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Florida businesses could see several tax breaks from state lawmakers this year. Among them, a property tax on business items such as desks, chairs, or computers. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, the current taxing system could be keeping some business owners from expanding.

On any given night, as many as fifty college students fill these cubicles, conducting polls or urging voters to get out and vote. The computers are old, but they work. Owner Linda Cherry says buying new computers would force her to pay a tangible personal property tax.

She told a Senate committee the tax was keeping her and others from expanding.

“We are wanting to move into more equipment, but there’s a consideration of the cost of it, the sales tax we pay on it, and the tangible tax that we pay year after year after year until it’s depreciated,” Cherry said.

Every business, big and small, in Florida must pay a yearly tax on their equipment.

The yearly tax bill on this computer: just about 34 dollars.

The tax makes up just over seven percent of all property taxes collected in Florida. The first 25 thousand in valuation is exempt. Lawmakers want to double that to 50 thousand…but also want the authority to do away with the tax all together.

“You’re taxed on your desk, your chair, your computer, your copy machine,” Sen. Nancy Detert (R-Venice) said. “And you’re not taxed once, you’re taxed every single year.”

Voters do have to approve any changes. Cities, counties and schools may all be potential opponents to the change, especially if there is no replacement source of cash.

If the measure passes both the House and Senate, it will appear on the November ballot. Making it into the constitution requires a sixty percent approval level from voters.