There are proposals being discussed right now to make sweeping tax reforms throughout Florida.  When the legislature is in session you never know what interesting ideas they might come up with.  Additionally this year Florida's Taxation and Budget Reform Commission is considering putting some amendments on the November ballot.

There is one bill that would eliminate the school tax portion of property taxes in return for a higher sales tax and an elimination of many sales tax exemptions (mainly on services - like lawyers, lawn mowing, haircuts, tax preparation, and yes real estate commissions).

Another proposal is a taxpayer bill of rights that would put a cap on government revenues.  And yet another proposal is House Speaker Marco Rubio's baby of limiting property taxes to 1.35% of their assessed value. 

I am glad to see that the politicians in Tallahassee have gotten the message on tax reform.  As I am writing this, I am stamping the envelope for a $4000 property tax check to the Orange County Tax Collector for a little duplex I own that rents for $700 per side.  Yep that's right, nearly 25% of every penny of rent is going to pay the property taxes and I don't even live in the stinking county. Today was the last day to pay before the taxes go delinquent.

Now is the time to be contacting your legislators. Before they vote on anything, please make your voice heard. You can go to the Florida Legislature's website to look up information on any bills or to contact your legislator.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Copyright © 2008. Sand Dollar Realty Group, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Rob Arnold, ABR, CPL, CRB, GRI, Managing real estate broker, Licensed mortgage broker, Notary Public

407-389-7318 / 1-877-389-7318    www.SDRhouses.com/   www.WeBuyHousesFlorida.com/

Your full service and investor friendly Realtor in Orlando. Learn to invest in Central Florida real estate and Orlando real estate. Investor mentoring and counseling available. I also provide flat fee MLS listings, For Sale By Owner, and menu-based services in most parts of Central & South Florida, the Space Coast, and the Treasure Coast including Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, Bradenton, Miami-Dade, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Port Saint Lucie, Ocala, Gainesville, Volusia, and Brevard.

We buy houses cash, sell properties, and list properties in Central Florida including Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland, College Park, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Apopka, Pine Hills, Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Longwood, Winter Springs, Oviedo, Lake Mary, Sanford, Deltona, Debary, Deland, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, Mount Dora, Eustis, Leesburg, Clermont, Kissimmee, Saint Cloud, Davenport, Winter Haven, Lakeland, and more.