Hialeah Approves Property Tax Rebates for Seniors

The Florida city is the first in the state to effectively eliminate municipal property taxes for qualifying low-income seniors.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The city of Hialeah, Florida has approved a program that will provide one-time property tax rebates to qualifying seniors, effectively eliminating their municipal property taxes. The program is expected to benefit around 2,225 senior households in the city, with the average rebate being $539 per household.

Why it matters

This move comes as Florida lawmakers are considering sweeping property tax reforms to alleviate the financial burden on homeowners. While the state legislature has not yet passed any major reforms, Hialeah's program is an example of a local government taking action to provide relief to seniors on fixed incomes.

The details

Under the new ordinance, Hialeah residents aged 65 or older with a homestead property and income below $37,694 will be eligible for the rebates. The rebates will cover the city's portion of the homeowners' 2025 property tax bills, but will not apply to county or school board taxes. The program is expected to cost the city around $1.2 million, which will come from Hialeah's surplus general fund revenue.

  • The Hialeah City Council unanimously approved the program in late February 2026.
  • A final vote on the program is scheduled for March 10, 2026.
  • If passed, qualified homeowners will receive the rebates by the end of March 2026.

The players

Bryan Calvo

The young mayor of Hialeah who made the property tax rebate program for seniors a campaign promise.

Jose Smith

A former municipal attorney for the cities of Miami Beach and North Miami, who has criticized the program as legally questionable.

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What they’re saying

“For years, seniors were told it couldn't be done. They were told the only solution was to go to Tallahassee, to wait on legislation, to accept that relief was out of reach. But we didn't accept that answer. We found a way. This is proof that the local government can find solutions when others say it can't be done.”

— Bryan Calvo, Mayor of Hialeah (Florida Politics)

“A city may not give ad valorem taxes to any particular group. A city may use federal funds, Community Redevelopment Agency dollars, or other revenues to assist low-income or needy residents, or for a legitimate public purpose. But only non-ad valorem revenues should be used, and it cannot be designed to help just one group of people. There has to be a public purpose.”

— Jose Smith, Former municipal attorney (Miami Herald)

What’s next

A final vote on the property tax rebate program is scheduled for March 10, 2026. If passed, qualified homeowners will automatically receive the rebates by the end of that month.

The takeaway

Hialeah's property tax rebate program for low-income seniors is a local government initiative to provide relief to a vulnerable population, even as the state legislature has yet to pass any major property tax reforms. The program's legality has been questioned, but it demonstrates how some cities are taking matters into their own hands to address the financial burdens faced by their residents.