Property tax repeals or reforms are being considered in multiple states across the country, following the consistent rise of property taxes over the past five years.
Bills have risen in nearly every U.S. metropolitan area, according to a recent report from real estate brokerage Redfin. In this period, property taxes increased by almost 30 percent, reaching a monthly median of $250.
Susan Wachter, Albert Sussman Professor of Real Estate and Finance, and co-director of the Penn Institute for Urban Research, told Newsweek via email: “The affordability benefits to homeowners of reducing property tax rates as property tax values increase are great.”
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“This can be done while keeping tax revenues needed for local expenses constant,” Wachter said, adding, “Cutting more than this imposes real costs either in lost community services or in the need to raise other taxes.”
These are the states considering repeals or reforms to property taxes.
Florida
Governor Ron DeSantis has signaled his support for eliminating property taxes.
Speaking on The Dana Show podcast earlier this year, he said, “The thing is, it’s possible in Florida … so why would we not take that opportunity to do that?”
DeSantis had first mentioned this in February in a post on X, where he wrote: “Property taxes are local, not state. So we’d need to do a constitutional amendment (requires 60 percent of voters to approve) to eliminate them (which I would support) or even to reform/lower them … We should put the boldest amendment on the ballot that has a chance of getting that 60 percent.”
DeSantis is pursuing this constitutional amendment for 2026.
Idaho
In March of this year, the Idaho Senate voted unanimously to pass a bill which seeks to reduce property taxes.
According to a press release from Republican Idaho governor Brad Little, the bill directs $100 million in relief to property taxpayers. Little said in the press release, “America wants what Idaho has: safe communities, strong schools, and a bustling economy that offers tremendous opportunities for our people to prosper. I am proud to join the dedicated leaders of the Idaho House and Senate for the signing of this important bill today.”
Illinois
In Illinois, legislators are considering a bill which would eliminate property taxes for homeowners who have lived in their houses for 30 years or more.
The bill, titled Senate Bill 1862, proposes that the state’s property tax be amended so that homes owned and occupied as the primary residence of the taxpayer, for a minimum of 30 years, be given a homestead exemption. The bill was filed by Republican Senator Neil Anderson and cosponsored by Republican Senators Dave Syverson and Terri Bryant.
Kansas
In Kansas, a bill put forward by Republican Representative Blake Carpenter proposes a constitutional amendment which would include creating a citizens’ board to evaluate current tax exemptions.
The bill would generate money through eliminating sales tax exemptions, and then this money would be used to cover the state’s education which is currently paid for by property taxes.
Kansas residents would vote on this amendment in November of 2026.
Montana
In Montana, legislation passed in May will see property taxes cut for regular homeowners, with the burden being distributed to second home owners, refineries and utility giants.
Two bills, House Bill 231 and Senate Bill 542 will deliver property tax relief for Montana residents. The bills rebalance property taxes in the state, with taxes being lowered on homes that are occupied by owners, while vacation properties and high value assets will see taxes increased.
North Dakota
In May, North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong, a Republican signed a property tax relief and reform package for the state. According to a press release, the bill more than triples the state’s existing primary residence property tax credit.
In addition to this, Armstrong is seeking to fully end property taxes, through oil-wealth backed funding. The plan would build upon a primary-residence tax credit, proposed to increase every two years, which would eventually rely on the oil tax fund earnings.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is also looking at eliminating property taxes through a constitutional amendment. Republican Representative Russ Diamond introduced the House Bill 900 which would abolish all property taxes as of July 2030.
Diamond hopes that the bill will go to voters.
Tennessee
The Tennessee House of Representatives has passed a resolution which will let voters decide whether to pass a ban on state property tax. The resolution proposes amending the constitution for the state to prohibit the state levying or authorizing a property tax, and has been sponsored by Republican Representative Tandy Darby.
Tennessee voters will decide on the issue in the November election.
