Legislators pass $400 million tax cut bill

As legislators near the end of the special session on June 20 to pass a new budget and avoid partial government shutdown, the Senate passed a bill that contains $400 million tax cuts for Florida families, businesses, military and students. House Bill 33-A includes $400 million in broad-based tax cuts through sales tax exemptions and reductions that permanently decrease the communication services tax (CST) on Floridians’ phones and television services, institutes a 10-day Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday beginning August 7, removes the sales tax on college textbooks for one year beginning July 1 and eliminates the sales tax charged to returning service members and their families who have purchased a vehicle overseas. “Giving Floridians back more of the money they earn in tax cuts is the best thing we can do to keep Florida’s economy growing,” said Governor Rick Scott. “Cutting Florida’s cell phone and TV tax is particularly important because it will save money for Florida families who pay a cell phone, satellite or cable TV bill. Florida’s budget had over a $1 billion budget surplus this year because of the hard work of Floridians, and this tax cut package will send more than $400 million back to the people who earned it. I applaud the Florida House and the Florida Senate for their work on this legislation and I look forward to working with them to keep cutting taxes next year and to keep Florida working.”  Gov. Scott signed the bill into Law on Tuesday, June 16. Legislators returned to Tallahassee June 1 after failing to pass a budget during their regular session. State government will be partially shut down if a new budget isn't in place by July 1. The broad-based tax relief for Florida’s families and businesses is part of the “Work Plan 2015” joint agenda announced by Senate President Andy Gardiner (R-Orlando) and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli (R-Merritt Island) earlier this year. For more information on House Bill 33-A, including a full list of tax reductions and exemptions contained in the Senate amendment, visit www.FLSenate.gov.