TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A Florida bill aimed at expanding tax breaks for Florida residents got its first legs on Tuesday after being approved by a Senate committee.
The bill (SPB 7034) includes a variety of different kinds of tax breaks, including sales taxes, property taxes, and even a credit for car registrations.
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Several of the most notable changes included in the proposal are as follows:
SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS
The bill exempts clothing and shoes under $75 from sales taxes.
The exemption also applies to gold, silver or platinum bullion with a sales price of under $500.
Current law already allows for an exemption for these types of bullion at a sales price over $500, so this change would simply act as an extension of that rule.
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 | May 15 - 31 | Flashlights, lanterns, radios, tarps, coolers, batteries, fuel tanks, smoke detectors and generators |
| Freedom Month | June 1 - July 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. 8 - Dec. 31 | Ammunition, firearms, crossbows and related accessories |
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 addition, the bill would extend a 2023 freeze on local cell phone and TV taxes until 2031.
CAR REGISTRATION CREDIT
SPB 7034 would establish a one-time credit for motor vehicle registrations that are active on June 30, or for any new registrations issued as of July 1.
This credit would equal the annual license tax owed for that registration, along with any ancillary fees.
Under this bill, the credit would be applied the next time that a car’s registration is renewed or a new registration is issued.
PROPERTY TAXES
While many Florida lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis have pushed for major reductions to property taxes across the state, actual property tax cuts would require a Constitutional amendment.
However, SPB 7034 does aim to make some changes involving property taxes, including the following:
- Residents appealing property tax assessments may appear remotely during a hearing
- Limits tax assessments of tangible personal property owned and operated by a citrus packinghouse/processor at salvage value in 2025 — as opposed to market value — if the property is no longer used due to the effects of citrus greening
- Exempts property used for educational purposes when any portion is used by a child care facility that achieved Gold Seal Quality status
The proposal also calls for a study examining the potential for eliminating property taxes altogether, mirroring another Senate bill filed earlier this year.
The study would have to include details like the potential impact on public services, as well as consumer behaviors involving home improvements that currently result in property tax increases (for example, raising homes in flood-prone areas or adding a mother-in-law suite).
Under this bill, this information would be used by lawmakers to craft a constitutional amendment for voters to consider during the 2026 General Election.
The proposed bill was approved by a vote of 3-1 during Tuesday’s Senate committee meeting.
If the bill manages to get approval from the full Legislature and is signed into law, it will take effect on July 1.