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: Census

Florida TaxWatch Census Primer: Agriculture

"Florida TaxWatch Census Primer: Agriculture" sheds light on the significant impact of census undercounts on Florida's agricultural sector. Historically, Florida has experienced notable census undercounts, with the 2020 census missing an estimated 750,000 residents, a statistic that stands out as the state's most substantial loss in recent decades​​. The primer emphasizes the importance of the census count in securing fair federal representation and funding for Florida, highlighting the potential loss of congressional seats and federal funding ranging between $11 billion to $21 billion due to the 2020 undercount​​.

This document delves into the specific consequences of census undercounts for Florida's agriculture, including the loss of federal funding and limitations in essential data. Approximately one-third of Florida farms are located in rural counties, which are particularly vulnerable to undercounts. In Fiscal Year 2022 alone, Florida received $211 million in census-derived funding for rural areas, underscoring the importance of accurate counts​​. The primer also discusses the critical role of the census in shaping demographic estimates and the distribution of characteristics across counties and states, which are vital for planning rural development and food assistance programs.

Looking ahead, the primer encourages stakeholders in Florida's agricultural industry to prepare for the 2030 Census, highlighting the importance of staying informed about census-related issues, encouraging employee participation in the census, advocating for involvement among local businesses and government officials, and investing in community efforts to support a complete count​​. This document is not only an essential read for those in the agricultural sector but also offers valuable insights for policymakers, community leaders, and anyone interested in the far-reaching implications of census data accuracy.

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