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

Download the Recommendations

Other Resources

Florida Disaster.biz
FEMA
Florida Department of Financial Services
Florida SBDC
Disaster Contractors Network
Florida Disaster Fund

Florida TaxWatch Statement on Hurricane Ian Recovery

Community Involvement

/ Categories: Op-Eds

Floridians with Disabilities Face Hurdles In Employment

Florida’s economy has rarely been stronger than it is now with our state’s unemployment at 5 percent and strong growth predicted for the state’s future.

However, there is a critical segment being left behind in this economic expansion. Floridians with disabilities account for more than 20 percent of the population, yet only 30 percent of those are employed.

It is important that Floridians recognize that a growing rate of unemployment for persons with disabilities is a concern for everyone.

People with disabilities who are given the opportunity to leave the sidelines and pursue their life’s dreams are less likely to rely on public assistance, providing a net gain for all taxpayers. In turn, this allows taxpayer money to be invested in other areas beneficial to all Floridians, such as education, healthcare, and vital infrastructure.

This economic advantage also enhances businesses’ social and corporate relationships with their customers. Those who hire people with disabilities improve their employee diversity and deepen their commitment to reflect and support their communities.

Thankfully, our elected state leaders have noted these issues and passed two bills that expand opportunities to Floridians with disabilities. All of Florida’s taxpayers should appreciate and thank Senate President Andy Gardiner and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli for their efforts to expand education and employment incentives for people with disabilities. Gov. Rick Scott signed SB 672 into law in January.

Thanks to their leadership, disabled Floridians will be able to permanently take advantage of Florida Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts Program which gives disabled children the resources they need to receive a quality education. Additionally, disabled Floridians will be given more opportunities in the workplace by encouraging private companies and state agencies to hire them, granting them a sense of self-worth and financial independence.

These efforts will level the playing field by providing all Floridians access to a high-quality education and workforce skills. These goals are consistent with the Work Force Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA) and the Florida Chamber’s “Six Pillars” plan for sustainable growth. With the government’s recognition and support of these efforts, disabled, working Floridians will further diversify and improve the state’s economy. Employing people with disabilities is a “win-win” for everybody including all of Florida’s hard-working taxpayers.

JR Harding lives in Tallahassee and is a longtime author, speaker and advocate for people with disabilities. Dominic M. Calabro is the president and CEO of Florida TaxWatch.

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