There is a big battle brewing.
As Tax Day approaches, lawmakers in several states are pushing to abolish property taxes, with some arguing that homeowners should not have to “rent” from the government. In Pennsylvania, State Rep. Russ Diamond is championing this cause with a resolution aimed at ending property taxes. He plans to file a draft constitutional amendment (HB 900), which would allow voters to decide on the issue during Election Day. Diamond believes property taxes are a significant concern for many Pennsylvanians and wants to ensure people can truly own their homes without government interference.
Diamond’s stance is shared by others, including Pennsylvania State Sen. Doug Mastriano, who refers to property taxes as “rent to the government” and has pointed out that over 10,000 homes are seized annually for failure to pay these taxes. Meanwhile, in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis has also raised concerns about property taxes, questioning why homeowners still have to pay taxes on properties they’ve purchased and paid off. DeSantis has expressed support for legislation to provide relief to homeowners, with some lawmakers exploring property tax elimination frameworks and exemptions for residential properties.
In New Jersey, which has the highest property taxes in the U.S., Republican lawmakers are pushing for tax relief, with Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer backing the efforts. Gottheimer’s plan includes significant tax cuts and a rental tax credit. Similarly, in Indiana, Gov. Mike Braun has proposed capping property tax bills, citing struggles faced by senior citizens due to high taxes. These proposals come amid broader discussions on how to address rising property tax burdens and ensure taxpayers are not overly burdened by these costs.
In contrast, states like Hawaii, Alabama, and Nevada have relatively low property taxes, while New Jersey, Illinois, and Connecticut have among the highest. In Pennsylvania, Gov. Josh Shapiro has focused on expanding the state’s Property Tax and Rent Rebate program to assist senior homeowners, rather than abolishing property taxes altogether. The debate over property taxes continues to evolve across the country as lawmakers seek to address the financial pressures faced by homeowners.
