Property taxes have long been a cornerstone of local government funding, underwriting essential services such as schools, infrastructure, public safety, and emergency response. But as property values soar and housing affordability declines—both in terms of purchasing a home and the ongoing costs of ownership—a growing number of critics contend that the tax is outdated, unfair, and economically counterproductive.

The state of Florida’s recent exploration into eliminating homestead property taxes has started a movement to reassess the fairness of property taxes and their constitutionality. The rallying cry of paying “Forever Rent” refers to the stark reality that homeowners never truly own their homes, if a governing body can seize your property for unpaid taxes, or place liens for other violations.

Another important aspect of property tax reform is holding local municipalities accountable for how much and how fairly they tax citizens, as well as how they manage these funds. A common homeowner sentiment is property taxes are used as a “blank check” to prop up poorly managed city budgets, leaving them with little recourse to challenge or resist these financial burdens.

The most recent data on local property taxes show that property taxes accounted for 70.2% of local tax collections in fiscal year 2022, according to the Tax Foundation. When combining total state and local tax collections in this same year, property taxes comprised 27.4% of total tax collections. When cities face budget shortfalls—sometimes due to mismanagement, bloated pensions, or unexpected costs—raising property taxes can be an easy go-to, as they are a stable revenue stream less subject to economic swings than sales or income taxes.

Is it time for America to reconsider—or even abolish—property taxes altogether? This article explores key issues and potential alternatives to a system that many believe is due for a radical overhaul. The primary goal of this article is to inform homeowners on the underlying issues at play, so they can constructively participate in this critical debate occurring across the nation.

A Homeowner Guide’s to the Property Tax Debate

Also see:

 

What are Property Taxes?

Property taxes are the main source of revenue for most local governments in the U.S. that homeowners are required to pay annually as a percentage of their home’s assessed value. This form of local, city or county revenue is typically used to fund schools, police and fire departments, road construction and repairs, libraries, water and sewer departments, and other local services that benefit the entire community.

Key aspects of property taxes to understand, especially for first-time homebuyers, include:

  • Property Taxes Vary by Location: Tax rates differ significantly by state, county, and city, that will impact your total homeownership costs. Check local rates and exemptions (like homestead exemptions) before buying.
  • Assessed Value Drives Taxes: Your tax bill is based on the home’s assessed value multiplied by the local tax rate. Rising property values or reassessments can increase taxes over time.
  • Budget for Potential Increases: Tax rates or assessments can rise due to municipal needs (e.g. school funding) or market changes, so plan for possible yearly increases.
  • Municipal Power Over Unpaid Taxes: If a homeowner owes back property taxes, the local municipality can impose a tax lien, which prioritizes their claim over other debts. They may charge penalties and interest, and if unpaid, can initiate a tax sale or foreclosure, seizing and selling the home to recover the owed amount. Some areas offer payment plans or hardship exemptions, but persistent non-payment will risk loss of the property.

 

The History of Property Taxes

Modern U.S. property taxes trace back to England’s feudal system under William the Conqueror in 1066, where kings granted land to loyalists in exchange for payments or services, with nonpayment risking forfeiture. The Founding Fathers retained this remnant of the Old World despite their anti-feudal rhetoric, simply because it generated essential revenue.

This “king’s role” was assumed by the new federal government, embedding the tax deeply into American land law.

The federal government’s use of direct property taxes was brief and sporadic, largely confined to specific periods of fiscal need, while local and state governments became the primary collectors of property taxes due to their consistent need for revenue to fund local services. Eventually the federal government fully retreated from the business of property taxes, as it was politically unpopular and proved to be administratively infeasible.

Local governments, however, honed their systems, with innovations like cadastral surveys and tax maps by the 1850s, making them far more effective at sustaining property tax programs. By the mid-19th century, property taxes were exclusively a state and local function, a structure that persists today.

 

How are Property Taxes Calculated?

In the United States, residential property taxes of primary residences are primarily based on the assessed value of a property and the local tax rate.

Key Variables and Equations for Calculating Property Taxes

 

Assessed Value (AV)

This is the value of your property as determined by the local tax assessor’s office. It’s often based on the market value (what the property could sell for) but may be adjusted downward by state or local rules.

Some areas use a percentage of the market value (e.g. 80% or 100%), called the assessment ratio.

Assessed Value Example:

If your home’s market value is $300,000 and the assessment ratio is 80%, the assessed value is $300,000 × 0.8 = $240,000.

