President’s Message Garry McDonald CSA President Florida’s ongoing property tax debate has become one of the most important financial issues facing Canadian snowbirds in 2026. While no changes have been enacted yet, the proposals under discussion could significantly reshape who pays for local services – and many seasonal residents may find themselves at a disadvantage. At the centre of the debate is a proposal advanced in the Florida House of Representatives that would dramatically reduce or even eliminate the non-education portion of property taxes on primary residences, known as “homesteads.” These tax breaks are designed to benefit full-time Florida residents, many of whom have seen rising home values drive up their tax bills. While the proposal passed the House, it has not been approved by the Senate and has not yet made it onto a statewide ballot. As a result, the current system remains in place – for now. Non-education property taxes currently fund police, fire services, infrastructure and municipal operations. If these taxes are removed, local governments could be faced with significant revenue shortfalls. It’s important to remember that Florida does not have a state income tax; at the end of the day, the money must come from somewhere. To compensate, local governments may be forced to cut services, increase fees or shift the tax burden elsewhere. For Canadian seasonal residents, this raises a clear issue of fairness. Snowbirds already pay higher effective tax rates than do permanent residents on comparable homes due to caps and exemptions which they cannot access. While politically attractive, this approach narrows the tax base and, again, may shift a greater share of the burden onto non-homesteaded properties – a category that includes Canadian snowbirds, rental properties and most commercial real estate. What may appear at first to be separate constituencies are increasingly aligned around one central concern – maintaining a fair, sustainable and adequately funded local tax base. Where the alignment becomes especially significant is with fire, police and first responders, whose services are funded largely through local property taxes. These departments rely on stable and predictable revenue in order to maintain staffing, equipment and emergency readiness. From their perspective, the issue is not about who pays less, but whether there is enough funding to maintain essential services. This is where their interests converge with those of both snowbirds and commercial stakeholders. So, what is the Canadian Snowbird Association doing in response to this challenge? CSA officials have been meeting with these diverse groups in Florida in an effort to present a united front and increase the strength of this coalition seeking to ensure equitable property tax reform. We have increasingly emphasized this shared interest in our advocacy. Rather than positioning seasonal residents in opposition to Florida homeowners, the CSA has highlighted the importance of equitable burden-sharing and fiscal sustainability –principles that resonate strongly with municipal leaders, business groups and public safety officials alike. In practical terms, this alignment is shaping the policy conversation. There is growing discussion around solutions that: • preserve some level of homestead relief while avoiding extreme shifts onto non-homesteaded properties; • ensure dedicated funding streams for emergency services; and • maintain a broad and balanced tax base to support long-term community stability. As the 2026 debate progresses, this coalition – snowbirds, commercial property owners and public safety stakeholders – may prove highly influential. Their shared message is straightforward: tax reform must be fair, but it must also work. Without balance, the risk is not just inequity, but weakened services and economic disruption – outcomes that none of these groups can afford. Leaders in the Florida legislature are expected to call a special session focused on this issue in the late spring or early summer for possible inclusion as a ballot item that would be presented to Florida voters in November of 2026. We will be engaging these officials throughout the process. To help reduce printing and distribution expenses, this year’s renewal campaign will take a slightly different approach. Members will first receive two email reminders encouraging them to renew online. Hard-copy renewal letters will then be sent only to those who have not completed their renewal online. This approach is expected to help lower overall renewal costs. Whether you’re heading to the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean or staying within Canada, travel today is more complex than ever. Each destination brings its own rules, from entry and residency requirements to health care, taxes and local laws that can impact your plans. And these rules are evolving quickly, which means that missing an update could easily disrupt your trip. In short, uncertainty doesn’t disappear when you change destinations, it simply takes on a different form. That’s where the Canadian Snowbird Association comes in. Please renew your membership to stay informed, travel with confidence and continue benefitting from trusted updates and advocacy on your behalf. 12 | www.snowbirds.org
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