It would be difficult to find a more clear and widespread competitive disadvantage faced by many Florida businesses than the Business Rent Tax (BRT). This report looks at how to provide relief.
Florida TaxWatch’s continued call for a cut to the business rent tax (BRT) is echoed again in its latest report. The BRT, the only statewide tax of its kind in the country, requires all Florida businesses to pay the state a six percent tax on commercial leases, with a local option up to an additional two percent. This places a significant and costly burden upon Florida businesses, especially start-ups and smaller companies.
This annual report details how Florida stacks up against the rest of the nation in terms of taxes and fees.
Right now, jobs and the future of Florida’s economy are in jeopardy. That’s because some politicians in Tallahassee want to eliminate Florida’s economic development programs and slash the state’s tourism marketing efforts.
Ensuring that Florida has a welcoming tax climate for business and residents is crucial in improving the state economy, creating jobs and keeping money in the pockets of hard-working taxpayers. Florida TaxWatch applauds the Florida House for their commitment to this goal through their proposed tax package.
Legislation filed in the Senate could have a detrimental effect on the insurance industry, which employs more than 200,000 people in Florida. Senate Bill 378 would eliminate the insurance premium tax credit for insurers, the impact of which is highlighted in the latest report by Florida TaxWatch, the state’s premier non-partisan government watchdog.
The 2017 Legislature is considering SB 378, a bill that would eliminate the insurance premium tax (IPT) credit. This report examines the issues involved with repealing the salary credit and concludes it should be maintained.
The latest report by Florida TaxWatch, the state’s independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute & government watchdog, finds that food deserts are taking a serious toll on our residents. The report finds that more than 23.5 million people throughout the United States are in areas deemed food deserts—places that lack access to healthy food options—and that people living in these areas are more likely to be obese and have health complications.
Good nutrition is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle. This report looks at the effect of food deserts on Floridians’ health and life expectancy.
The General Revenue (GR) Estimating Conference met recently to determine how much money will be available to the 2017 Legislature for the new state budget.
As a nonpartisan government watchdog and taxpayer-research institute that focuses on promoting government accountability and transparency, Florida TaxWatch supports the use of public notices in local newspapers of record by government entities to notify all of their citizens of meetings and votes. Unfortunately, current proposed legislation would allow municipality websites to be the only required source for public notice posting.
Florida tourism is an absolutely critical industry to the state, employing millions of people and contributing millions of dollars to state coffers. Despite its importance to the Sunshine State, tourism is in the crosshairs of the Florida House, a costly decision according to the latest report by the state’s premier non-partisan government watchdog, Florida TaxWatch.
Florida tourism is an absolutely critical industry to the state, employing millions of people and contributing millions of dollars to state coffers. Despite its importance to the Sunshine State, tourism is in the crosshairs of the Florida House, a costly decision according to this report.
The latest report by Florida TaxWatch, the state’s independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute & government watchdog, finds that applying a national border-adjusted tax to reinsurance transactions would result in significantly increased property and casualty insurance premiums for Floridians and negatively impact the state economy and job market.
This report analyzes the effects of applying a border-adjusted tax to reinsurance transactions, and estimates the impact of such a tax on Florida’s policyholders, the property insurance market, taxpayers, and the economy.
Today’s Revenue Estimating Conference estimates that an additional $77.8 million in general revenue for the Legislature available to craft the new budget. Despite this boost, the new additions do not materially change the future outlook of the budget process. The Legislature will have to practice fiscal responsibility when crafting the state budget, ensuring that it is balanced and that it funds critical services for taxpayers.
Attorney General Bondi’s MFCU protects Floridians from the neglect and exploitation of Medicaid defrauders, saving Florida millions of dollars.
Principal Leadership Award Winner visits the Capitol to talk about assessments
The latest finding by Florida TaxWatch, the state’s premier non-partisan government watchdog, explores the true cost of education beyond the “per student” number often cited by the Legislature and media. This report gives Florida taxpayers a more comprehensive and insightful view of the ways that education dollars are spent and allows them to make informed decisions as to whether their tax dollars are being spent in a fiduciary manner.
For over 45 years, donor support has made Florida TaxWatch the state’s leading independent voice for taxpayer accountability. There are many ways to support our mission.