 

Tax Rate (Mill Rate or Property Tax Rate)

The tax rate is set by local governments (e.g. city, county, school districts) and is usually expressed as a mill rate (dollars per $1,000 of assessed value) or a percentage.

Tax Rate Example:

A mill rate of 20 means $20 in tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. If the rate is 2%, it’s 0.02 times the assessed value.

 

Basic Equation for Property Taxes

Property Tax = Assessed Value × Tax Rate

Property Tax Calculation Example:

If your home’s assessed value is $240,000 and the tax rate is 2% (or 20 mills), the resultant property tax is: $240,000 × 0.02 = $4,800 per year. Using a mills calculation the property tax would be: ($240,000 ÷ 1,000) × 20 = 240 × 20 = $4,800.

 

Exemptions and Deductions (if applicable)

Many areas offer exemptions, like homestead exemptions, which reduce the assessed value for primary residences.

Property Tax Exemption Example:

Using the example of the same property mentioned above, a $50,000 homestead exemption on a $240,000 assessed value lowers the taxable value to $190,000. Then, $190,000 × 0.02 = $3,800 in taxes.

 

Special Assessments or Fees

Some localities add fees for specific services (e.g., sewer, trash, or school bonds), which are added to the base property tax.

 

What Can Cause Property Taxes to Surge Year to Year?

Property taxes can increase significantly due to changes in the following variables or municipal actions:

The costs of homeownership budget pie, property taxes

 

Increase in Assessed Value

  • Rising Property Values: If the local housing market booms, your home’s market value (and thus assessed value) may increase. For example, if your home’s market value jumps from $300,000 to $350,000 and the assessment ratio is 80%, the assessed value rises from $240,000 to $280,000, increasing taxes (at 2%) from $4,800 to $5,600.
  • Reassessments: Some areas reassess properties periodically (e.g. every 3–5 years). A reassessment reflecting higher market values can cause a spike. A few notable examples of U.S. municipalities known for frequent reassessments include: New York City; Cook County (including Chicago), Illinois; Philadelphia; and Harris County (including Houston), Texas.
  • Home Improvements: Adding a room, renovating, or building a pool can increase your home’s assessed value, leading to higher taxes.

 

Increase in Tax Rate

  • Municipal Budget Needs: Local governments may raise the tax rate to fund schools, infrastructure, or services. For example, if the tax rate increases from 2% to 2.5%, taxes on a $240,000 assessed value rise from $4,800 to $6,000, an increase of 25%.
  • Voter-Approved Measures: New bonds or levies (e.g., for schools or parks) can increase the effective tax rate. For instance, a new school bond might add $200 annually to your tax bill.

 

Loss of Exemptions

If you no longer qualify for a homestead exemption (e.g. you rent out your primary residence), the taxable value increases. For example, losing a $50,000 exemption on a $240,000 assessed value raises the taxable amount to $240,000, increasing your taxes by 26% from $3,800 to $4,800 at a 2% rate.

 

Special Assessments

New local projects (e.g. road improvements or utility upgrades) can add special assessments to your bill, sometimes hundreds of dollars more per year.

 

Changes in State or Local Tax Laws

Some states have caps on annual tax increases (e.g. California’s Proposition 13, enacted in 1978, limits assessed value increases to 2% per year, unless the property is sold). If these caps are lifted or modified, property taxes can surge.

Example: If a state removes a tax cap, a property’s assessed value might jump from a capped $200,000 to a market-based $300,000, significantly increasing taxes.

 

An Example Scenario of a Property Tax Surge

Suppose your home’s assessed value is $250,000, with a tax rate of 2%, and you have a $25,000 homestead exemption. Your property taxes are calculated as: ($250,000 – $25,000) × 0.02 = $4,500.

The next year brings about the following situation:

  • The housing market booms, increasing the assessed value to $300,000.
  • The local government raises the tax rate to 2.3% to fund a new school.

The new property taxes are calculated as: ($300,000 – $25,000) × 0.023 = $6,325.

This scenario represents a $1,825 (40%) increase in property taxes, driven by a higher assessed value and tax rate occurring in the same tax year.

 

The Risks of Rising Property Taxes

As the cost of homeownership continues to rise from multiple fronts—repairs on aging inventory; insurance; renovations as an alternative to moving; escalating HOA fees and fines; mounting utility bills; and rising property taxes—delinquencies on property taxes could increase in tandem, threatening long-term homeownership. Unlike other costly home necessities, property taxes cannot be pushed off indefinitely. In short, ever-increasing property tax increases represent a significant percentage of household income.

