Florida TaxWatch and Rep. Chuck Clemons (R-Newberry) Highlight House Bill 15 as Taxpayer Penalty Relief Endeavor

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch and State Rep. Chuck Clemons (R-Newberry) highlighted House Bill 15 as a taxpayer penalty relief endeavor. The bill, which is up in the House Commerce Committee at 4:15 p.m. (EST), would require out-of-state retailers to collect online sales taxes, protecting Florida consumers from potential legal implications of unknowingly neglecting to make those payments themselves. Florida TaxWatch has been advocating for this for nearly 20 years, particularly after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling (South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc.). 

Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro said, “Floridians are required by law to pay online sales taxes, but most are unaware; and even if they know about it, the process is remarkably tedious. Enacting legislation to shift the burden to out-of-state retailers would protect these hard-working men and women, who are already dedicated taxpayers, while also providing for a more efficient process that puts over $1.3 billion back in local and state government coffers every year. Florida TaxWatch is grateful to Rep. Clemons for supporting this issue – which has been an organizational priority for almost two decades – and working tirelessly to see House Bill 15 through.”

House Bill 15 sponsor, State Rep. Chuck Clemons (R-Newberry) said, “It’s my job to fight for my constituents’ best interests, and that’s exactly what I’m doing with this taxpayer penalty relief endeavor. As it is, taxpayers are beholden to a law that’s rarely enforced, but could easily disrupt their lives and subject them to a thorough audit if not followed. Lifting that weight off their shoulders and placing it on out-of-state retailers, just like the majority of states have already done, is the only right decision here. Florida TaxWatch has made that clear for years, and I’m proud to have had them as a trusted resource throughout this process.”

For more information about Florida TaxWatch’s work on this issue, click here or here.