Property tax abolition movement

The property tax abolition movement is a movement in the United States to eliminate property taxes, primarily on homeownership. Supporters of property tax abolition argue it is unfair for cash-poor but asset-wealthy seniors, and opponents argue property taxes are a more progressive form of taxation and/or that full abolition of property taxes would result in large cuts in municipal services.

Background

Supporters of property tax limit ballot measures, such as California Proposition 13 or Oregon Ballot Measure 5, argued that the property taxes that accompanied rising home values outpaced residents' incomes and relief was necessary.

In the 2020s, as houses became more expensive and seniors' social security incomes could not keep up, advocates began to argue for the elimination of property taxes entirely. Supporters of property tax abolition include former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene[1] and Florida governor Ron Desantis. Full property tax abolition efforts have often failed to gain enough support due to local governments' reliance on property tax revenue, resulting in property tax relief referendums and legislation instead.[2]

Legislation

Referendums

A referendum to abolish property taxes in North Dakota failed 63.46 to 36.54 in November 2024.[3][4] This was the first referendum in a wave of property tax abolition efforts, largely led by Republican legislatures.[4]

An effort by Georgia Republicans to place an amendment on the ballot to eliminate property taxes on primary homes[5][6] failed in mid-2026.[2]

Florida governor Ron Desantis expressed support for property tax abolition via a ballot initiative,[7] calling "land/property" taxation as the "more oppressive and ineffective form of taxation" on X.[8][9] The Florida Homestead Tax Exemptions, Property Assessments, and Spending Restrictions Amendment is on the ballot in November 2026, although would enact a property tax reduction, not elimination.[10]

In Ohio, an organization called the Official Committee to Abolish Ohio’s Property Taxes gathered over 300,000 signatures[11] to place a property tax abolition amendment on the ballot in 2026, falling short by 100,000 signatures.[12][13]

Criticism

Opponents of property tax abolition argue that property taxes are often replaced with regressive forms of taxation, such as sales tax increases.[14] The Tax Foundation, an international economic think tank, opposes full property tax abolition,[15] stating that major reductions and elimination of property taxes "create more problems than they solve, distorting property markets and undermining long-term housing affordability."[16]

Progressives favor other forms of property taxes, such as circuit breakers (where property tax is tied to a percentage of income),[14][17] or replacing property taxes with a Georgist land value tax.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "MTG calls for property tax abolition, derides health insurance as 'giant scam'". FOX News. 2025-08-21. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  2. 1 2 Seiler, Zoe (2026-03-04). "Vote on proposal to eliminate Georgia property taxes fails". WABE. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  3. ↑ "North Dakota Initiated Measure 4, Prohibit Taxes on Assessed Value of Real Property Initiative (2024)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  4. 1 2 "New Seminar Explores the Tax Revolt You May Have Missed | Yale Law School". law.yale.edu. 2025-10-27. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  5. ↑ Nolin, Jill (2026-01-29). "Georgia House GOP unveils plan to end property taxes for homeowners • Georgia Recorder". Georgia Recorder. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  6. ↑ Nolin, Jill (2026-03-04). "High-profile GOP property tax overhaul fails to clear the House • Georgia Recorder". Georgia Recorder. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  7. ↑ "Could Florida eliminate property tax? It's complicated". Newsweek. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  8. ↑ "Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) on X". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  9. ↑ "DeSantis signals support for property tax elimination in Florida - CBS Miami". www.cbsnews.com. 2025-02-20. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  10. ↑ Rozier, Angela. "'Please be informed': Treasure Coast leaders urge residents to research Florida property tax amendment". WPBF West Palm Beach.
  11. ↑ Tobias, Andrew (2026-04-23). "Could Ohio abolish property taxes? Signature drive crosses 300,000". Signal Ohio. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  12. ↑ Kasler, Karen (2026-06-05). "Amendment to abolish Ohio property taxes won't be on fall ballot". The Statehouse News Bureau. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  13. ↑ "Amendment to eliminate property taxes in Ohio won't be on November ballot". NBC 4.
  14. 1 2 By (2026-04-03). "Choose Class War, Not Boomer Resentment". jacobin.com. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  15. ↑ "Property Tax Relief & Reform in 2026". Tax Foundation. 2025-10-30. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  16. ↑ Walczak, Jared (2024-11-05). "Confronting the New Property Tax Revolt". Tax Foundation. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  17. ↑ "Property Tax Circuit Breakers" (PDF). Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.
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