If passed, the bill would eliminate the sales tax that business owners pay on commercial leases.

PINELLAS COUNTY – State Rep. Larry Ahern, R-Seminole, filed legislation Monday (Oct. 23) that would eliminate the state sales tax Florida business owners pay on their commercial leases.

The legislation would provide a sales tax exemption on the total rent paid for the right to use or occupy commercial real property.

“Florida is the only state that imposes a standard, statewide sales tax on commercial real estate leases,” Ahern said. “This bill will have a positive and direct effect on the bottom line for small businesses first, and larger businesses in the coming years.”

• The exemption for the first year would be for businesses that pay up to $10,000 per year in state sales tax; second year, $20,000; third year, $30,000.
• It would cover all leases and contractual agreements with rent and license fees regardless of terms and length of agreement.
• The exemption would increase by $10,000 each year until the total exemption is $90,000, and the remainder repealed completely in the 10th year.

“This will give our state another competitive advantage in attracting new businesses, and provide some much needed tax relief for the job creators currently affected by this additional overhead,” Ahern said.

Ahern represents House District 66, which includes Seminole, a portion of Clearwater, the beach communities of Belleair Beach, Belleair Shores, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, and a portion of unincorporated Pinellas County that includes the Ridgecrest and Bardmoor areas.

For information about Ahern, go to larryahern.com.

Larry Ahern | Sales Tax | Business Tax | Tax Exemption | Tampabay News | TB Reporter

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