2021 How Florida Compares: Taxes
Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideHave you ever wondered how Florida’s taxes stack up against the taxes in other states? If so, this report is for you.
Florida TaxWatch In the News (May 1 – 15)
In the NewsFlorida TaxWatch is constantly looking to spread the word about our research, recommendations, and programs, all in pursuit of serving each and every taxpayer in Florida. Below is just a selection of where we’ve popped up in the last few weeks!
2019 How Florida Compares: Taxes
Local Government, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideThe 2019 Edition of this annual pocket guide gives taxpayers and elected officials great insight as to how Florida’s taxes compare to other states and the national average across a wide variety of metrics.
2018 How Florida Compares: Taxes
Local Government, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideThe 2018 Edition of this annual pocket guide gives taxpayers and elected officials great insight as to how Florida’s taxes compare to other states and the national average across a wide variety of metrics.
Florida Manufacturing: A Highly Productive and Integral Economic Driver
Economic Development, Manufacturing, Research, Workforce DevelopmentIntroduction According to Newton’s first law of motion, an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an outside force. Florida’s manufacturing sector
Florida TaxWatch Analyzes Florida Sheriffs’ Offices Staffing, Recommends Policies to Retain, Recruit, and Fund Law Enforcement Workforce
Press ReleasesFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, December 18, 2025 CONTACT: Christina Johnson Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released its analysis of Florida Sheriffs’ Offices Staffing Analysis to better understand staffing challenges
Fiscal Year 2023: Florida’s Continuing Success in Debt Reduction
BlogThe 2023 Debt Report for Florida highlights the state’s strong financial standing, with a debt ratio below the 6% legislative target for the tenth consecutive year. Florida’s debt and debt service have decreased, while General Revenue collections increased by $3.3 billion. Rating agencies affirmed AAA ratings and a stable financial outlook. The report details Florida’s debt management strategies, including limiting debt accumulation and maintaining high reserves, contributing to a strong debt capacity and reduced future costs. Local government debt, however, remains comparatively high. The state’s prudent financial practices are underscored, benefiting taxpayers and indicating a healthy fiscal future.
Florida TaxWatch Analyzes Compensation and Workplace Issues in the Offices of State Attorneys and Public Defenders
ReleasesTallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released Why Taxpayers Should Care About Workforce Instability with Florida’s Public Defenders and State Attorneys. This report builds on FTW’S previous research, Improving State Attorney and Public Defender Budget Process and Targeting Salary Increases Will Help Achieve Revision 7 Goals- Reduce Trial Lawyer Turnover (February 2004) and When It Costs More To Pay Less(March 2014), to present an updated analysis of how low salaries, heavy caseloads, limited work flexibility, and high turnover rates among assistant state attorneys (ASAs) and assistant public defenders (APDs) impact these critical positions and the Florida taxpayers they serve. Both previous reports successfully led to more competitive salaries and reduced turnover in these offices.
2022 Legislature Should Reauthorize the Qualified Target Industry (QTI) Tax Refund Program
Economic Development, Research, TaxesThere has been an ideological debate regarding economic development incentives brewing in the Legislature for several years. The Qualified Target Industry (QTI) Tax Refund Program is a performance-based program that refunds some of the taxes a business has already paid, but only after it is verified that the contracted requirements have been met, including the promised increase in high-wage jobs.
Comments to the Honorable Ana Maria Rodriguez, Chair, and Members of the Senate Committee on Finance and Tax Regarding SB 982 – Tax Refund Program for Qualified Target Industry Businesses
ReleasesThe Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program is a performance-based incentive program, that incentivizes the creation of high-quality, high-wage jobs – the higher the wage, the larger the refund – in sought-after targeted industries and offers a bonus for new jobs in rural areas of the state, incentivizing businesses to locate in economically disadvantaged counties.