Cotality: States with the Highest Property Tax Delinquency Rates: Years 2012-2023. Image courtesy of Cotality

Cotality: States with the Highest Property Tax Delinquency Rates: Years 2012-2023.
Image courtesy of Cotality

According to Cotality’s 2025 Property Tax Delinquency Report, property taxes have risen 27% from 2019 to 2024 across the US. Certain states have been disproportionately impacted. For instance, Colorado, Georgia, and Florida have seen their median property taxes rise 52.9%, 51.5%, and 47.5% respectively over that five-year period. For Vermont, Illinois, and New Jersey, whose average annual property taxes are $9,120, $9,006, and $8,598, respectively, these amounts equate to 11.2%, 11.2%, and 8.6% of their corresponding median household incomes.

Cotality latest report also shared the following findings:

  • The average national property tax delinquency rate over the 2012–2025 YTD period was 5.5%.
  • YTD 2025 the rate is rising 5.1%, up from 4.5% in 2024, but is still sitting below the long-term average of 5.5%. For context, the peak in 2012 was 8.2%.
  • States with higher unemployment tend to have higher average property tax delinquency rates than states with lower unemployment.
  • Tax Lien states have a higher average property tax delinquency 6.2% than Tax Deed states 4.9%.

 

Key Topics for Homeowners

The following topics are especially important for homeowners to understand, as they address key concerns from their perspective, and not that of politicians, lobbyists and organizations that benefit from ever-increasing tax collection.

Contemporary Victorian Style Home with American Flag

 

Homeowner Protections

Regardless of how property tax reform progresses, there are already existing protections for homeowners in many jurisdictions across the country. Homeowner protection programs aim to limit property tax burdens, such as shielding residents from rapid tax increases due to rising property values. These programs vary by state and locality, but typically offer one or more of the following types of protection:

  • Caps on Assessment Increases
  • Exemptions
  • Tax Relief for Specific Groups (e.g. seniors, veterans, or low-income homeowners)
  • Assessment Appeals

Below are brief overviews of a few well-known property tax protection programs:

  • California Proposition 13 (1978): This landmark law caps property tax rates at 1% of a property’s assessed value (at the time of purchase) and limits annual assessment increases to 2% or the inflation rate, whichever is lower. Properties are only reassessed at market value upon sale. While Prop 13 protects homeowners from sharp tax hikes due to rising property values, critics have called out the tax disparities between long-term and new homeowners.
  • Florida Homestead Exemption: Florida’s program reduces the taxable value of a primary residence by up to $50,000 ($25,000 for all property taxes and an additional $25,000 for non-school taxes). It also caps annual assessment increases at 3% or the inflation rate (whichever is lower) under the “Save Our Homes” amendment. This shields homeowners from tax spikes in high-growth areas.
  • Texas Property Tax Exemption: Texas offers a homestead exemption that reduces a home’s taxable value by a fixed amount (e.g. $40,000 for school district taxes) and caps annual appraisal increases at 10% for homestead properties. This helps limit tax increases in rapidly appreciating markets like Austin and Dallas.
  • New York STAR Program (School Tax Relief): This program provides partial exemptions or rebates on school property taxes for homeowners. The Basic STAR applies to homeowners with incomes under $250,000, while Enhanced STAR offers greater relief for seniors (65+) with incomes below a certain threshold (e.g. $93,200 in 2025). It mitigates high school tax burdens in a state with some of the highest property taxes.

These programs balance homeowner protection with local government revenue needs, though they can create inequities (e.g. favoring long-term residents in the case of California’s Prop 13) and potentially strain public budgets. Other states, like Michigan (Proposal A) and Illinois (Homestead Exemption), have similar measures, often tailored to local tax structures.

 

Fiscal Responsibility of Local Governments (Stop Reckless Spending!)

Fiscal responsibility and accountability of local governing bodies are critical elements of the property tax debate. Opponents of property tax reform often simplistically label reformists and abolitionists as either not wanting any critical local services (e.g. schools, police, fire, roadways), or refusing to pay for any local services they may use on a daily basis.

A key element of the national property tax debate is that local and state governments should not be allowed to raise taxes without any transparency and accountability on how these funds are spent. Homeowners need to play an active role in uncovering how budgets are spent, how certain programs are funded, and what is irresponsibly wasted. During these debates, financial details are imperative, preferably conducted by qualified, impartial 3rd parties.

