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

The Continuing Decline of Florida’s Citrus Industry

Florida's citrus industry, once a cornerstone of the state’s identity and economy, has seen a staggering 90% decline in production over the past two decades. The report examines the devastating effects of citrus greening, hurricanes, and economic pressures on growers. Despite efforts to combat citrus greening and natural disasters, Florida’s production has dropped to just 20 million boxes annually, a sharp decline from 300 million boxes in the early 2000s. The report highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions and investments to sustain this generational industry, vital to Florida's heritage and economy.

Florida TaxWatch underscores the importance of supporting Florida's citrus growers through scientific research, infrastructure investment, and strategic revitalization efforts. Sustaining Florida’s citrus industry is essential to preserving its cultural significance and ensuring its economic contributions for future generations.

Download the full report here

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