Florida State Income Tax? It's Unthinkable

[Herman Munster]

http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGBTE3ICK0F.html

TALLAHASSEE - One legislative proposal would reduce Florida's rapidly rising property taxes by increasing the state sales tax. Another would raise property taxes for homeowners to lower the bills for other taxpayers. One potential new revenue source, though common in most states, remains unthinkable and unmentionable in Florida: a personal income tax. "It's a terrible way to tax," said House Policy and Budget Committee Chairman Ray Sansom. "We would never consider something like that. That would be the last thing. It's sort of over our dead bodies."

Sansom, R-Destin, said House Republicans never gave income tax the slightest thought when they came up with their tax-swap proposal. It would increase the 6 percent statewide sales tax to as much as 8.5 percent - making it the nation's highest - in exchange for abolishing property tax on primary homes, known as homesteads.Senate Democrats also never considered an income tax when they drew up their proposal to increase property taxes on homesteads, already limited to increases of no more than 3 percent a year, as a way to lower taxes on businesses, second homes and other properties.

Florida's income tax aversion dates to 1924, when voters banned it through an amendment to the state constitution. The state remains a tax haven decades later, one of only seven states without a personal income tax. The others are Alaska, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.

The chances of lifting Florida's income tax ban appear as remote as ever, even though the state's constitutional Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, which is meeting this year and next, has the power to review Florida's entire tax structure and place amendments on the ballot. "People say let's don't even waste our time talking about that because it is politically impossible," said commission member Talbot "Sandy" D'Alemberte, a law professor and president emeritus of Florida State University.

[magellan]

1. Trust the Repugs to want to abolish property taxes

...and force EVERYONE in FL to make up the difference in a regressive sales tax. Idiots.

The problem is that property taxes are out of control in SOME areas. I don't see why all of Florida should have to bite the bullet for some. Maybe the state should consider capping property taxes in hot areas. Or, hey, how about slowing down development and the resulting influx to a manageable rate.

[napi21]

3. Oh, a state imcom tax would surely slow down influx! That's one of the

reasons so many retire there. They also don't have any estate taxes...yet another reason a lot of wealthy people retire there! Actually they should consider an estate tax instead of an income tax. They'd get a lot more revenue and wouldn't harm anyone but the greedy heirs.

[magellan]

5. Repugs consider an estate tax? Ha!

Thank you for the laugh!

I wouldn't mind a state income tax; I've had to pay tax in every other state I've lived in. But the other options proposed are just pure garbage, more ways to screw the have-nots.

[BamaLefty]

4. That's nothing

Alabama has the worst tax system in the nation.

Individual income taxes here represent 33% of the total while sales is a close 26.7%. It's the most sickening and regressive system in the nation.

[drm604]

2. God forbid they consider a progressive form of taxation!

:crazy:

[wakeme2008]

6. Florida used to have an estate and stock and bonds tax

but Jeb did away with it which forced local governments to up property taxes...

[SoCalDem]

7. Why not? California gave us $182 tax exemption for 2006

Isn't that special?:eyes:

$91 freaking dollars per person exemption to live here:grr: