A recent poll conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy Inc. reveals that a significant majority of Florida voters prefer maintaining the current property tax system over adopting a 12% state sales tax rate. The survey, carried out on behalf of the nonpartisan Florida Policy Institute (FPI), indicates that 68% of voters are against replacing property taxes with an increased sales tax.
The poll highlights bipartisan support for keeping property taxes as they are, with 77% of Democrats, 61% of Republicans, and 69% of Independents opposing the proposed tax swap. The FPI report warns that eliminating property taxes would necessitate raising the state’s general sales tax to a nation-high 12%, potentially affecting funding for essential services like police, fire departments, and schools.
Sadaf Knight, CEO of FPI, commented on the findings: “The results of this poll are unsurprising. Florida’s high cost of living remains a major issue, but replacing property taxes with higher sales taxes would disproportionately burden low- and middle-income families, hurt local communities, and make Florida’s inequitable tax system even worse.”
Knight suggested alternative measures to address affordability issues in Florida. These include enacting a Working Floridians Tax Rebate and implementing a property tax circuit breaker program aimed at reducing taxes for low to moderate wage earners.
For two consecutive years, legislation has been introduced in Florida to study the impact of removing property taxes and compensating through budget cuts or increased consumption taxes. Any move to eliminate property taxes would require constitutional amendments needing over 60% voter approval.
Currently, only 29% of voters support swapping property taxes for a doubled state sales tax rate—far below the threshold needed for constitutional change. If pursued, such an amendment would involve legislative approval followed by voter endorsement in a general election.
Mason-Dixon’s telephone survey was conducted from March 11-15 among 625 registered voters in Florida and carries a margin of error not exceeding ±4 percentage points.
Knight expressed optimism about collaborating with legislators: “We look forward to working with the Florida Legislature on common-sense solutions to making the state tax code fairer.”
FPI is committed to promoting policies that enhance economic mobility and quality of life across Florida.
