The City of Miami is delivering on a major affordability promise to senior residents, with rebate checks now landing in mailboxes across the city under a property tax relief program spearheaded by Commissioner Ralph Rosado.
Approved as part of the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget, the program provides a 100% rebate of the city’s portion of property taxes for qualifying seniors.
To qualify, residents must be 65 or older and own a homesteaded primary residence within Miami city limits. The rebate applies only to the city’s share of property taxes and does not affect taxes levied by the county, School Board or other authorities.
“This program is about delivering real relief where it matters most,” Rosado said. “Our seniors built this city, and they deserve the ability to remain in their homes without being overwhelmed by rising costs.”
The initiative was developed following community input and financial analysis, with city leaders opting for a full rebate to maximize impact for those most in need.
Now, the results are becoming tangible. Over the past week, the City processed about 2,300 rebate checks, ranging from $1 to $14,054, with an average of $1,036. For many recipients, that represents meaningful financial relief as affordability concerns continue to mount.
“This is what responsive government looks like: listening to residents, taking action, and following through,” Rosado said. “We’re not just talking about affordability — we’re putting money back in people’s pockets and helping seniors stay rooted in their community.”
City officials say the program was designed to be both impactful and fiscally responsible, focusing on the city’s portion of the tax bill while leveraging existing homestead eligibility requirements to streamline implementation.
The refund checks are shipping out as Gov. Ron DeSantis and lawmakers continue weighing whether — or how — to let voters decide the fate of homestead property taxes in Florida.
While the 2026 Legislative Session ended without lawmakers greenlighting a ballot question for November. The House passed a resolution (HJR 203) that would have exempted homesteaded properties from all ad valorem taxes other than School District levies while prohibiting local governments from cutting total funding for law enforcement, firefighters and other first responders.
The resolution never received a hearing in the Senate. The door is still open for a different proposal, however, with the Governor saying he expects the ultimate product will emerge during a Special Session later this year.