Florida’s CFO, Blaise Ingoglia—also head of Florida DOGE (AKA FAFO: Florida Agency for Fiscal Oversight)—is leading the charge of exposing this critical issue that connects fiscal responsibility with property tax reform.

Here are a few eye-opening announcements recently made by Ingoglia:

  • Over $84 Million in Alachua County Budget Deemed as “Excessive, Wasteful Spending” (9/26/2025)
  • Over $278 Million in Hillsborough County Budget Deemed as “Excessive, Wasteful Spending” (9/24/2025)
  • $200 Million in City of Jacksonville Budget Deemed as “Excessive, Wasteful Spending” (9/17/2025)
  • Nearly $200 Million in Orange County Budget Deemed as “Excessive, Wasteful Spending”

Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis posted this comment on X referencing the recent findings of the Florida DOGE office:

When someone tells you we can’t do anything about property taxes, point them to these findings (and much more is on the way).

Ingoglia posted the following comment on X, as well:

YOU are paying for this waste through outrageous property taxes.

 

Government Transparency

Government transparency is a critical issue in the debate on property tax reform because it ensures accountability and builds public trust in how tax dollars—particularly property taxes, a major revenue source for local governments—are allocated and spent.

Chicago City Hall Sign

Detailed public disclosures, audits, and online portals allow taxpayers to track spending, advocate for priorities, and hold officials accountable, ultimately promoting equitable tax policies that align with community needs.

Residents can use these metrics to assess financial management of their local governments:

  • Check Transparency: Access city budgets, CAFRs (Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports), or dashboards for data on debt, reserves, and spending.
  • Compare Locally: Benchmark against similar nearby cities
  • Evaluate Impact: High debt or low reserves may foreshadow tax hikes or service cuts, while strong infrastructure spending improves quality of life.
  • Engage Locally: Attend budget hearings or review council reports to question high tax burdens or low pension ratios.

A well-managed city balances low debt, adequate reserves, and efficient services while keeping taxes affordable. Check city websites or platforms like OpenGov for real-time data.

 

An Inherent Conflict of Interest

An inherent conflict of interest exists pertaining to property tax assessments because the local assessor—the person responsible for determining property values—is employed by the local government, and valuations directly influence tax revenue and city budgets.

Property tax department of a local government

This relationship creates a bias for the government to maintain or increase tax revenues over time. Since the assessor works for the government, there is potential pressure—implicit or explicit—to inflate property valuations to sustain or boost revenue, rather than ensuring impartial, accurate assessments. This can lead to higher tax burdens for property owners, especially if assessments don’t reflect true market conditions or are inconsistently applied. The conflict lies in the assessor’s dual role: serving the public by providing fair valuations while working for an entity incentivized to maximize tax revenue.

Also see:

 

Unfair Nature of Regressive Taxes

Property taxes are typically considered regressive because they are based on property value rather than income or ability to pay. This means lower-income homeowners (e.g. elderly retirees) may pay a higher proportion of their income toward property taxes compared to wealthier individuals, placing a heavier burden on those with limited financial resources.

Unlike progressive taxes (e.g. income taxes), property taxes don’t scale with income, so they can disproportionately affect fixed- or low-income households, especially in areas with rapidly rising property values.

How Homeowners Can Be Taxed Out of Their Homes

In regions with escalating property valuations, taxes can increase significantly, outpacing homeowners’ ability to pay. Without protective measures like assessment caps, taxes may rise faster than income, forcing homeowners to sell or face foreclosure.

Most Vulnerable Homeowners

Certain groups are particularly at risk of being unable to pay rising property taxes:

  • Seniors on Fixed Incomes: Retirees relying on pensions or Social Security often lack the income flexibility to absorb tax increases, especially in high-growth areas.
  • Low-Income Homeowners: Those with modest earnings may struggle to pay taxes that rise with property values, particularly in gentrifying urban areas.
  • Long-Term Residents in Gentrifying Areas: Homeowners who bought homes decades ago at low prices may face unaffordable tax bills as neighborhood values soar, even if their income hasn’t increased.
  • Veterans or Disabled Homeowners: While some states offer exemptions, those without access to such programs may struggle if their income is limited.

