2019 How Florida Compares: Taxes

Key Findings and Facts

• Florida continues to be a relatively low tax state, although its rankings have risen slightly. Floridians’ per capita* state and local own source revenue** collections total $5,733, the 40th highest amount among the 50 states. This ranking is up from 42nd the prior year (see p. 8). 
• Florida’s “Per Capita State Tax Collections” ranking climbed significantly in FY2017-18, reaching 44th, up from 49th in FY2016-18. Still, Florida’s state government collects significantly less revenue per capita than the average state, ranking 50th in the nation (see pp. 21-22). 
• While Florida’s state tax and revenue burdens are very low compared to the other states, local tax burdens are much higher. Florida’s “Per Capita State Own Source Revenue” and “Per Capita State Tax Collections” rank 50th and 44th, respectively (see pp. 21-22), whereas “Per Capita Local Own Source Revenue” and “Per Capita Local Tax Collections” rank 14th and 28th, respectfully (see pp. 40-41). 
• Florida relies more heavily on local revenue to fund government than any other state. Florida local governments account for 54.9 percent of Florida’s total state and local revenue, the highest percentage in the nation (see p. 15). 
• Florida’s state and local revenue rankings reached their all-time high in 2006 (22nd for both), fueled by skyrocketing local property taxes and rapidly increasing sales and documentary stamp tax collections at the state level. As the economy soured, so did revenue collections, as they fell dramatically from their windfall levels. Florida’s ranking dropped 20 spots to 42th in FY2014 (see p.8). 
• Florida’s per capita property tax ranking is just above the median—24th. While state revenue collections began to improve in 2011, it took longer for local property taxes to recover. In 2014, property taxes finally began to reverse a trend of five straight years of declining collections (see p.42) 
• Florida also classifies 38.7 percent of its state and local own-source revenue as non-tax revenue, the 9th largest percentage in the nation (see p.17). Nearly half (47 percent) of local own-source revenue is classified as non-tax. 
• State revenues equal 5.6 percent of Floridians’ personal income, and local revenues take out 6.7 percent. This compares to the national average of 7.8 percent and 6.4 percent, respectively.
• Florida relies more heavily on transaction taxes than most states. Transaction taxes (general and selective sales taxes) account for 83.8 percent of all Florida’s state tax collections, compared to the national average of 47.7 percent (see p. 24). 
• Florida has the highest state and local selective sales (excise) taxes on utilities in the nation. Florida also taxes motor fuels and alcoholic beverages higher than average, ranking 17th and 21st, respectively (see p. 14).
• After the 2015 Legislature reduced the communications services tax, Florida’s “State & Local Cell Phone Tax Rate” fell from 4th highest in 2015 to 8th in 2016 and 10th in 2017. Florida’s ranking rose to 9th in 2018 and--at 14.83 percent--our cell phone tax rate is significantly higher than both the U.S. Average of 12.46 percent and Florida’s average state and local general sales tax rate of 7.05 percent (see p. 11).
• Florida’s housing sector also produces significant revenue for the state. Florida’s documentary stamp taxes are rising rapidly again after falling sharply during the recession. Florida collected $276 of these taxes per capita in 2006, but that amount fell to $72 in 2009. Housing is improving again, and per capita collections have risen to $138 in 2018, the nation’s third largest burden (see p. 33).
• Florida is one of seven states without a personal income tax. The average state relies on personal income taxes for 37.0 percent of its tax revenue (see p. 28).
• Businesses pay more than half (53.6 percent) of all state and local taxes in Florida. This is the 9th highest percentage in the nation and higher than the national average of 43.7 percent (see p. 18).