Florida TaxWatch is constantly looking to spread the word about our research, recommendations, and programs, all in pursuit of serving each and every taxpayer in Florida. Below is just a selection of where we’ve popped up in the last few weeks!
The 2020 Florida Legislature enacted two more sales tax holidays, a three-day “back-to-school” and a seven-day disaster preparedness tax holiday. Although the pending threat from the COVID-19 virus lead to the Legislature eliminating nearly all the tax cuts they were considering, the popularity of sales tax holidays was affirmed once again. From May 29-June 4, items to help Floridians prepare for hurricane season, such as flashlights, portable two-way or weatherband radios, waterproof sheeting, generators, and tie-down kits will be exempt from sales sax. This will save Floridians an estimated $5.6 million.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida TaxWatch (FTW) today announced the winners of the 2019 TaxWatch Productivity Awards (TPA), which is celebrating 30 years of recognizing and rewarding the dedication and hard work of state employees who find ways to improve services, increase efficiencies and save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars each year. The awards program is presented by Kyra Solutions, Inc.
Today, Florida TaxWatch released the Taxpayers’ Budget Guide to the FY2018-19 state budget, which went into effect July 1, 2018.
As the Florida Legislature prepares to go into conference budget negotiations to finalize the FY2018-19 budget, state estimators gave lawmakers a bit of good news. Florida’s General Revenue (GR) Estimating Conference met on February 9 and forecast that the state would collect an additional $461.8 million in FY2017-18 and FY2018-19.
Governor Rick Scott recently released his eighth and final budget recommendation. This report details the proposal by budget area.
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.
It is Hurricane season in Florida. And Seminole season. And it’s also the season for the Gators and Rattlers and Bulls and many others. After a long hot summer, Floridians are eagerly awaiting the return of college football. Not only is college football great for the fans, it is also a boon for communities and the state’s economy.
Few legislative decisions have been as wildly popular as Florida’s “sales tax holidays.” They have become more than just a tax break. They are a traditional back-to-school event that families plan for, neighbors talk about and businesses promote. This year’s back-to-school sales tax holiday – from August 5 through 7 – is shorter than last year and does not exempt from taxes some items previously included such as computers. But there are few tax breaks that generate such excitement among taxpayers while stimulating business activity with increased advertising and competition.
Florida’s world-renowned, $10 billion citrus industry is an important sector of the state economy, providing thousands of jobs and capital to agricultural regions. As the nation’s largest supplier of citrus, the success of this industry is vital to Florida’s diversified economy.
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