Florida TaxWatch Commends Speaker Sprowls and President Simpson on Plan to Bolster State’s Unemployment-Compensation System through E-Fairness
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro commended the state’s legislative leaders, House Speaker Chris Sprowls (R-Palm Harbor) and Senate President Wilton Simpson (R- Trilby), on their plan to bolster the state’s unemployment-compensation system by requiring out-of-state online retailers to collect sales taxes on purchases made by Floridians.
FTW is pleased about the agreement between Speaker Sprowls and President Simpson to finally allow Florida to take decisive action on the e-fairness issue for taxpayers. As FTW has said for 20 years, the non-collection of sales taxes on sales to in-state customers by remote (out-of-state) sellers has been one of the most significant tax compliance and collection issues facing Florida and other states for many years. Today, Florida is one major step closer to joining the 43 other states that have acted on this critical issue.
Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro said, “E-fairness has been a priority tax and fairness issue for Florida TaxWatch for decades, so we’re thankful that Speaker Sprowls and President Simpson recognized the value of enacting such legislation to help the state’s economy recover from COVID-19.
“Their thoughtful and strategic plan aligns with a recommendation from the recent Florida TaxWatch COVID-19 Taxpayer Task Force, and reducing the burden on small businesses that have been struggling to stay afloat during the pandemic will be a key part of a positive outcome on this issue.
“This innovative move will certainly have significant and lasting benefits on Florida’s fiscal landscape, leading to a more prosperous future for all.”
Additionally, this morning, Rep. Chuck Clemons’ (R-Newberry) HB 15 (Sales and Use Tax), passed in the House Ways and Means Committee, for the first time ever, with an amendment clarifying the funds from the online sales tax would be allocated to the unemployment trust fund. Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) is carrying the companion bill, SB 50 (Tax and Fees on Remote Sales), in the Senate, which is currently being amended to reflect the same.
Calabro continued, “Florida TaxWatch is also extremely grateful to Rep. Clemons and Sen. Gruters for championing this important issue again this session. They’re both true public servants who believe that e-fairness legislation can boost the state economy and support their constituents and all Floridians who are getting back on their feet.”