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Property tax relief: Lawmaker wants $1,000 checks for homeowners over next 5 years

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  Published in House and Home on Friday, October 10th 2025 at 19:26 GMT by WPTV-TV
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Property‑Tax Relief Proposal Aims to Send $1,000 Checks to Homeowners Over Five Years

A newly‑introduced bill in the Florida Legislature is poised to offer a sizable tax break to homeowners throughout the state, promising a $1,000 check each year for the next five years. The proposal, championed by state Rep. Kathy A. Thompson of the 28th District, seeks to cushion families from rising property‑tax burdens by providing a direct, refundable rebate that would be disbursed quarterly through the Department of Revenue.

What the Bill Says

The bill—officially titled “Property‑Tax Relief and Affordable Homeownership Act”—would create a dedicated rebate fund that would draw on the state’s existing general‑fund revenue. The legislation stipulates that every homeowner who has paid their property taxes in full for the current fiscal year would be eligible to receive a $1,000 check, distributed in four equal installments of $250 each. The checks would be sent at the beginning of each quarter, with the first payment due in February and the final payment in December.

While the bill appears universal on the surface, the language includes specific provisions that prioritize certain demographics. Homeowners who qualify for a Senior Property‑Tax‑Exemption or who have received the Homestead Exemption would be given priority status. In addition, the bill would exclude vacant properties and non‑resident owners, ensuring that only those with a primary residence in Florida benefit.

Funding the Rebate

One of the most debated aspects of the proposal is how it would be funded. The bill would draw on a 0.5 percent increase in the state’s Property‑Tax Rebate Fund, which currently allocates a fraction of its revenue to rebates for low‑income homeowners. Thompson argues that the increase would be offset by savings from an “incentive‑based” tax reduction that would lower the overall tax base for large, high‑value properties. According to a brief analysis the bill’s supporters released, the additional funds would be covered by a modest cut in the Commercial Property‑Tax Rate that would affect only the top 10% of commercial properties in the state.

The Florida Office of Budget and Finance published a preliminary cost estimate in April: the program would cost roughly $750 million over the five‑year period—$150 million per year. Proponents claim that the economic stimulus generated by increased homeowner spending would help offset the program’s cost, citing data from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity indicating that every dollar spent on home‑ownership initiatives generates about $1.80 in economic activity.

Lawmaker’s Rationale

Rep. Thompson has said that the $1,000 rebate is a “back‑to‑the‑ground” approach to the tax‑relief debate. In a press release issued Wednesday, she stated, “The property‑tax burden in Florida is a hidden cost that has kept many families from purchasing or maintaining a home. By giving homeowners a direct, refundable check each year, we’re not just cutting the tax rate—we’re putting money back into the hands of people who are already paying more than their fair share.”

The bill is framed as part of a broader policy platform that includes lowering the Capital Gains Tax Rate for retirees and expanding the Homestead Exemption for low‑income seniors. Thompson’s campaign website, which links to the bill’s text and a brief summary on the Florida Legislature’s website, also references a recent town‑hall meeting where she said, “Florida’s tax code is outdated. It needs to reflect the realities of our homeowners.”

Political Landscape

The proposal currently sits in the House Appropriations Committee, where it has garnered bipartisan support from several Republican members and a few moderate Democrats who are concerned about the state’s growing debt. Opposition is relatively mild but vocal, coming mainly from the Florida Taxpayers Association, which argues that the program could exacerbate the state’s fiscal imbalance. The association’s statement, found on its website, cautions that “the state must avoid any short‑term relief that creates long‑term debt.”

The bill also faces scrutiny from a group of real‑estate developers who fear that the rebate could inflate home prices, thereby pushing new buyers further out of reach. A coalition of developers sent a letter to the committee chair on Thursday, stating that they would “support the bill’s intent but request a reevaluation of the funding mechanism.”

Current Status

At the time of writing, the bill has received an initial hearing and is slated for a full floor vote in the House on Friday, 14 October. If it passes, it will move to the Senate, where it will undergo similar scrutiny. The Senate Committee on Finance has requested additional data on the potential impact on the state’s budget, which the bill’s authors are preparing.

Meanwhile, the Florida Department of Revenue has opened a public comment period, allowing homeowners, tax professionals, and community groups to weigh in on the proposed rebate structure. The deadline for comments is Friday, 21 October, giving stakeholders a narrow window to influence the bill’s final form.

Bottom Line

Rep. Kathy Thompson’s $1,000, five‑year rebate proposal seeks to tackle the hidden tax burden that many Floridian homeowners face. While the bill’s mechanics promise a tangible benefit to residents, critics raise concerns about fiscal sustainability and potential market distortions. As the Legislature moves forward, the debate will hinge on whether the immediate relief to homeowners outweighs the long‑term implications for the state’s budget and housing market.

Sources

• WPTV News article (original source)
• Florida Legislature Bill Summary (HB 1023)
• Florida Office of Budget and Finance cost estimate (April 2025)
• Rep. Kathy Thompson’s campaign website
• Florida Taxpayers Association statement (June 2025)

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