TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – This week, Florida state lawmakers are set to discuss a proposed bill that would consider eliminating sales and property taxes.
More specifically, the proposal (SPB 7034) would eliminate sales taxes for most clothing and shoes, adding them to the list of tax-exempt essential items like food and medicine.
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In a memo discussing the proposal, state Sen. Ben Albritton (R-Bartow) wrote that eradicating these taxes would “make a true and lasting impact” for many families in Florida.
“Targeting tax relief to clothing and shoes priced at $75 or less covers clothes for growing kids and teenagers, as well as essential items adults and seniors have to replace more frequently due to normal wear and tear,” the memo reads.
While Florida has a track record of implementing back-to-school tax holidays that similarly remove sales taxes from clothing items, Albritton notes that SPB 7034 would remove them throughout the year.
“We all know that life doesn’t always wait for a sales tax holiday,” he continued. “Kids grow, mom has a new job interview, or grandpa needs walking shoes — things come up, and year-round, permanent savings on essentials matters."
But that’s not the only feature of SPB 7034.
PROPERTY TAXES
In his memo, Albritton also discusses a secondary consideration of the proposal: getting rid of property taxes.
It mirrors another bill (SB 852) filed back in February that would put together a study examining the possible effects of eradicating property taxes statewide.
According to Albritton, such a study would have to include the following information:
- An analysis of the potential impact of eliminating property taxes on public services, including education, infrastructure, public safety, and emergency services
- An assessment of potential housing market fluctuations, including changes in homeownership rates and property values
- An analysis of consumer behavior regarding home improvements that currently result in property tax increases (such as raising homes in flood-prone areas or adding a mother-in-law suite) and whether reducing/eliminating property taxes would change consumer behavior leading to an increase in resiliency
Under this bill, the proposal would be used by lawmakers to craft a constitutional amendment for voters to consider during the 2026 General Election.
However, there’s one last aspect of the bill that Albritton discussed.
TAX HOLIDAYS
SPB 7034 would also renew several sales tax holidays from years past for 2025. Those tax holidays are as follows:
| Tax Holiday | Dates | Examples of Eligible Items |
|---|---|---|
| Back-to-School | Aug. 1 - 10 | School supplies, backpacks, learning aids, computers and educational software |
| Disaster Preparedness | June 2-25 | Flashlights, lanterns, radios, tarps, coolers, batteries, fuel tanks, smoke detectors and generators |
| Freedom Month | July 1 - 31 | Tickets for events like concerts or movies, outdoor supplies, electric scooters and home pool equipment |
| Skilled Worker | Aug. 29 - Sept. 7 | Certain hand tools, power tools, work boots, toolboxes and plumbing/electrical equipment |
| Hunting Season | Sept. 15 - Oct. 19 | Ammunition, firearms, crossbows and related accessories |
In addition, the bill would extend a 2023 freeze on local cell phone and TV taxes until 2031.
Furthermore, SPB 7034 would create a “Home Away From Home” tax credit, which applies to Florida businesses that contribute to charities that house families of critically ill children while they travel for a child’s care.
“In my view, this proposal encompasses an ‘all of the above’ approach to broad-based tax relief, balancing key priorities announced by Gov. DeSantis and the Florida House in a targeted manner that offers meaningful, long-term tax relief for families and seniors,” Albritton said.
The proposed bill is set to go before a Senate committee for consideration on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m.
If the bill were to become law, it is scheduled to take effect on July 1.
