, as well as the date of the City’s first public hearing on the tentative Operating Millage Rate and budget (which is scheduled for September 11, 2025).

The proposed Operating Millage Rate approved by this Resolution establishes the maximum millage rate the City may consider and approve during the public hearings in September. The proposed Operating Millage Rate may be lowered by the Commission at the hearings, but it cannot be raised without additional notice being provided to each taxpayer at a cost of approximately $20,000 for postage.

Based on information from the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office, the FY 2025 Operating Roll Back Millage is 5.1183. This Operating Roll-Back Millage is the millage rate that will generate the same property tax revenue that was generated in FY 2025.

With the inclusion of the County Fire MSTU millage 3.4581, the maximum available Operating Millage cannot exceed 8.9526 mills. This year continues a trend with an increase in the taxable value of real and personal property of approximately 7.4%.

The City is ignoring the roll-back millage and the rate they will adopt will result in an increase in the actual tax revenues collected and will be 5.4945 mills plus MSTU of 3.4581.

The City is required to hold two (2) public hearings for adoption of a property tax rate and budget. The first public hearing is advertised by the Property Appraiser mailing to each property owner on a TRIM notice.

The Voter Approved Debt Rate may be lowered by the Commission at the hearings, but it cannot be raised without additional notice being provided to each taxpayer at a cost of approximately $20,000 for postage. Due to sufficient fund balance available to cover the future FY 2026 debt services, the Voter Approved Debt Rate is being decreased to 0.40 mills in FY 2026 from 0.92 mills in FY2025

Eliminating property taxes in poor Florida counties

DeSantis offers plan to eliminate property taxes for poor, rural counties

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants the state to take over some funding of government services for rural, thinly-populated fiscally constrained counties and allow them to eliminate their property taxes.

DeSantis made the statement at an economic development announcement in Crawfordville on Monday.

His estimate of how much this would cost Florida taxpayers would be about $300 million per year, a drop in the bucket of the nearly $50 billion in general fund spending that is part of a tentative budget deal by lawmakers.

The state’s fiscally distressed counties, as listed by the Florida Secretary of State’s Office includes: Baker, Bradford, Calhoun, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Nassau, Okeechobee, Putnam, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Wakulla, Washington and Walton counties.

So, for the moment Mayor Resch, you can relax but it’s part of DeSantis’ ultimate goal to get all homesteaded property owners in Florida a one-time rebate and later permanent relief on their property taxes, which have been increasing due to annual assessments. Property taxes are levied at $1 per $1,000 of assessed value, known as a mill.

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Florida property tax reform: GOP leaders seek new legislation

Florida property tax reform: Lawmakers seek deal without governor

A House committee comprised of 37 lawmakers is considering various ideas like a $500,000 homestead exemption, protections against foreclosure for unpaid taxes and tax relief for seniors.

The committee invited the governor to present his ideas, but he declined, calling it unnecessary.

Instead, the governor has proposed a $5 billion rebate program, offering $1,000 per property. House Speaker Danny Perez, R-Miami, rejected the plan, arguing it doesn't address the root issue of high tax rates. 

"The only option that I have ruled out is simply mailing $1,000 checks from the state treasury," Perez said. "These checks do not actually lower tax rates. These checks do not solve the property tax problem." (I agree.)

The committee plans to reconvene during upcoming budget talks and will later hold a statewide listening tour.

WPTV has spoken with experts, taxpayers and local mayors on the proposal.

"Do (Florida lawmakers) want us to hold bake sales to make up the lack of funds? Should we have a garage sale?" Lake Worth Beach Mayor Betty Resch said in March. "I just don't understand where they think the money is going to come from."

Read more...

Florida Property Taxes Update

Speaker Danny Perez Admits Defeat, Finally Yields on Property Taxes

Florida House Speaker Danny Perez has finally caved to mounting public pressure and agreed to take a hard look at lowering property taxes.

The same Danny Perez who once dismissed Governor DeSantis’s idea as “impractical” has lost the battle and is now letting the Select Committee on Property Taxes have free rein to explore far-reaching proposals that could overhaul the entire structure.

Property taxes effectively require homeowners to pay rent to the government. Constitutional protections for Florida homeowners require approval of the voters in 2026. In the meantime, Floridians need relief. I am today proposing a plan that will result in—on average—$1,000 rebate… pic.twitter.com/X3dg3ar25S
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 31, 2025

Read the Proposal

Florida Senate meets on Property Tax reform

Senate tax bill calls for study on property tax cuts and local impact

The Florida Senate on Monday unveiled a broad tax package that includes a proposal to study the feasibility of reducing or eliminating property taxes on homestead properties.

Senate Proposed Bill 7034 directs the Office of Economic and Demographic Research to assess the fiscal impact of major property tax reforms, with a report due to lawmakers by November 1, 2025.

The study must examine how potential reductions in ad valorem taxes could affect local governments and schools, and offer policy options—including statutory and constitutional changes—to mitigate revenue loss.

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China buying up strategic land in the U.S.

Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Robert S. Spalding III

Report: China Owns Farmland Next to 19 Military Bases

China owns farmland near 19 U.S. military bases across the country, according to the New York Post, raising fears of espionage and sabotage by communist agents.

The bases adjacent to Chinese-owned land include some of the most strategically important installations, including Fort Liberty in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Fort Cavazos in Killeen, Texas, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in San Diego, California, and MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.

"It is concerning due to the proximity to strategic locations," retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Robert S. Spalding III told the Post. His work focuses on U.S.-China relations.

"These locations can be used to set up intelligence collection sites and the owners can be influential in local politics as we have seen in the past," he said. "It is alarming we do not have laws on the books that would prevent the Chinese from buying property in the U.S."

Read Newsmax

I don't blame China. I do blame our lax laws in this country and those property owners selling to China for the almighty buck.

FBI Releases its seized list from Mar-A-Lago

US Government Seized Over 11,000 Non-Classified Documents From Trump’s Home

FBI agents seized over 11,000 documents and photographs without classified markings from the home of former President Donald Trump, according to an inventory released on Sept. 2.

Agents during the Aug. 8 raid at Mar-A-Lago seized 11,179 materials that were not marked classified, the inventory says.

A property receipt, or inventory list, was given to a Trump lawyer as agents left, but the more detailed inventory list was submitted to a federal court on Friday on the orders of a judge.

The more detailed receipt also shows that the government seized 1,673 magazines/newspapers/press articles and other printed media, some dating back to 2008; 48 empty folders with classified banners; 42 empty folders labeled “return to staff secretary/military aide”; 19 articles of clothing/gift items; and 33 books.

Read more about the "Get Trump" Raid

Inventory Property List