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

Solvency of the State Employees' Health Insurance Trust Fund

State Employees' Health Insurance Trust Fund Report Cover

The financial solvency of the State Employees' Health Insurance Trust Fund is vital for ensuring the availability of affordable health coverage for Florida's state employees. This report from Florida TaxWatch examines the Trust Fund’s financial outlook for fiscal years 2024 through 2029, highlighting the rising costs of health insurance and potential policy solutions to maintain the fund’s solvency.

The analysis shows that despite an initial estimated cash balance of $652.7 million for FY 2024-25, increasing expenses will result in projected operating losses over the next five years. Without changes to the current funding model or additional legislative appropriations, the Trust Fund risks running a deficit of over $1.5 billion by FY 2028-29.

Key factors include a rising number of enrollees due to legislative actions and consistent increases in healthcare costs. The report notes that Florida has historically maintained solvency through legislative appropriations but emphasizes that this approach may not be sustainable, especially with anticipated budget deficits in coming years.

Florida TaxWatch recommends aligning employee premium contributions more closely with those of other large employers, which could save the state approximately $446 million annually. The report also suggests revising contribution rates based on actuarial benefit differences between existing health plans to promote financial equity and sustainability.

As Florida anticipates significant budget challenges, proactive measures to address the Trust Fund’s solvency are crucial for long-term fiscal health and the well-being of state employees.

Meet the Author:

Bob Nave
Bob Nave
Senior Vice President of Research
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