Members of the Florida House moved through a long list of bills during a floor session Tuesday. The meeting teed up several tax cut proposals for a floor vote.
The House tax cut plan includes reductions for veterans, students and parents. In fact Bradenton Republican Representative Jim Boyd, who is pushing the chamber’s tax cut package, says there’s something in there for just about everyone.
“This House tax cut package will mean more money in the pockets of moms, dads, veterans, teachers, students, job creators and job seekers. Simply put if you walk, talk, eat, go to school, serve in the military, want to prepare for a hurricane, own a small business, have a child and more you’re getting a tax cut from the Florida House,” Boyd says.
Included in the tax measure is a provision Key Largo Republican Representative Holly Raschein says will benefit small businesses.
“Florida’s tax treatment of commercial properties remains one of the most costly in the nation and we are the only, and let me repeat, only state to charge sales tax on commercial rentals of real property,” Raschein says.
Raschein says a House plan would reduce that tax for two years from 6 percent to 4.5 percent. The number would move to 5.5 percent starting in 2020. Raschein says the proposal would mean major savings for businesses that owners could use to reinvest and hire new workers.
Another House tax proposal would give parents and caretakers of the elderly a sales tax break on diapers and wipes. Tampa Democratic Representative Janet Cruz says the move is especially important for low income moms and dads.
“One of three low income American families don’t have the diapers they need for their kids. Low income families pay roughly twice as much for diapers as families that have access to bulk buying options,” Cruz says.
The House plan would also provide a tax exemption for feminine hygiene products. Plantation Democratic Representative Katie Edwards presented the provision on the House floor.
“As many of you know this concept has been dubbed in popular media as the tampon tax. From 1977 to 1986 the sales tax on such products were exempt. However, it was reenacted in 1986. What we’re doing today is making sure that such products are not subject to state sales tax,” Edwards.
Three sales tax holidays are included in the House tax plan. One for veterans, one for back to school and one for hurricane preparedness. Other provisions include a sales tax break for text books and a carve out for certain agricultural items. Boyd says the House plan totals about $300-million in tax cuts.
