DeSantis Signs Order Extending Property Tax Payment Deadlines for Destroyed Areas

FORT MYERS BEACH (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order to extend deadlines for payments of property taxes at locations that were destroyed or determined to be uninhabitable.

“The last thing I think we want is, you know, someone loses their home and then they are getting hit up for property taxes on a home that doesn’t exist anymore,” DeSantis said.

The order applies to the FEMA counties designated for damage from Hurricane Ian and includes real property, personal homes, and commercial that businesses. The governor plans to call a special session later this year for property owners to receive rebates on their property taxes.

“We want to make sure that we’re doing all we can to clear the burdens that folks are dealing with when it comes to recovering from this storm,” he said.

DeSantis noted he does not have the authority to eliminate the payments as governor but said the order will buy the state legislature time to approve legislation during a special session this year. The governor said he spoke with incoming House and Senate leadership.

“And they are eager to come back to be able to make this relief permanent for victims of Hurricane Ian and particularly those who had a total loss of their home or of their business,” he said.

The exact date of the special session will be announced at a later date. The governor said the legislature will look into additional appropriations for communities affected by Ian, noting that many services rely on property taxes.

DeSantis said he also spoke with the leadership about addressing the homeowners insurance industry in Florida. He pointed to “positive” reforms that were approved back in May.

“But there were also things that we wanted to do that the legislature at that time was not willing to do,” DeSantis said. “I think we will be able to do that in this special session.”