TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch released Calling for Clarity: Florida’s Confusing and Conflicting Scheme for Taxing Government Leaseholds Needs Legislative Attention. The report introduces the idea that Florida’s taxation of government-owned property leased by non-government entities does not align with the principles of sound tax policy – simplicity, fairness, transparency, and ease of administration. In fact, the taxpayer research institute and government watchdog, which has been a trusted resource for state leaders for over 40 years, notes that the law governing the taxation of government leaseholds has been shaped more by the courts than the Legislature and should be subject to a comprehensive review.

My name is Dominic M. Calabro, and I am President and CEO of Florida TaxWatch, an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute and government watchdog which, for over 40 years, has worked to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and accountability of Florida government and promote a fair and equitable system of taxation.