Could Abolishing Property Taxes Become a Reality?

If you’re a homeowner, you probably know the feeling: even after you’ve paid off your mortgage—or gotten close—you’re still writing that check every year.

Property taxes don’t go away. In fact, in many places, they keep climbing. It’s no wonder more and more people are asking: Shouldn’t I be able to actually own my home?

That’s at the heart of a growing movement to rethink—and in some places, even eliminate—property taxes entirely.

Why property taxes hit so hard

For many folks, especially retirees or those on a fixed income, property taxes can feel like rent you never stop paying. Even if your house is modest, if it sits in a “hot” zip code or a district with rising values, your tax bill can balloon seemingly overnight.

And unlike income or sales taxes, property taxes don’t reflect what you earn or spend—they’re based on what someone else thinks your home is worth. That disconnect can feel frustrating, if not unfair.

Florida’s big question

That frustration is playing out in real time in Florida, where lawmakers are looking into what it would take to reduce or eliminate property taxes altogether.

Governor Ron DeSantis is backing a 2026 ballot measure to abolish or reduce property taxes, while state Senator Jonathan Martin has called for a study on full elimination by fall. Meanwhile, Rep. Ryan Chamberlin has introduced two bills aimed at cutting taxes in the short term.

So why Florida? The state has seen a massive influx of new residents in recent years, sending home prices—and property tax bills—soaring. For many long-time homeowners, especially retirees, rising costs are straining budgets and fueling demands for bold change.

Could it actually work?

It’s possible in theory—but complicated in practice. In most places, property taxes are a huge part of what funds schools, emergency services, and local governments.

For example, in Florida, they make up over half of public school funding. To make up that loss, you’d need a big bump in something else—most likely the sales tax, which some worry would hit lower-income households the hardest.

That’s why even in places where people are angry about rising property taxes, actually abolishing them isn’t an easy sell. Last year, voters in North Dakota rejected a proposal to eliminate them, worried about what might happen to schools and roads without that money.

What you can do right now

Even if eliminating property taxes outright feels like a long shot, there are a few steps you can take today to reduce your own burden:

• Apply for Homestead Exemptions: Most states offer some kind of property tax exemption if the home is your primary residence.

• Challenge Your Assessment: If you think your property has been overvalued, you can appeal. Many homeowners don’t realize how often assessments are inflated.

• Look into Senior, Veteran, or Disability Exemptions: If you qualify, these can shave thousands off your tax bill.

• Consider Relocating: While a big step, some homeowners in high-tax states have downsized or moved to places with lower tax burdens and more predictable costs.

So… is the end of property taxes possible?

It’s too soon to say—but the fact that it’s being discussed seriously in Florida and other states shows how much the conversation is shifting.

For now, it’s probably not realistic to expect property taxes to disappear nationwide. But what we can hope for is a smarter, fairer system—and a little more breathing room for people just trying to hold onto the homes they worked hard for.

In the meantime, keep a close eye on Florida. If they find a way to make it work, your state just might be next.