Mississippi Voters Favor Ending Property Taxes

A majority of residents support replacing primary residence property taxes with an increase in statewide sales tax.

Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Taxes

Isometric editorial illustration of a classic brick residential porch, representing the topic of property tax reform in Mississippi. — A majority of Mississippi voters support a proposed policy to eliminate primary residence property taxes by increasing the state's sales tax. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you prefer eliminating property taxes even if it results in higher prices at retail stores?

A new poll shows 56.6% of Mississippians favor eliminating property taxes on primary residences by raising sales taxes. The state currently maintains a 7% sales tax and an effective property tax rate of 0.58%.

Why it matters

Mississippi House leadership is exploring this tax swap as a strategy to offset revenue loss while shifting the state's tax burden. The proposal coincides with ongoing efforts to phase out the state income tax by the late 2030s.

A survey of 501 people found that 56.6% favor replacing property taxes with higher sales taxes, while 24.6% oppose the change. Current state metrics include a 7% sales tax and an effective property tax rate of 0.58%.

The players

Mississippi House of Representatives

The chamber of the Mississippi Legislature currently considering the elimination of homestead property taxes.

Cygnal

A public opinion polling firm that surveyed 501 Mississippi residents regarding state tax proposals.

The details

While taxpayers identified inflation and public safety as top priorities, 13.5% cited tax reduction as their primary concern. Legislators are evaluating whether to proceed with this shift in funding model during the upcoming session.

The legislative session begins in January.
State income tax is expected to be phased out in the late 2030s.

Market Dynamics

This proposal follows a broader fiscal trend in Mississippi, which is currently committed to phasing out its state income tax by the late 2030s. Integrating property tax reform alongside income tax reductions signals a significant shift toward consumption-based state revenue.

If enacted, homeowners would see the elimination of property tax on their primary residences, though the cost of living would likely rise due to higher sales taxes. Residents should monitor upcoming legislative debates to see how these changes might impact their personal budget allocations.

The takeaway

Taxpayers should evaluate how a shift from property to consumption taxes affects their specific household expenditures. Because property tax rates currently sit at 0.58%, residents may want to calculate their potential savings versus the added costs of a higher sales tax rate.