Is it true that Florida doesn't have an income tax and

[mediaman007]

in the month of August the state collects no gas tax?

I live in Minnesota and I think that we have a history of progressive taxes. If I pay taxes here so my government can provide services, I think that the government should ask its citizens to pay something so the state has services available to its needy. As we can tell, the needy are not always the poor.

Further, I can't believe the number of stories of people with no insurance!

I will send my donation, but I can't believe a state with a potential for weather damage every year must depend on donations and the Federal government.

May be I'm wrong about the taxes.

Comments?

[madfloridian]

1. No state income tax. No sales tax in August on some items.

Over 8 billion in corporate tax cuts. I have more if you want it.

[MercutioATC]

2. Seven states have no personal income tax.

Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Two others, New Hampshire and Tennessee, tax only dividend and interest income.

[NV Whino]

12. The "no tax" thing can be a bit deceiving

For instance, Nevada relies on its gambling industry to provide state income. Don't know about the other states, but I suspect there is something that provides state income.

[MercutioATC]

13. True, that's why I used the qualifier "personal income tax"...

Tax laws are so convoluted that it's difficult to make absolute statements like "no tax".

[lottie244]

18. Tolls, water rights, property taxes, school taxes, auto and luxary taxes

there are lots of ways to raise revenues for states. High fees for almost any kind of business you want to conduct.

[StClone]

22. Florida

Relies heavily on tourist income. That is why if boycotting ever got to be fashionable Florida could be hurt dearly.

[Malikshah]

3. And we wonder why Florida Education is

so bad.

As a Floridian, this tax situation is bad. The Lotto says it gives money for education-- yes it does, but as it gives money then the state doesn't allocate money. In other words, there's no ADDITIONAL money for education...

Jeb's sinister plan is to have students opt out of their senior year in HS via CLEPing out of course or taking them via the internet....

It's sick sick sick.

[istruthfull]

9. Vouchers

Not only that with the vouchers a noticeable percentage of funds are being funneled out of public school to private schools. This grading system is just an excuse to give schools less money and to bury Principles in paperwork.

[Malikshah]

11. And we all know now how these vouchers and charter schools work

It's all coming home to roost for the BFEE

[mediaman007]

4. How do these states handle disasters?

Are they responsible or do they expect the rest of the United States to kick in the amount necessary to recover. If Minnesota helps to rebuild itself, shouldn't other states?

[napi21]

5. The other thing they don't have is an estate tax.

Few people realize that the estate tax at the federal level is only imposed upon the very wealthy. States are not the same.

My mother passed away in Pa. Hwe estate was valued at $74,000. We had to pay Pennsylvania Estate Taxes.

There's a reason why lots of people move to Fla. when they retire, and it has nothing to do with the weather!

[Warpy]

6. When you've been beggared by 30 years of Federal bungling

and GOP class warfare, your money doesn't go very far.

Just as there's little left over for social needs at the federal and state level, there's little left over within the household for anything beyond necessities. When it comes to choosing what to pay for and what not to pay for, insurance is something that generally gets cut first, since it covers something which may happen and you know if you don't pay that light bill, an electricity cutoff WILL happen. If you don't get that $150 prescription for those heart pills, you WILL get sicker.

I don't fault those people for not having insurance. I fault the 30 years of class warfare that left them unable to afford it.

[DaveFL99]

7. We like to let the tourists pay for things.

You buggers come in here and use our roads and our beaches like they belong to you so we decided YOU should pay for them. No sales tax on items in August, have you figured that one out ? Well, who isn't in Florida in August ? Tourists that's who ! Loud obnoxious tourists with their bad Hawiian shirts and roaring red sun burns. We'll save the sales taxes for you.

[Killarney]

14. well that welcoming attitude really makes me want to travel to FL for vaca

NOT

;)

[DaveFL99]

16. Welcome ?

Did anyone say welcome ? Do you have any idea how fast we're running out of water down here ? What in the world made you think you were welcome ?

