Trump has proposed reducing property taxes, but has not proposed eliminating them entirely

Donald Trump's tax proposals focus on lowering property tax rates rather than abolishing the tax altogether. During his 2024 campaign, he discussed reducing federal income taxes and corporate taxes, and mentioned property tax relief as part of a broader tax reduction plan. However, property taxes are levied and collected by local governments and states—not the federal government—so any federal action would be indirect, such as changing how property tax deductions work on federal returns or providing grants to states.

No sitting president can unilaterally eliminate property taxes because they are not a federal tax. A president would need Congress to pass legislation, and even then, the changes would likely affect how property taxes interact with federal tax returns, not whether states and localities can collect them. Property tax abolition would require action at the state and local level, where the actual tax is imposed.

Key Takeaways

  • Property taxes are collected by cities, counties, and states—not the federal government—so a president cannot eliminate them without state and local action.
  • Trump's proposals have focused on reducing property tax rates and expanding deductions, not removing the tax entirely.
  • Any federal change would likely affect the property tax deduction on your federal income tax return, not the tax itself.
  • State and local governments rely on property tax revenue for schools, roads, and emergency services, making complete elimination unlikely.
  • Changes to property tax policy would require Congress to pass legislation and states to modify their own tax codes.

How property taxes are collected and who controls them

Property taxes are assessed and collected by your county assessor's office or local tax authority, not by the IRS or any federal agency. The revenue goes directly to local governments—your school district, county, city, and special districts like fire or water authorities. Each state sets its own rules about how property taxes work, what rates explore, and what exemptions exist.

Because property taxes are a local revenue source, a federal president has no direct power to eliminate them. Congress could theoretically pass a law that prevents states from collecting property taxes, but that would be an extraordinary federal overreach and would require states to replace that revenue with something else—likely income tax or sales tax increases. No such proposal has gained serious traction.

What Trump's actual proposals have included

Trump's stated tax goals have centered on reducing income tax rates, cutting corporate tax rates, and simplifying the tax code. Regarding property taxes specifically, his campaign materials mentioned property tax relief, which typically means lowering the rate or expanding deductions rather than elimination.

One mechanism that could affect property owners is changes to the property tax deduction on federal income tax returns. Currently, homeowners who itemize deductions can deduct up to $10,000 in state and local taxes (SALT), which includes property taxes. Expanding this cap or removing the limit would allow more homeowners to deduct property taxes, reducing their federal tax bill. Conversely, reducing or eliminating the deduction would increase federal taxes on property owners. Trump's proposals have not specified which direction he would move this deduction.

The difference between federal tax changes and property tax elimination

It is important to distinguish between federal tax policy changes and the actual elimination of property taxes. A federal change might make property taxes less expensive for you personally by allowing larger deductions, but it would not stop your local government from collecting them.

For example, if Congress expanded the SALT deduction cap from $10,000 to $25,000, a homeowner paying $15,000 in property taxes could deduct more of that on their federal return, lowering their federal income tax. But the property tax itself—the amount owed to the county—would remain unchanged. Your local government would still collect the full amount.

Why complete property tax elimination is unlikely

Property taxes fund essential local services: public schools, police and fire departments, road maintenance, libraries, and emergency services. In most U.S. counties, property tax is the largest source of revenue for schools. Eliminating property taxes without replacing that revenue would require either massive cuts to these services or a shift to other taxes—likely income or sales taxes—that would be politically difficult and economically disruptive.

States that have attempted to cap or reduce property taxes significantly (like California's Proposition 13 in 1978) did so through state ballot measures, not federal action. Even then, those states had to adjust other revenue sources. A federal mandate to eliminate property taxes would face similar obstacles and would likely be challenged as an unconstitutional infringement on state and local authority.

What could actually change under federal tax policy

If Congress passes new tax legislation, the most likely changes affecting property owners would be:

  • Expanding or contracting the SALT deduction cap, which would change how much property tax you can deduct on your federal return.
  • Offering tax credits or deductions specifically for property tax payments, which would reduce your federal tax liability.
  • Changing depreciation rules for rental properties, which would affect investors but not primary homeowners.
  • Modifying how property is assessed for federal tax purposes in certain situations.

None of these would eliminate property taxes themselves. They would only change how property taxes interact with your federal tax bill.

How to stay informed about tax changes

Tax law changes happen through Congress, and proposed bills are public. You can track federal tax proposals through Congress.gov, which lists all bills and their status. Your state legislature also tracks state-level tax changes through your state's legislative website.

If you are concerned about property tax increases, the most direct action is at the local level: attending county assessor meetings, school board meetings, or city council sessions where budget and tax decisions are made. Local officials control property tax rates and policies much more directly than any federal official can.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a president eliminate property taxes with an executive order?

No. Property taxes are state and local taxes, not federal taxes. A president cannot change them through executive order. Any change would require Congress to pass legislation, and even then, it would likely only affect how property taxes interact with federal taxes, not the taxes themselves.

Would lowering federal income taxes reduce my property tax bill?

Not directly. Federal income tax and property tax are separate. Lowering federal income tax would reduce what you owe to the IRS, but your property tax bill—owed to your county or local government—would stay the same unless your local government votes to change the rate.

What if my state wants to eliminate property taxes?

That is a state decision. Your state legislature could pass a law eliminating property taxes, but it would have to replace that revenue with another tax or cut services. This would require a state bill and likely voter approval. You can track state tax proposals through your state legislature's website.

Could Congress replace property taxes with a federal tax instead?

Congress could theoretically pass a law that prevents states from collecting property taxes and replaces it with a federal tax, but this would be unprecedented and would face legal and political challenges. No such proposal has been seriously introduced.

How do I find out what tax changes are actually being proposed?

Visit Congress.gov to search for federal tax bills by keyword. For state-level changes, go to your state legislature's website. Both sites show bill text, sponsors, and current status. Local tax changes are tracked by your county assessor's office and city or county clerk.