 

Taxation on Unrealized Gains

One issue that many homeowners have with property taxes is that they are made on “unrealized gains”. Put another way, homeowner taxes are levied based on assessed market value, not actual income or realized gains, or money you earned from the property. The “assessed market value” is, in actuality, increases in property value that haven’t resulted in actual income or cash flow to the owner.

For comparison purposes, the concept of unrealized gains works differently in the stock market, where taxes are NOT paid on rising stock values UNTIL after a sale is made. You may be wealthy on “paper”, but your wealth is not tangible until you sell your partial ownership in a given company.

The increase in property taxes due to higher assessed values are largely “theoretical”, as higher valuations often have no correlation to an increase usage of local services, e.g.: number of children enrolled in local schools; water usage; electricity usage; waster removal; vehicle mileage; emergency response calls; borrowed books from the local library; visits to local parks; tenants; etc.

 

Policy Issues of the Property Tax Debate

The debate over property taxes pits taxpayer relief against public service sustainability, with ideological undertones of property rights versus government efficiency. Below are the primary issues, drawn from legislative hearings, expert analyses, and public discourse.

Aerial view of crossroads intersection in an Austin neighborhood

 

Revenue Replacement and Fiscal Impact

Property taxes fund ~70% of local revenues nationwide ($600B+ annually), covering schools (often 50%+ of budgets), police, fire, and infrastructure. Abolishing them in Florida alone would eliminate $43B to $60B in tax revenue, forcing either massive state aid, sales tax hikes (potentially doubling rates to 14%), or deep budgetary cuts. In Nebraska’s EPIC plan, a 21.6% consumption tax is projected, which opponents state could stifle growth. Critics argue this shifts burdens regressively to low-income renters and consumers, while proponents like DeSantis emphasize waste reduction (e.g. Florida’s $670M+ in county bloat via FAFO audits).

 

Impact on Homeownership and Affordability

Rising taxes exacerbate the housing crisis, forcing sales or foreclosures—especially for fixed-income seniors and middle-class families. DeSantis frames abolishment as favoring “traditional homeownership” over investors, potentially stabilizing prices. However, experts warn reforms like assessment limits (capping increases for long-term owners) distort markets by burdening new buyers disproportionately, reducing supply and worsening affordability.

 

Local vs. State Control and Service Delivery

Elimination of property taxes can erode local autonomy, making local governments reliant on state funds and vulnerable to non-local control. Proponents counter that audits expose corruption (e.g. Florida’s $279M Hillsborough waste), justifying centralized oversight. Broader fears include service breakdowns, e.g. police/fire underfunding or school closures.

 

Economic and Political Ramifications

Advocates promise growth by attracting residents (e.g. to no-property-tax, no-income-tax Florida), but some analyses show high replacement taxes could deter investment. Grassroots reform campaigns amplify urgency, with calls for federal involvement, though experts like the Tax Foundation urge targeted reforms like protective circuit breakers over “wholesale elimination.”

 

Broader Implications

While politically potent, full abolishment remains elusive due to fiscal math—most states opt for incremental relief like homestead rebates ($1,000 in Florida for 2025-26) or inflation-tied exemptions. Success in Florida’s 2026 vote could cascade nationally, but failure (as in North Dakota) underscores challenges. Ultimately, the debate reflects deeper tensions: balancing property rights with communal needs in an era of ballooning costs.

 

Arguments for Abolishing Property Tax

Abolishing property tax is a complex and highly debated issue, with strong arguments for and against. On one hand, property taxes provide a critical revenue source for local governments, funding schools, public safety, and infrastructure. On the other, they symbolize a powerful, unrelenting weapon of local government that can price homeowners out of their fully paid homes.

Benefits of abolishing or reforming property taxes are being touted as:

  • Stronger Property Rights:Some property tax critics argue that the government’s ability to seize a property for unpaid taxes undermines the idea of true ownership. Abolishing property taxes would align legal ownership with genuine economic freedom.
  • Elimination of Volatile, Regressive Taxes:Proponents of abolishment argue that property taxes are inherently unfair because they are based on property value rather than a homeowner’s ability to pay. This particularly harms retirees on fixed incomes who may have paid off their mortgage, but are effectively “priced out” of their homes as property values rise.
  • Economic Draw for Residents and Businesses:Eliminating property taxes could make certain states and localities more economically attractive, encouraging businesses and residents to relocate for lower overall tax burdens.
  • Simplified Tax System:Some suggest replacing property taxes with consumption-based taxes, such as sales taxes, which are seen by some as less complex and easier to administer.
  • Enhanced Local Government Accountability:Eliminating property taxes could force local governments to be more fiscally responsible and reduce spending, while diversifying their sources of funding.

