Fla.: Lawmakers approve sales tax break |
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Wed, 25 Apr 2007 18:22
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Back-to-school shopping will be a little bit cheaper with a 10-day break in August from state and local sales tax passed Wednesday by the Legislature and sent to Gov. Charlie Crist.Florida residents have benefited from the exemption of certain items from the state's 6 percent sales tax and local option sales taxes for several years. The popular break is expected to cost the state nearly $40 million in sales tax collections.The bill (SB 1456), sponsored by Rep. Marti Coley, R-Marianna, passed the House unanimously. It had earlier passed the Senate.If Crist signs the bill, there would be no sales tax on books, clothes, shoes, wallets, and bags costing $50 or less, and certain other school supplies costing $10 or less, from Aug. 4-13 at most Florida stores.Crist hasn't said yet whether he'll sign the bill.The bill exempts sales of items at theme parks, entertainment complexes, hotels and airports.Because the proposal also eliminates the local option sales tax during the period, it is expected to reduce local tax collections by about $9 million.Florida residents have received the back-to-school sales tax break several times in the last decade, but lawmakers have to re-approve it each year.Retailers enthusiastically support the measure each year, because they say it increases sales significantly in some stores.Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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