9 Actions Florida Should Take to Help Taxpayers Impacted by Hurricane Ian

1.     Postpone tax notices and waive penalties or interest for late tax filings in affected areas

2.     Extend the date for residents to take advantage of the tax discounts they would normally receive for paying property taxes and special assessments in November and postpone or defer the deadline for property tax installment payments

3.     Protect individual and business taxpayers from the risks for notices that they will likely not receive because their home or business addresses is not accessible anymore

4.     Issue no new audits in severely impacted areas, extend the statute of limitations and postpone existing audits that haven’t reached the assessment stage because these can’t be responded to while entire communities are still recovering

5.     Create procedures for fairly estimating taxes which can’t be calculated because records have been destroyed by the storm, moving away from the current method which significantly overestimates activity if no records are available

6.     Initiate procedures to offer payment plan assistance for late taxes, rather than resorting to the standard collection methods, like liens, levies, or bank freezes

7.     Retroactively apply the recently passed law that provides property tax refunds for residential property rendered uninhabitable as a result of a catastrophic event

8.     Provide tangible personal property relief and allow n on-residential properties rendered uninhabitable to receive property tax refunds

9.     Get Congress to pass a Disaster Tax Relief Act that includes provisions from past packages, including elements such as an Employee Retention Credit, an enhanced casualty loss deduction, and other relief provisions

Other Resources

Florida TaxWatch Statement on Hurricane Ian Recovery

Community Involvement

/ Categories: Research, Budget/Approps

Florida’s Budget Outlook: Is the Party Over? Long-Range Financial Outlook Forecasts Coming Budget Deficits

Budget Watch | October 2024

This month’s Budget Watch report takes an in-depth look at Florida's Long-Range Financial Outlook, which projects a stark change in the state's fiscal health. After years of budget surpluses and federal aid, the state is now facing potential deficits starting in fiscal year 2026-27. While Florida’s revenue collections continue to exceed expectations, rising costs—particularly in education and Medicaid—threaten to outpace revenue growth. The report highlights key factors contributing to these looming deficits and urges legislative action to prevent future financial strain. Dive into the full report below for insights on Florida’s economic future and how state lawmakers can navigate the challenges ahead.

Key Points:

  • A projected $2.1 billion surplus in FY 2025-26 could quickly turn into a $6.9 billion deficit by FY 2027-28 if spending growth continues unchecked.
  • Rising costs in education and Medicaid account for much of the increased fiscal need.
  • The report stresses the importance of addressing future deficits now to avoid drastic spending cuts or revenue increases later.

Download the full report for a comprehensive breakdown of Florida’s budget forecast and potential solutions.

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