 

Proposed Alternatives to Property Taxes

Several alternatives or modifications have been proposed to address the downsides of property tax while maintaining local funding:

  • Increased Sales Tax:Raising state or local sales taxes is a common alternative, but it can be more regressive than property taxes, disproportionately burdening lower-income households.
  • Land Value Tax (LVT):This is a tax on the value of the land itself, rather than the value of the buildings or improvements on it. Advocates say it discourages land speculation and promotes efficient development.
  • Higher State Income Tax:States could increase their income taxes and distribute a portion to local governments for services. This could centralize power at the state level and make funding less responsive to local needs.
  • “Circuit Breaker” Programs:These programs provide targeted tax relief to specific groups, such as low-income households and seniors, based on their income relative to their property tax burden.
  • Property Tax Laws such as California’s Proposition 13: California’s Proposition 13, passed in 1978, is a constitutional amendment that limits property taxes by capping them at 1% of a property’s assessed value and restricting how much the assessed value can increase each year (by a maximum of 2%). The assessed value is determined by the market value at the time of a change of ownership or new construction, which then becomes the “factored base year value”. This system benefits long-term homeowners by keeping taxes low, but it has also significantly reduced local government revenues and contributed to inequities between long-term and new property owners.
  • Diversification of Revenue Streams:Local governments can explore other revenue sources, such as excise taxes, permits, and user fees, to reduce their dependence on property taxes.

The movement to abolish property tax has gained traction in several states due to soaring home prices and increasing tax bills. However, the economic and practical challenges of replacing this vital revenue source have prevented its widespread repeal.

 

Alternatives to Abolition

While full abolition of property taxes remains controversial, other reform and relief strategies are more broadly discussed and implemented:

  • Increased Homestead Exemptions:Many states offer exemptions that reduce the taxable value of a primary residence.
  • Assessment Limits:Caps on how quickly a property’s assessed value can rise can protect homeowners from sudden, large tax hikes.
  • “Circuit Breakers”:These are tax credits or rebates that protect low-income households from paying more than a certain percentage of their income in property taxes.
  • Tax Swaps:Some proposals suggest replacing property tax revenue with revenue from other sources, such as higher sales taxes.
  • Increased State Aid:States could increase funding to local governments for services like education, reducing reliance on local property taxes.
  • Assessment Challenges:Homeowners can challenge inflated property tax assessments.
  • Targeted Relief:Programs that defer taxes for qualifying seniors, the blind, or people with disabilities can provide targeted relief.

 

Property Tax Reform Movement: Current States

In recent years, movements to abolish property tax have gained renewed momentum across the United States, as rising property values have outpaced inflation, creating discontent among taxpayers and fueling calls for significant reform or total abolition.

Current legislative and ballot efforts in 2025 include:

States Considering Property Tax Abolishment or Reform

State Status (Sept. 2025) Key Proponents Scope of Reform
Florida 2026 ballot amendment for homestead exemption DeSantis, Ingoglia Full homestead abolishment; $43B gap
Texas GOP proposals; grassroots push Rep. Brian Harrison Phased elimination; sales tax hike
Pennsylvania HB 900 for 2030 repeal; school tax focus Diamond, Mastriano Total repeal; education funding risk
North Dakota 2024 Ballot failed; retry planned Grassroots groups Statewide abolishment
Michigan Ballot signatures for repeal Grassroots (AxeMiTax) Full elimination; supermajority vote
Nebraska EPIC plan to end multiple taxes Gov. Jim Pillen Replace with 21.6% consumption tax
Ohio Ballot push; assessment protests Local activists Full repeal; focus on unfair hikes
Illinois Exemption bill for long-term owners State legislators Targeted relief for 30+ year owners
Kansas Levy limit proposals Lawmakers Limit tax growth
Indiana Special sessions on cuts GOP leaders Competitive system adjustments

Aerial view of suburban neighborhood of Austin, Texas

 

The Path Forward

Despite the grassroots momentum for abolition of property taxes in some states, the political and economic challenges are significant. The decisive rejection of a property tax abolishment ballot initiative in North Dakota in 2024 shows that voters are concerned about the potential impact on essential services, even in fiscally conservative areas. This suggests that a gradual and nuanced approach to reform, rather than total abolition, is a more likely path in many places.

 

Property Tax Resources

 

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