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

Trends in the Cost of Construction Materials

Construction Material Costs Report Cover

Construction is a cornerstone of Florida's economy, contributing $97 billion (5.7 percent) to the state's GDP in 2024. However, rising material costs are presenting significant challenges to the industry, impacting everything from large-scale infrastructure projects to residential home building and affordability for Florida taxpayers. This report examines the national and statewide trends driving these price increases and their potential consequences.

Key Findings:

  • National Prices Remain High: Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost of construction materials has risen substantially across the U.S. due to supply chain disruptions, labor costs, inflation, and trade uncertainty. The Producer Price Index (PPI) for construction materials has surged from 233 to 338 in the last five years, indicating a sharp increase in wholesale prices.
  • Florida Feels the Impact: Florida is experiencing similar trends. The RoMac Building Supply Whole House Commodity Index, a measure of the cost to build a home in Florida, was 5.1 percent higher in July 2025 than in July 2024. These increases are estimated to add approximately $10,000 to the price of a new home and are causing budget overruns in affordable housing projects.
  • Widespread Material Inflation: Key materials have seen significant year-over-year price hikes. In the Southeast region, wood prices have increased by 8.2 percent, drywall/insulation by 6.2 percent, steel by 5.1 percent, and concrete by 4.7 percent between June 2024 and June 2025.
  • Tariffs and Imports are Major Factors: The industry's reliance on imported materials, combined with significant tariffs—such as the 50 percent tariff on steel, aluminum, and copper—exacerbates cost issues. With domestic production struggling to meet demand, Florida remains vulnerable to global trade volatility.
  • Uncertain Outlook: With the construction market remaining volatile, there is no immediate end in sight for high material costs. The lack of increased domestic production means that prices are likely to remain elevated, continuing to pressure the construction sector and the broader Florida economy.

This trend poses a direct threat to Florida’s growth and affordability. As material costs remain a top concern for nearly half of Florida's contractors, the impacts will continue to be felt in the housing market, transportation infrastructure development, and the state's ability to deliver crucial affordable housing.

Meet the Author:

Jui Shah
Jui Shah
Research Economist
LinkedIn

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