[Killarney]

25. probably because your economy depends on tourism?

duh

(when not in a state of emergency, obviously)

[DaveFL99]

29. Yes, absolutely. You're money is welcome.

Come on down and spend some. Be sure to spend it on taxable items. It keeps us from needing an income tax

[istruthfull]

8. state taxes

That's an 8 cent tax break on gas, they still get some gas tax. Seeings that we have no state income tax they supplement with lower wages. A brick layer has to look hard to find a job that pays more than a little over minium wage, the same with a painter. Years ago I had a job in Dayton OH that paid over $8 hr and here in FL they Paid $3.65 for the same job with no benefits to speak of.
When Gov Bush took over we had a surplus ... for 30 days. Gov Bush wouldn't pay ACLF federal funds given to the state and many, many have closed because of it. Programs for disabled and handicapped people were the first things to go. The list goes on. He really need to learn that he works for the state of FL and it is not his little "Kingdom".

[alcuno]

10. The "no gas tax in August" just started this year.

It's very strange because I barely saw the price of gas move so methinks the oil companies are soaking up the difference.

Jeb and the Republicans like to throw crumbs to the citizenry, like no sales tax on school supplies, so that they are grateful. Meanwhile, they squander millions on their failed education plans.

[dryan]

15. No gas tax in August....

is new this year. We have had a no sales tax on clothes and school items off and on for several years. By the way, then disasters have happened in other states, (9/11, earthquakes in California, etc.) Floridians always donate.

[alcuno]

17. I'm from Florida.

Floridians are generally good people. However, this "no gas tax in August" thing seems cuckoo.

[DaveFL99]

20. I was thinking we should double the gas tax in

Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar and Apr. Then we could eliminate it for the rest of the year and probably bring in even more rev than we do now.

[Peregrine]

19. But Florida gets its money

My real estate tax in Florida is the same as it was in Maryland (where repubs have labeled the state as a tax hell) and my FL home is worth about 70% of the one in MD. You should see the state taxes on utilities, double what I paid in MD.

The only "income tax" is the tax on stock and bond holdings, something like $1/$1000 in holdings.

[DoYouEverWonder]

21. This is how Florida makes money

Yes there is no state income tax.

Sales tax and property taxes are the main sources of income for the state.

Lately, the state has given everyone a one week amnesty from sales tax on clothing, usually during the first week of August. They time it to be a couple of weeks before school opens. What people don't realize is that they are better off waiting one more week and paying the sales tax because that is when the stores run their big sales.

For the first time, this August the state has suspended the sales tax on gasoline.

In addition, there are assorted corporate taxes, tangible, intangible and workmen's comp, that businesses have to pay. For Jeb's first term he cut the intangible taxes several times and cost the state billions of dollars.

Public schools are paid for via property taxes. Of course, counties with higher incomes have more money for schools. Add that to the way Jeb grades schools and the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.


Edit: Oops, I left out a big one, Florida Corporate Income Tax. Individuals do not pay income tax on their earnings, but corporations do pay income tax on their profits to both the Federal and State governments.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

23. THis just demonstrates why sales tax is regressive and harms the poor

[JCMach1]

24. Floridians are being gouged on the Gas tax holiday

Grand total of stations actually lowering prices...


1= It's in Starke, FL on S. Highway 100... PPG= 1.71

I know of NO other stations doing this...

It's a giveaway to the station owners.

[DaveSZ]

26. No income tax in Texas

however there is a property tax which can be quite sticky.

[camero]

27. Not only that

But also there are more exemptions to the sales tax on a per dollar basis than there are things that are taxed. I believe the figures are $20 billion in exemptions while they collect $11 billion per year in sales tax.

Politicians only try to fix this before they retire and it gets voted down everytime.

[dryan]

28. Please.....

let's layoff criticizing Florida for a while. Right now we are reeling from the 15th worst hurricane in the history of the United States.