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

Teaching Every Child to Swim Saves Thousands of Lives from Needless Drownings and Taxpayers Millions

/ Categories: Research, Cost Savings, Education, Energy/Environment, Every Child a Swimmer

This Florida TaxWatch report highlights drowning as a leading cause of death for children in the U.S., particularly in Florida. It stresses the importance of teaching children water safety, noting that swimming lessons can reduce drowning risk by 88%. Despite recent legislative efforts, more actions are needed, such as offering drowning prevention videos to new parents in hospitals and increasing safety measures for at-risk children, including those with autism. The report calls for continued policy efforts to prevent drowning-related tragedies and save lives.

Florida’s Water Supply: Could Florida Experience a Significant Water Supply Shortage by 2025?

A Florida TaxWatch Commentary

/ Categories: Research, Energy/Environment

This commentary highlights a looming water crisis in the Sunshine State. Despite its reputation for abundant water resources, Florida could face a significant water supply shortage as early as 2025, according to projections from the Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research. The report estimates that $1.7 billion in investments for critical water projects is needed by 2040 to avoid a severe shortage. This challenge is exacerbated by Florida's rapid economic and population growth, with an expected 26.4 million residents by 2040. The commentary criticizes current water project funding processes as disjointed and inconsistent, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive statewide strategy. It also discusses recent legislative efforts and proposes solutions, including the implementation of a Five-Year Water Project Work Program.

2024 Florida Legislative Session Wrap-Up

The 2024 Florida Legislative Session Wrap-Up offers a concise yet thorough review of the session's key outcomes. With a $117.5 billion budget, over $1 billion in tax relief, and nearly $10 billion in reserves, the Legislature addressed crucial issues in healthcare, education, insurance, and the environment. The report provides an insightful overview of the bills and budget items that passed, as well as notable legislation that failed to advance, making it an essential resource for understanding the current state of Florida policy and its implications for residents and taxpayers.

Septic-to-Sewer: Protecting Florida’s Ground and Surface Water

/ Categories: Research, Energy/Environment

From the early days on the edge of the Tigris and Euphrates River to now, water has long been a staple of civilization. As discussed in the Florida TaxWatch report “We Can’t Wait on Water” (January 2020), Florida relies upon high-quality water to maintain the well-being of public health, ecosystem services, recreation, property values, and economic activities, such as fishing, boating, sailing, and other water-based tourism. But Florida’s water quality is at risk.

Jacksonville’s Approach to Reducing Flooding and Stormwater Runoff Using Green Infrastructure

/ Categories: Research, Energy/Environment

Green infrastructure, including parks and greenways, is becoming an increasingly important resource for cities to use to help reduce flooding and stormwater runoff, especially in high-risk areas. As seen in Jacksonville, these resources can provide $112.8 million in savings from pollution reduction costs while at the same time helping reduce the impact of flooding and stormwater runoff. Green infrastructure also saves taxpayers and cities a significant amount on maintenance costs over the years by eliminating some of the stress for man-made drainage to handle stormwater during intense rainfalls. Using green infrastructure is a critical resource for building more resilient communities that benefit Florida’s residents and businesses and provide cost savings for taxpayers.

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