A special conference call was held February 29th for FAIFA state and local association leaders with FAIFA Lobbyist Tim Meenan. The purpose of the call was to organize a political action plan for contacting members of the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission (TBRC) to express our concern over the imposition of a sales tax on services. FAIFA leaders are being tasked with meeting with the TBRC members who reside in their area to let them know of our opposition to this tax and the reasons why.

The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission is a constitutionally-created entity that is formed for the purpose of examining Florida’s budgetary process, revenue needs, expenditure processes, the appropriateness of the state’s tax structure as well as governmental productivity and efficiency, among other things. There are 29 members.

We have little doubt that one of the services that would be taxed would be agent commissions. Further, we have little doubt that the possibility of passing along such a tax in premiums would be unlikely, particularly in the short term; therefore it would come right off our bottom line.

FAIFA beat this tax when it was proposed in the past, and we are fighting hard to kill it again. So far it has been prevented from getting out of committee, but we will not rest, as it can be brought up again at any time. Also, given the present fiscal climate, it could also appear in the regular Legislative Session which begins March 4th. We will be letting Representatives and Senators know of our opposition to this type of tax during FAIFA’s Legislative Day on the Hill, on March 10th and will brief FAIFA members at that time.

We strongly urge you to attend the Day on the Hill to help us lobby this issue and many others. To register for FAIFA’s Legislative Day on the Hill click here.