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: Research, Voter Guides

The Florida Taxpayer's Voter Guide for the 2024 Constitutional Amendments

2024 Florida TaxWatch Voter Guide - In-Depth Summary

The 2024 Florida TaxWatch Voter Guide provides detailed information on six proposed amendments appearing on the November 5, 2024 ballot. It includes a breakdown of each amendment’s purpose, arguments for and against, fiscal impact, and the organization’s voting recommendations.

Amendment 1: Partisan Election of School Board Members

This amendment proposes making school board elections partisan starting with the 2026 election. Supporters believe it will enhance transparency, while opponents argue it could increase the politicization of education.

Recommendation: Yes Vote – Transparency will give voters more insight into candidates' beliefs.

Amendment 2: Right to Hunt and Fish

This amendment aims to establish hunting and fishing as constitutional rights. Proponents argue it protects these activities from future restrictions, while critics say constitutional amendments should be reserved for fundamental rights.

Recommendation: Yes Vote – Protecting these cultural activities is essential for Florida’s economy and heritage.

Amendment 3: Legalization of Adult Personal Use of Marijuana

This proposal would legalize recreational marijuana for adults over 21. Advocates highlight the economic benefits, while opponents warn about increased crime, health risks, and monopolization by current medical marijuana businesses.

Recommendation: No Vote – TaxWatch is concerned about potential monopolization and societal costs.

Amendment 4: Abortion Rights Before Viability

This amendment would establish a constitutional right to abortion before fetal viability. Supporters emphasize personal medical freedom, while opponents are concerned about the removal of parental consent requirements and ambiguous language.

Recommendation: No Vote – Concerns about lack of clarity and impact on parental consent laws.

Amendment 5: Inflation Adjustment for Homestead Property Tax Exemption

This amendment would adjust homestead property tax exemptions annually for inflation. While it offers relief to homeowners, some worry about the potential reduction in local government revenue.

Recommendation: Yes Vote – Provides moderate relief to homeowners without significant fiscal impact.

Amendment 6: Repeal of Public Campaign Financing Requirement

This amendment seeks to eliminate public funding for state campaigns, arguing it would save taxpayer money. Opponents believe it could increase the influence of wealthy donors and special interest groups.

Recommendation: No Vote – Public financing supports fair elections by encouraging diverse candidates.

The guide encourages voters to reflect on whether these proposed amendments align with fundamental state values and to consider their potential long-term impacts. It emphasizes that constitutional amendments should not serve as a substitute for legislation. Florida TaxWatch aims to educate voters about the economic and governance implications of each amendment, providing a space for notes to assist voters at the polls.

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Tags: Florida TaxWatch2024 Voter GuideFlorida constitutional amendmentsNovember 2024 ballotelection guideFlorida amendments analysisAmendment recommendationshomestead property tax exemptionmarijuana legalizationabortion rights Floridapublic campaign financinghunting and fishing rights