Taxes

Florida TaxWatch launched its Property Tax Research Center to help clear up any confusion on the Amendment 3 property tax proposal that voters will decide on Nov. 3.

The overhaul could jeopardize ferry service and eliminate many of the county’s 40 bus routes.

For organizations such as the Escambia Children’s Trust, the outcome could determine how much funding is available for programs designed to support children and families in their communities.

City officials made clear they don’t intend to wait until after the November election to begin preparing for the possibility that Amendment 3 passes.

The exchange comes as Gov. DeSantis is simultaneously pushing a statewide proposal that could eventually eliminate property taxes on homesteaded properties altogether.

If approved, the legislative measure could effectively resolve the central dispute in the school board’s lawsuit by clarifying in state law that schools should not bear the collection costs.

The Legislature plans to vote on the bill on Friday, along with the $114.5 billion budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

Presentations from the team and city staff are slated on how Tampa can cover a proposed $251 million share of the project's financing through a CRA and the Community Investment Tax.

County staff presented a combination of funding options, including an additional sales tax for residents or increased mobility taxes on new housing developments.

Commissioner Ken Hagan tells WDAE existing restricted revenues can fund most of the county's share, but critics of the plan say taxpayers are still exposed through reserves and emergency dollars.

In 2025, the nonprofit's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program prepared nearly 10,000 tax returns for families, totaling $10 million in refunds and unpaid fees.

The office has revoked key licenses of more than two dozen companies that allegedly do business in Cuba, according to enforcement letters seen by WLRN. A critic calls the move a "fiscal drive-by."