If You Own a Home in Florida, You Could Receive $1,000

Between car insurance, homeowner’s insurance, and property taxes, Florida residents are spending a significant portion of their income on basic household costs. That’s why many welcomed the recent proposal by the state’s governor, aimed at lowering homeowner’s insurance premiums and returning $1,000 in taxes to primary residence owners.

What does the proposal include?

The property tax relief measure is expected to appear on the 2026 ballot, allowing voters to decide. The governor proposes drastically reducing or even eliminating property taxes, which currently generate around $42.7 billion annually for local governments—making it their largest revenue source.

To make up for this lost revenue, the plan includes a new tax on Florida’s massive tourist industry. In 2024 alone, nearly 143 million visitors traveled to the Sunshine State, making tourism a potentially significant source of new tax income.

Divided Opinions

Critics argue that eliminating property taxes could severely impact funding for public education. The Florida Policy Institute warns that schools could lose up to half of their budgets if this tax disappears.

Who would benefit?

Governor Ron DeSantis’s proposal still needs approval from the state legislature before reaching the 2026 ballot. However, by December 2025, around 5.1 million primary homeowners in Florida could receive a $1,000 check—if the legislature authorizes the payout. It’s a welcome boost in a state with some of the highest taxes and home insurance premiums in the U.S.

Hurricane Protection Grants and Insurance Savings

As part of his 2025-26 budget proposal, the governor also requested $590 million to expand the My Safe Florida Home program. This initiative provides up to $10,000 per home to install hurricane-resistant features like impact windows and doors. These upgrades reduce the risk of storm damage and can help lower homeowner’s insurance premiums.

👉 Learn more about coverage at: Univista Homeowners Insurance or call (305) 995-0032 to speak with one of our insurance experts.