It’s that time of year when individuals and businesses look to the new year and start planning for better brighter things. In Florida, there were a number of voter issues that impacted that. Specifically, Hillsborough County voters approved two surtax increases. Starting January 1 2019, Hillsborough County will add a 1% Charter County and Regional Transportation System surtax and a .5% School Capital Outlay Surtax. When you add that to the previous .5% indigent care surtax and .5% local government infrastructure surtax, the combined sales tax rate will be 8.5% for the combined state and county surtax rate.
All taxable sales subject to Hillsborough County surtax will need to apply these rates as of January 1st. The increased combined tax rate does not change exemptions or exclusions from tax. For any taxable amounts under a dollar or falling between whole dollar amounts, you should check the Department’s bracket rates applicable to the new combined rate.
We can help with any questions you might have about the new tax rate in Hillsborough County or any other Florida tax questions you might have going into the new year. We offer a free initial consultation and help address the best possible way to identify and correct sales tax calculation and reporting errors to help try and avoid a bad tax situation from becoming worse. While taxes may be going up, your exposure doesn’t have to increase also.
About the author: Mr. Parker is a sales and use tax attorney and an associate in the law firm the Law Offices of Moffa, Sutton, & Donnini, P.A., based in the firm's Tampa office. Mr. Parker's practice includes state tax audits and controversies involving sales and use tax and all other state taxes including communication service tax, cigarette & tobacco tax, motor fuel tax, and Native American taxation. Mr. Parker received his law degree and L.L.M. in Taxation from the University of Florida. You can read more about Mr. Parker on his firm bio.
About the firm: At the Law Office of Moffa, Sutton, & Donnini, PA, our primary practice area is Florida taxes, with a very heavy emphasis in Florida sales and use tax. We have defended clients against Florida sales and use taxes for more than 25 years with over 100 years of cumulative experience working for our firm. Our partners are both CPAs/Accountants and Attorneys, so we understand both the accounting side of the situation as well as the legal side. We represent taxpayers and business owners from the entire State of Florida. Call our offices today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION to confidentially discuss how we can help put this nightmare behind you.
AUTHORITY
TIP-18A01-24 – Hillsborough County Surtax Rate Increase
Form DR-2X
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Florida Discretionary Sales Surtax: DOR Errors, published May 11, 2014, by Matthew Parkers, Esq.
FL SALES TAX: $5,000 SURTAX CAP ON BULK SALES, published July 4, 2018, by James Sutton, CPA, Esq.