Original reporting: Hayden Brattlof
Amendment 2 in Florida proposes to exempt certain agricultural equipment from property taxes.
Florida farmers are facing growing financial pressures, from fuel and equipment to land and daily operations.
At Meacham Urban Farm in Tampa, owner Joe Dalessio said those costs are part of keeping the farm running.
“Rising costs and inputs are affecting the whole supply chain, from the farm to transportation,” Dalessio said. “When you see diesel prices go up, that affects the whole supply chain from inputs onto the farm, towards transportation.”
Amendment 2 would exempt qualifying farm equipment, like tractors and irrigation systems, from personal property taxes.
The exemption would also cover qualifying equipment used for agritourism, including activities like pumpkin patches and U-pick farms.
The proposal focuses on tangible personal property used for qualifying agricultural and agritourism activities. That means the tax break would apply to eligible equipment, not the land itself or buildings on the property.
While farmers could see tax savings, local governments could see less revenue.
Hillsborough County Assistant Chief Tax Deputy Fred Montes said the financial impact could be greater in some counties than others.
“In Hillsborough County, that’s a large number. In other counties, a lot of their revenue is from tangible taxes. These rural areas get a lot of their revenue from the tangible.” Montes said. “So this could mean a lot more for some of the smaller counties than for Hillsborough County.”
The exemption would not eliminate property taxes on farmland, buildings, or even homes.
Supporters said the tax break would help farmers manage rising costs, while opponents warn it could reduce local funding for public services.
A “yes” vote approves the exemption, while a “no” vote keeps current rules.
Florida voters will decide whether qualifying agricultural and agritourism equipment should receive this tax break on Nov. 3. The amendment needs at least 60% approval to pass. If approved, the exemption would apply to the 2027 tax year.