Seems like there is a push here in Florida to do away with property taxes and increase the state sales tax by a few cents.  The current statewide sales tax is 6% with some counties being a half-penny or penny higher.  I saw one estimate that said the state sales tax could go as high as 13%.  Some of the House leaders in Tallahassee will be unveiling a plan today to Governor Crist, which is sure to spark more contentious debate.  From News-Press.com in Southwest Florida: 

Their plan, to be unveiled today, also would roll back taxes on all businesses, second-homes and rental properties to a pre-boom year like 2001. 

“It eliminates everyone who has homesteaded property from complaining about their property taxes,” said Rep. Dave Murzin, a Pensacola Republican who is part of a property tax reform panel touring the state. “They wouldn’t have any.”

The property taxes here in Florida have been skyrocketing the last few years due to the increasing property values.  Homesteaded properties enjoy a benefit whereby property taxes are capped by 3% per year.  Non-homesteaded properties such as businesses, rentals, and second homes do not enjoy this benefit.   All who pay property taxes are looking for relief but are facing staunch opposition from local and county governments, whose budgets have swollen from the increased revenues. 

This should be very interesting to watch in the coming days and weeks. 

 

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