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

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Statement by Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro on Gov. DeSantis’ Proposed Tax Relief Measures for Fiscal Year 2023-2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wed., Feb. 8, 2023
CONTACT: Aly Coleman Raschid, aly@on3pr.com, 850.391.5040

Statement by Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro on Gov. DeSantis’ Proposed Tax Relief Measures for Fiscal Year 2023-2024

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The statement below, to be attributed to Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro, pertains to the tax relief measures Gov. Ron DeSantis introduced as part of his Framework for Freedom Budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2023-2024. To learn more and/or schedule an interview with President and CEO Calabro, please contact Aly Coleman Raschid at aly@on3pr.com or 850.391.5040.

“Gov. DeSantis understands that tax relief makes a real, noticeable difference in the lives of everyday Floridians. Florida TaxWatch is grateful to him for introducing over $1.5 billion in new and recurring sales tax holidays and exemptions in the upcoming fiscal year, as families across the state, including parents and pet parents, will be able to save their hard-earned money and use it in ways that they know is best for their future, ways that will allow them and their loved ones (even the furry ones) to live happily and thrive.

“As the ‘eyes and ears’ of taxpayers for over four decades, Florida TaxWatch stands ready to assist Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and House Speaker Paul Renner as they move forward with this unprecedented level of tax relief in their respective chambers during the 2023 Legislative Session. Inflation and affordability are the issues Floridians are talking about at the dinner table and it is refreshing to have leaders responsive to the needs of Florida’s families.  We look forward to providing legislators with the information and resources they need to continue making decisions that will serve the best interests of taxpayers throughout our great state.”

Adding to the $500 million Toll Relief Program that began in January 2023, Governor DeSantis’ Framework for Freedom Budget proposal contains funding for several sales tax holidays and exemptions, including:

  • A permanent sales tax exemption for baby and toddler necessities worth $138.7 million
  • A permanent sales tax exemption for over-the-counter pet medications worth approximately $33.6 million
  • A one-year sales tax exemption on children’s athletic equipment worth $42.5 million
  • A one-year sales tax exemption on household items under $25 worth $138 million
  • Two Back-to-School sales tax holidays, one in the fall and one in the spring as students return to school from winter break, to save Florida families over $210 million
  • A 15-week Freedom Summer sales tax holiday to save Florida families more than $224 million

About Florida TaxWatch
As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit government watchdog and taxpayer research institute for more than forty years and the trusted eyes and ears of Florida taxpayers, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) works to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government. Its research recommends productivity enhancements and explains the statewide impact of fiscal and economic policies and practices on citizens and businesses. FTW is supported by its membership via voluntary, tax-deductible donations and private grants and does not accept government funding. Donations provide a solid, lasting foundation that has enabled FTW to bring about a more effective, responsive government that is more accountable to, and productive for, the citizens it serves since 1979. For more information, please visit www.floridataxwatch.org. 

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